VoIP App Options

Hi,

Just a quick question, does anyone have any recommendations for a VoIP app for iOS, which will accept calls even if the app is closed? (Does that even exist?)

I have Zoiper installed but I seem to have misunderstood it's function, as when it's closed the app does not notify me of any calls to my VoIP number. I know this doesn't work as I had a missed call on my VoIP number recently (I also have VoIP phones at home) but I had no notification of the missed call on my mobile and the call did not come through on my mobile.

I have subscribed to Zoiper's push notification subscription, but I guess it doesn't work if the app is closed...

Thanks in advance.

FYI - On Android the free Zoiper's app rings/notifies when the app is closed, not sure what the point would be if it didn't. If anything its one of the biggest users of my phone battery and I now barely use it

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

FYI - On Android the free Zoiper's app rings/notifies when the app is closed, not sure what the point would be if it didn't. If anything its one of the biggest users of my phone battery and I now barely use it

Interesting, I did think it should have alerted me to the incoming call, maybe it's different on iOS, but it shouldn't be.

Oh that's not good, I am glad I had closed it...

In reply to a post by CJT:

Just a quick question, does anyone have any recommendations for a VoIP app for iOS, which will accept calls even if the app is closed? (Does that even exist?)

Acrobits Softphone.

It uses native push notifications, so it wakes up the app if there's an incoming call (and doesn't drain your battery). The SIP session is opened from their servers, rather than from your phone.

When I bought Softphone it was a £6 one-time charge. Definitely worth it. There's also Groundwire which is a couple of quid more expensive and includes some extra features like multi-way calling.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Acrobits Softphone.

It uses native push notifications, so it wakes up the app if there's an incoming call (and doesn't drain your battery). The SIP session is opened from their servers, rather than from your phone.

When I bought Softphone it was a £6 one-time charge. Definitely worth it. There's also Groundwire which is a couple of quid more expensive and includes some extra features like multi-way calling.

Thanks candlerb for the suggestion,

I will be sure to check them out.

I have e-mailed Zoiper, and if (as I suspect) I should be able to get incoming calls, but have to have the app open, I'll be requesting a refund of the premium charge, and I'll try Acrobits instread

There is an Android app calle "GS Wavw". There may also be an IOS version.

Second vote for Softphone, it just works. Used it for a few years now, but I'm on iOS.

I have been using the Android version of GS Wave for a couple of years on my Pixel 6 Pro, does what I want, and I've not noticed any major impacts on battery life.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

There is an Android app calle "GS Wavw". There may also be an IOS version.

I had a look on the iOS app store and found Grandstream Wave, I am guessing it's possibly the same app.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

Second vote for Softphone, it just works. Used it for a few years now, but I'm on iOS.

I am on iOS myself, I had a look at Acrobits Softphone and it's £6.99 on the iOS app store.

I am waiting on Zoiper to get back to me, but I am inclined to request a refund and pay for Acrobits

In reply to a post by burble:

I have been using the Android version of GS Wave for a couple of years on my Pixel 6 Pro, does what I want, and I've not noticed any major impacts on battery life.

I am on iOS, there is an app called Grandstream Wave, so that maybe the same app as on Android

Just a quick update,

I have requested a refund of the premium notification purchase via Apple as it does not work as expected.

I will update this once I have an outcome

Definitely Acrobits (either Softphone or Groundwire versions). Head and shoulders better than all the rest.

Enough has been written about why. So I wont droll on. 🤣

In reply to a post by CJT:

Just a quick update,

I have requested a refund of the premium notification purchase via Apple as it does not work as expected.

I will update this once I have an outcome

I will be very interested to hear how you get on as I was about the ask about VoIP apps for IOS.

I've just recently signed up with A&A VoIP and ported over my UK Skype number.

They supplied me with a Grandstream HT801 hardware adaptor for a standard phone but when out and about it would be useful to pick up calls on the mobile.

In reply to a post by timo_w2s:

I will be very interested to hear how you get on as I was about the ask about VoIP apps for IOS.

I've just recently signed up with A&A VoIP and ported over my UK Skype number.

They supplied me with a Grandstream HT801 hardware adaptor for a standard phone but when out and about it would be useful to pick up calls on the mobile.

