You’re on solid WiFi. WiFi Calling is enabled. Calls might work. And yet the text you actually need never shows up (yep, OTP codes love doing this at the worst time).

SMS Not Received on WiFi Calling? In this guide, I’ll walk you through what’s usually happening, the fastest fixes that don’t trash your settings, and what to do when you need a verification code right now, including a clean fallback path using PVAPins.

Why SMS fails on WiFi Calling in 60 seconds

Here’s the deal: when texts don’t come in over WiFi Calling, it’s usually one of three things.

1. Your carrier doesn’t support that specific message type over WiFi Calling.
2. Your phone isn’t correctly registered on the carrier’s network layer (IMS), or
3. Your messages are quietly routing to the wrong line (dual SIM/eSIM).

Apple’s carrier docs make it clear that features such as WiFi Calling (and related messaging behaviour) can vary by carrier and setup.

One quick mindset shift that saves time: WiFi Calling enabled isn’t the same as WiFi Calling active and properly registered. That gap is where many missing texts live.

SMS vs MMS vs RCS vs internet messages: what you’re actually missing

Before you fix anything, confirm what kind of message isn’t arriving:

• SMS: plain text (OTP codes and short codes usually land here)
• MMS: group texts, photos, videos
• RCS: chat-style features (common on Android)
• Internet messages: app-based messages that don’t rely on carrier SMS

These don’t all travel the same route, so they don’t break the same way. Half the confusion comes from people saying texts when they mean three different systems.

The 3 most common culprits

Here’s your quick reality check:

• Carrier support mismatch: WiFi Calling is on, but your plan/region/device combo doesn’t support the exact feature you’re trying to use. Apple’s carrier support page is the easiest place to double-check. 
• IMS/VoLTE provisioning issue: your phone can’t properly register for carrier IP voice/messaging services, so delivery gets weird and flaky. Rohde & Schwarz breaks down how IMS underpins voice + SMS over modern LTE/IMS networks. 
• Wrong line routing dual SIM or eSIM: the OTP is going to the other SIM, or your default SMS line isn’t what you think it is (super common).

Fix the checklist, works for most phones.

Direct answer first: if you’re dealing with SMS not received on WiFi calling, start with toggles and re-registration, test on a second WiFi network, and confirm your messaging settings allow SMS fallback. If it still fails, you’re looking at carrier provisioning or IMS/VoLTE, not bad WiFi.

Now let’s knock out the easy wins.

Toggle WiFi Calling & reboot the radio, the soft reset that actually helps

This one’s not glamorous, but it works more often than it should.

1. Turn WiFi Calling OFF
2. Turn Aeroplane Mode ON for ~10 seconds
3. Turn Aeroplane Mode OFF
4. Turn WiFi Calling ON
5. Restart your phone

Why it helps: You’re forcing your phone to re-register. If texts start failing after a WiFi change (new router, hotel WiFi, VPN), this can clear the jam without you doing anything drastic.

Confirm message settings

On iPhone, if specific threads or group messages aren’t arriving, check whether your device can fall back cleanly to SMS/MMS when needed. Apple’s carrier support and feature guidance are good reference points when you’re trying to figure out whether your setup should work in the first place. 

On Android, also confirm:

• Your default SMS app is set correctly (and updated)
• You haven’t accidentally blocked short codes or turned on aggressive filtering

Update carrier settings

This sounds basic, but carrier settings updates can absolutely affect WiFi Calling registration and routing.

• Update your phone OS
• Accept carrier settings updates if prompted
• If your carrier account has a WiFi Calling toggle, make sure it’s enabled (some carriers still require this)

If you’re in the US, Apple’s carrier feature support page is handy. Is this even supported? check. 

iPhone fixes: WiFi Calling not receiving texts on iOS

If your iPhone is acting up, the pattern is usually the same: confirm SMS fallback, confirm carrier support, and only then consider a network reset. Apple’s own carrier support documentation makes the carrier side of this hard to ignore. 

Force SMS fallback and verify carrier support

Two quick checks:

• In Settings → Messages, confirm your phone can send as SMS when needed (this matters when internet-style messaging fails).
• Verify that your carrier supports WiFi Calling and related features for your model. Apple’s carrier support list is the cleanest reference for this. 

If app-based messages arrive fine but OTP codes don’t, you’re missing valid carrier SMS, not messaging in general.

Network reset: when it’s worth it and what it wipes

A Reset Network Settings can fix stubborn registration issues. But yeah, it wipes saved WiFi networks and VPN settings.

It’s worth doing when:

• WiFi Calling is stuck activating
• SMS works on cellular but not on WiFi Calling
• You recently changed SIM/eSIM or carriers

It’s annoying to re-enter WiFi passwords. Still, it is usually faster than guessing for an hour.

Android fixes: WiFi Calling not receiving texts on Android

On Android, missing texts usually come down to default SMS app setup, carrier config updates, or IMS registration not sticking. The baseline is simple: confirm your SMS app, update it, and troubleshoot connectivity before you reset everything.

