If this sounds like your story, you’re not alone. Thousands of us still nurse our iPhone 5S, 5C or even the original 5. Jio’s network has been fully VoLTE for years now – no 2G or 3G fallback. And the iPhone 5S never got native VoLTE support for Jio’s bands. So does that mean your beloved 5S is stuck as a data-only device? Not at all.
The good news? Jio gave us a beautiful, official workaround years ago that still works today: the Jio4GVoice app. It turns your old iPhone into a fully functional Jio voice phone using 4G data or Wi-Fi. HD-quality calls, incoming calls, even SMS – all without touching the native dialer. It feels a bit like magic, honestly.
Why Native Calls Don’t Work on iPhone 5S with Jio
Jio runs an all-4G network. Voice calls happen over VoLTE (Voice over LTE), which needs specific hardware and carrier settings that Apple never baked into the iPhone 5 series. You’ll get blazing-fast 4G LTE data on Jio bands, but the moment you try to call someone, the phone simply can’t “talk” on the voice layer. No amount of iOS updates (your 5S maxes out at iOS 12.5.7 anyway) or carrier tweaks will change that. It’s a hardware limitation.
But Jio understood that millions of older phones were still in use. So they built Jio4GVoice – a special app that routes calls over your data connection, just like WhatsApp calls, except it uses your actual Jio mobile number. No new SIM, no porting drama.
Also read: Does jio 4g voice work for android 2.3.6 gingerbread?
Step-by-Step: How to Make Jio Voice Calls on iPhone 5S (Tested and Working)
Here’s exactly how to set it up. Takes less than 10 minutes.
- Insert the Jio SIM Power off your iPhone, pop in the Jio SIM, and switch it back on.
- Turn on LTE Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Cellular Data Options. Make sure Voice & Data is set to LTE (or 4G). If you see “Enable LTE,” turn it on. This is crucial for the app to work smoothly.
- Restart your phone A quick reboot ensures the SIM is fully registered for data.
- Download Jio4GVoice Open the App Store (yes, it’s still there in 2026). Search for “Jio4GVoice” or “Jio 4G Voice.” Download and install the free app. (Pro tip: If it doesn’t show up, try switching your Apple ID region to India temporarily.)
- Open the app and let it work its magic Launch Jio4GVoice. It will automatically detect your Jio number and configure everything – APN settings, proxy, the works. You might get an OTP via SMS for verification. Enter it, and you’re good.
- Start calling! You can now dial numbers right inside the app. It supports HD voice calls, video calls (if both sides have the app), and even SMS. For incoming calls, keep the app running in the background (iOS will notify you). You can still use WhatsApp, Safari, or any other app at the same time.
That’s it. Your iPhone 5S is now a full Jio voice phone again.
The Real-Life Experience
I’ve seen friends use this setup daily. One uncle in Pune still carries his gold 5S as his “calling phone” because the battery lasts forever and the calls sound crystal clear. The app runs quietly in the background – you barely notice it’s there. Battery drain is minimal if you keep data/Wi-Fi on anyway.
You can even use it over Wi-Fi at home. Perfect for those moments when your Jio signal dips but the home broadband is strong.
A Few Honest Caveats (Because We’re Keeping It Real)
- Calls use your data balance (though Jio’s plans are generous, so it barely matters).
- The app interface feels a bit dated – it hasn’t been updated in years – but it works reliably.
- Incoming calls only ring if the app has background refresh enabled. Just don’t force-close it.
- No native integration with the iPhone dialer or Siri. You dial inside the app.
- If you ever lose network, simply restart the app or phone.
If these small inconveniences bother you, it might be time to consider upgrading. But for many of us, keeping the 5S alive is worth it – cheaper than buying a new phone, and it still takes great photos in good light!
Why This Matters in 2026
Jio has been pushing everyone toward newer devices, but they haven’t abandoned older users completely. The fact that their official guidance (even on Reliance Digital’s website this year) still points to Jio4GVoice shows they care about accessibility. In a world obsessed with the latest flagships, it’s refreshing.
So, to answer the original question loudly and clearly: Yes, you can absolutely make and receive calls on your iPhone 5S using Jio Voice. It just happens through the Jio4GVoice app instead of the regular phone dialer.
Dust off that old beauty, follow the steps above, and enjoy making calls again. Your 5S still has life left in it – and Jio made sure of that.
Also read: Does jio voice usage gives incoming calls details also?