I went with A&A as well and ported a PSTN number. I think I’m gonna go with Acrobits.

A&A have a support page with app’s listed.

Out of interest what was the cost of the HT801?

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

Definitely Acrobits (either Softphone or Groundwire versions). Head and shoulders better than all the rest.

Enough has been written about why. So I wont droll on. 🤣

Adding my vote to this, I bought it when it was discounted at some point last year and it's worth the full price.

In reply to a post by CJT:

Out of interest what was the cost of the HT801?

It cost £72 and came configured for my number so just needed to be plugged in. What appealed to me about the box is it's very small and lightweight so easily transferred to different properties when needed.

Edited by timo_w2s (Fri 25-Apr-25 13:55:21)

Thanks Pheasant

I will check them out, I also have an Android handset (which I don't use often) so just seeing what's on GooglePlay.

In reply to a post by jpm:

]Adding my vote to this, I bought it when it was discounted at some point last year and it's worth the full price.

How much was it on offer for?

In reply to a post by timo_w2s:

It cost £72 and came configured for my number so just needed to be plugged in. What appealed to me about the box is it's very small and lightweight so easily transferred to different properties when needed.

Fair enough, I did look at the Yealink W73P which they offer for £120 for the base and 1 handset, but I decided (for now) against it.

In reply to a post by CJT:

Thanks Pheasant

I will check them out, I also have an Android handset (which I don't use often) so just seeing what's on GooglePlay.

Its available for both Android/Google Play etc and for IOS/App Store.

Acrobits uses the native (to the phone operating system) "push" notification schema so is inherently the most battery efficient way to do VOIP apps on mobile handsets that I have seen to date.

I would recommend it over any of the other apps listed here and over and above any others that I've tried over the last dozen or so years of doing this stuff.

I have found it on the Google Play Store for £6.99 so at least they are consistent with their pricing over iOS and Android.

In reply to a post by CJT:

I have found it on the Google Play Store for £6.99 so at least they are consistent with their pricing over iOS and Android.

In any event you should be able to share that purchase with other member of the family to may want to install the app on their devices.

In reply to a post by CJT:

I went with A&A as well and ported a PSTN number. I think I’m gonna go with Acrobits.
A&A have a support page with app’s listed.

Also with A&A and ported a PSTN number, back in 2019.

My family also did similar end of 2024 and tested with Acrobits Softphone and then bought an ATA from A&A, I suspect the same model you mention, they've had zero problems.

A&A will tell you they don't support NAT as they want you to use a routed and firewalled connection for VoIP from their own ISP. In both my and my family's case this isn't possible as no Cityfibre for high speed, and Openreach copper is falling apart in both areas, so we are both using Virgin Media coax. Works fine!

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

In any event you should be able to share that purchase with other member of the family to may want to install the app on their devices.

Is that cross platform/could I share it with myself over two different devices?

Just another quick update:

Refund request has been accepted!

I’ll be uninstalling Zoiper for good this morning and installing Acrobits Softphone instead

In reply to a post by CJT:

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

In any event you should be able to share that purchase with other member of the family to may want to install the app on their devices.

Is that cross platform/could I share it with myself over two different devices?

Both Google and Apple allow you, with a Family-type subscription, to pay once and install the app on different members of the Family devices - as long as they belong to the same ecosystem - ie Apple *or* Google. You can't for example buy this on the Apple Store for an iPhone and then download it (for free) on a Pixel. But if everyone at home is running iPhones or all on Google devices then happy days.

You've always been able to install apps for *yourself* on as many devices (using the same Google or Apple account login etc) as you want.

In reply to a post by CJT:

Is that cross platform/could I share it with myself over two different devices?

If you have both Android and iOS devices you'll need to buy it twice. But you can install it on multiple devices of the same type, and share it for free with other members of your family if your Apple or Google account is set up for family sharing (i.e. multiple accounts linked).

I mostly use Android, but I bought the iOS version when it was on sale for half price for a few days. I just happened to notice a posting in one of the forums.

£3.99

I have now removed Zoiper and installed Acrobits Softphone on my iPhone and set up my VoIP accounts. So far all good.

I will probably install it on my Android phone later.

Thanks again for the suggestion!

In reply to a post by jpm:

£3.99

Wow you did well!