Google Messages or default SMS app sanity checks

If you use Google Messages, their official troubleshooting checklist is genuinely helpful (network checks, app updates, connection issues). It’s worth running through once before you go deeper. 

Also check:

• Battery optimisation isn’t killing your SMS app in the background
• You didn’t block unknown senders or short codes by accident
• Date/time are correct (weirdly, verification flows can get picky)

Carrier Services or network reset basics

Some Android setups rely on carrier components to maintain stable messaging and registration.

Try this sequence:

• Update OS + messaging app
• Disable VPN / Private DNS temporarily to test
• Test on a different WiFi network (hotel WiFi with captive portals is a repeat offender)

If nothing changes, a network settings reset can clear stale registration as a last resort, but sometimes it’s the only thing that sticks.

VoLTE or IMS: the hidden reason WiFi Calling SMS won’t deliver

Most quick-fix posts skip this, so let’s not: WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) and modern carrier voice/messaging often rely on IMS, the same backbone used for VoLTE. If your phone isn’t provisioned adequately on IMS, you can get the classic headache: calls work but SMS doesn’t (or vice versa).

What IMS registration means

IMS is your carrier’s IP service layer for features such as VoLTE, VoWiFi, and (in many deployments) SMS over IMS. When your phone can’t sign in properly, delivery turns inconsistent. 

If you want a deeper technical read (without wading through pure standards text), the Rohde & Schwarz application note explains how voice and SMS fit into IMS/LTE architectures. 

Why VoLTE toggles can break SMS over WiFi

On many carriers, VoLTE/VoWiFi/IMS features are packaged together. So if:

• VoLTE is off.
• Your SIM isn’t provisioned correctly.
• Or your carrier profile didn’t update,

WiFi Calling may turn on, but SMS routing still fails.

Practical move: if your phone has a VoLTE/4 G Calling toggle, try re-toggling it, reboot, then test a basic SMS again. If it still fails, that’s a strong hint you need carrier support to verify provisioning.

Dual SIM or eSIM problems: your texts are going to the other line

Dual SIM/eSIM setups are great right up until verification codes start landing on the wrong line.

Do this:

• Identify your default SMS line
• Temporarily set one line as the default for SMS and retest OTP delivery
• If you recently swapped SIMs or added an eSIM, restart and re-enable WiFi Calling

Micro-opinion: if you rely on OTPs daily (work tools, finance apps, marketplaces), having one stable line for SMS verification is way calmer than constantly guessing.

Travelling abroad: not receiving SMS on WiFi Calling internationally

Travel adds a new layer of chaos: roaming rules, carrier restrictions, and registration weirdness on unfamiliar WiFi networks. Some carriers support WiFi Calling abroad, but it’s plan- and carrier-dependent, so the smart move is to set it up before you leave and test it once you land. 

Aeroplane mode & WiFi Calling: when it works and when it doesn’t

Aeroplane mode blocks cellular radios, but WiFi can stay on. If WiFi Calling registers successfully, you might receive SMS that way. If it doesn’t register, you won’t.

Quick test:

1. Turn on aeroplane mode
2. Turn WiFi on
3. Confirm that WiFi Calling shows as active
4. Ask someone to send a basic SMS

If the indicator never shows as active, you’re not truly on WiFi Calling, so SMS won’t magically appear.

Roaming rules that surprise people

Common gotchas:

• Captive portals (hotel WiFi login pages) disrupt registration
• VPN/Private DNS can interfere with carrier service registration
• Some carriers treat international WiFi Calling differently from domestic use

If the message is business-critical, don’t rely on a single point of failure while travelling. Have a backup.

United States vs India: what’s different

Short version: in the US, provisioning and carrier feature support are usually the make-or-break. In India, VoWiFi availability has been expanding, but behaviour can still vary by carrier, handset, and rollout status.

US: carrier provisioning is the make-or-break

In the US, WiFi Calling often depends on:

• The carrier enabling it on your line
• Your device model + software version
• Whether your plan supports the feature

Apple’s US/Canada carrier support page is a solid reference for iPhone setups.

And if you’re on Verizon specifically, their official troubleshooter spells out common reasons texts fail and what to check first. 

India: VoWiFi availability is expanding. Check your carrier settings.

India’s landscape is moving fast. For example, Financial Express reports that BSNL is rolling out VoWiFi services across all circles in India, including voice and SMS over WiFi.

Takeaway: even if WiFi Calling appears on your phone, SMS delivery can still be inconsistent until your specific line or device is fully provisioned.

Free vs low-cost virtual numbers for verification: what should you use?

If your goal is verification/OTP (not chatting), a temp number can be a practical backup, but free public inbox numbers are often blocked or risky for sensitive accounts. A safer approach is to use one-time activations for quick signups or rentals for ongoing 2FA, and to choose private/non-VoIP options when an app is strict.

And quick compliance note (because it matters): PVAPins is not affiliated with [any app]. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.

