Airtel Network Down: How to Use Wi-Fi Calling to Stay Connected During Outage

Airtel subscribers across major Indian cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, faced widespread connectivity issues on Monday as reports of an Airtel outage flooded social media platforms. Many users complained that they were unable to make calls, access mobile data, or use essential apps, triggering searches such as “Airtel down today,” “Airtel not working,” and “Airtel network issue.”

While Airtel has yet to provide an official clarification on the root cause, customers experienced patchy signals, frequent call drops, and in some areas, a complete blackout of services. The disruption has caused significant inconvenience, especially for those dependent on mobile data for work and communication.

How Airtel users can make calls with Wi-Fi Calling

In case the Airtel mobile network is down, subscribers can rely on Wi-Fi Calling to make and receive regular phone calls using their Airtel number. Most modern smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, support this feature. By enabling Wi-Fi Calling, calls are routed through an internet connection instead of a mobile tower, allowing uninterrupted communication. Importantly, the recipient of the call does not need to have Wi-Fi Calling enabled for the service to work.

How to enable Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Mobile Data (or Cellular)
3. Select Wi-Fi Calling
4. Toggle on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone
5. Confirm emergency address if prompted
   Once activated, the status bar will display “Airtel Wi-Fi” or “Wi-Fi” while calling.

How to enable Wi-Fi Calling on Android phones

(Steps may vary by device brand)

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Network & Internet or Connections
3. Tap Mobile Network (or SIM & Network)
4. Enable Wi-Fi Calling

• On some devices: Calls > Wi-Fi Calling
• On Samsung: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling

When active, a Wi-Fi calling icon will appear next to the signal bars, ensuring calls are placed through your Wi-Fi connection instead of the mobile network.

Tip for uninterrupted calling

Ensure your smartphone remains connected to a stable Wi-Fi network such as home broadband, otherwise calls may fail during the Airtel outage.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Network disruptions may vary by region, and users are advised to follow official updates from Airtel for accurate information.