When free or public numbers are fine and when they’re a bad idea

Free/public numbers can be okay for:

• Low-stakes testing (like, does this service even send an OTP?)
• Throwaway accounts where privacy isn’t a concern

They’re a bad idea for:

• Banking/fintech
• Work accounts
• Anything you’ll need to recover later

Why: public inbox numbers aren’t private, and they’re more likely to be reused, flagged, or blocked.

One-time activation vs rental for ongoing 2FA

Think of it like this:

• One-time activation: you need one OTP, finish signing up, and you’re done.
• Rental: you’ll need messages again (ongoing 2FA, login checks, recovery).

Suppose you’ve ever lost access to an account because you couldn’t receive a recovery code, yeah. Rental suddenly makes a lot more sense.

Private or non-VoIP options and why apps care

Some platforms treat VoIP numbers differently (or outright reject them). When that happens, private/non-VoIP options can improve compatibility, especially for stricter verification flows.

No promises (every app makes its own rules), but choosing the correct number type upfront saves a lot of retries.

Fast backup when you need an OTP now

If WiFi Calling won’t deliver fast enough, the clean fallback is a dedicated verification number: start with a free test, then move to instant activation or a rental, depending on whether you need a single OTP or ongoing access.

PVAPins is built for the practical stuff people actually care about: coverage across 200+ countries, privacy-friendly use, options that may include private/non-VoIP where available, and stability that works for API-ready workflows (so you can count on delivery without babysitting it).

And again: PVAPins is not affiliated with [any app]. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.

Pick country → choose number type → receive SMS fast.

A simple approach that keeps you sane:

• Test with a free number when you’re just checking OTP delivery
• If you need a single verification, choose a one-time activation
• If you need ongoing access: choose a rental

This also helps when dual-SIM routing is messy, because you’re using a dedicated number for the task rather than relying on your main line behaving perfectly today.

Payments that work when cards don’t

If you’re topping up and your usual card option isn’t available, PVAPins supports multiple payment routes depending on region and availability, including Crypto, Binance Pay, Payeer, GCash, AmanPay, QIWI Wallet, DOKU, Nigeria & South Africa cards, Skrill, and Payoneer.

Troubleshooting flowchart & escalation: when to contact your carrier

If you’ve toggled WiFi Calling, verified message settings, tested multiple WiFi networks, and confirmed dual-SIM routing. However, SMS still doesn’t arrive; this is usually a carrier-provided provisioning/IMS issue. At that point, contacting your carrier is the fastest path forward. 

Here’s a simple flow that avoids looping forever:

1. Test SMS on cellular (LTE/5G)
2. Test SMS on WiFi Calling (preferably on a different WiFi network)
3. Disable VPN/Private DNS temporarily and retest
4. Check the default SMS line (dual SIM/eSIM) and retest
5. Last resort: reset network settings
6. If still failing → contact the carrier and say:
   • Please verify WiFi Calling provisioning on my line.
   • Can you confirm my phone is registered correctly on IMS?
   • I’m not receiving SMS over WiFi Calling.

And if the missing message is a time-sensitive OTP, don’t let a carrier ticket hold your day hostage. Use a dedicated verification number as a backup.

FAQ

Can you receive SMS over WiFi Calling?

Often yes, but it depends on your carrier and your setup. Apple’s carrier support documentation shows that feature availability varies by carrier and region, which is why two people with the same phone can get different results. 

Why does WiFi Calling work for calls but not for texts?

Calls and SMS can route differently, and SMS may rely on IMS provisioning even when voice appears fine. If your phone isn’t correctly registered with IMS, delivery can be inconsistent. 

Does aeroplane mode block SMS even if WiFi is on?

Usually, yes, unless WiFi Calling remains actively registered over WiFi and your carrier supports SMS over that path. The quickest way to know is to test in aeroplane mode and confirm WiFi Calling is actually active.

Why am I not receiving verification codes on WiFi Calling?

OTPs can be delayed, filtered, or routed to the wrong line (especially with dual SIM/eSIM). If it’s urgent, it’s smarter to use a dedicated verification number via one-time activation or a rental, depending on whether you need ongoing access.

Is it safer to use free public numbers for verification?

For low-stakes testing, it’s okay. For sensitive accounts, it’s risky because public inbox numbers aren’t private and are more likely to be blocked or reused.

What’s the difference between one-time activation and rental numbers?

One-time activation is best for a single signup/OTP flow. Rentals are better for ongoing 2FA, logins, and recovery when you’ll need to reuse the same number.

Is using a verification number legal?

It depends on your location and the service you’re verifying with. PVAPins is not affiliated with [any app]. Please follow each app’s terms and local regulations.

Clear CTA 

If you want to test quickly, start with Try a free number to test OTP delivery.

Need a code fast? Go with Receive SMS online instantly (by country).

Need ongoing access for 2FA/recovery? Renting several continuing 2FA and recovery is the calmer choice.

Also Helpful: If you’re also looking to bypass phone verification on other platforms, check out our guide on “Spotify OTP not received”.