How to make an international call on iPhone: Guide for 2025

Making international calls today is easier than ever — especially on an iPhone — but many people still get confused about dialing formats, country codes, or which settings to enable. Whether you’re calling family abroad, traveling overseas, or connecting with clients in another country, understanding how to dial an international number on iPhone saves you time, frustration, and unnecessary fees.

This guide covers everything you need to know, including how to call internationally on iPhone, how to dial an international number on iPhone step-by-step, what settings you must enable, and the cheapest ways to make international calls on iPhone in 2025. You’ll also learn how to dial to Mexico on an iPhone, common mistakes people make, and why the BOSS Revolution app is one of the easiest low-cost solutions for connecting worldwide.

Do you need anything special to make international calls on an iPhone?

iPhones can make international calls right out of the box, meaning no extra app or special feature is required. However, your ability to dial internationally depends on the following three things.¹

1. Your carrier must allow international calls

Most mobile carriers block international calling by default to prevent accidental long-distance charges. If this feature is blocked, the call simply won’t go through.²

You may need to:

• Log in to your carrier account
• Enable international calling
• Or call customer support and request activation.

Many users only learn about this restriction when they try placing their first international call.

2. You need a valid connection

There are two types of connections your iPhone can use to place international calls. These are:

• Cellular connection (traditional calling)
• Wi-Fi Calling (internet-based, if supported)

3. Your iPhone must have proper regional/calling settings

If data roaming is turned off or if your carrier settings are outdated, calls can fail abroad. You will learn how to enable these settings later in this guide.

How to make an international call on iPhone (Step-by-step)

Here is the simplest, most reliable method to make an international call on iPhone, whether you’re calling Mexico, India, Guatemala, or any other country.

Step 01: Open the Phone app → Tap the Keypad

This ensures you are manually entering the number in the correct format.

Step 02: Dial the “+” symbol

To do this:

• Press and hold “0” on your keypad
• The “+” symbol will appear automatically⁵

This + sign is important because:

• It is the international prefix
• It automatically replaces 011 (the US international exit code)
• It works universally in almost every country

Using “+” ensures your call connects no matter where you are in the world.

Step 03: Enter the country code

Every country has its own dialing code. Here are the most frequently dialed:

If you dial Mexico often, remember: how to dial to Mexico on iPhone = +52 + the local number.

Step 04: Dial the local number and press the call button

After the + and country code, dial the full local number. This may include:

• Area code
• Mobile prefix
• Local subscriber number

Then tap the green Call button to connect.

How to enable international calling on iPhone (Operator settings)

International dialing may fail if your operator settings restrict long-distance calls. Here’s how to check everything.

Check if your plan allows international calling

Some carriers block international calls for:

• Prepaid plans
• New accounts
• Accounts without a deposit or verification

Log in to your carrier’s portal or call customer service and confirm:

• Is international calling enabled?
• Are there any restrictions?
• What are the per-minute charges?

Enable Wi-Fi Calling (optional)

Wi-Fi Calling lets your iPhone place calls over Wi-Fi instead of cell towers. Apple’s official instructions³ for enabling Wi-Fi calling can be found in the Support Section.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Phone
3. Tap Wi-Fi Calling
4. Toggle Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone

Check roaming settings if calling abroad

If you’re traveling internationally and using your home SIM:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Cellular
3. Tap Cellular Data Options
4. Make sure Voice Roaming is ON

Without roaming, calls won’t connect.

Cheapest ways to make international calls on iPhone

International operator rates can be expensive, especially for long calls. Here are the most cost-effective methods available in 2025.

Use the BOSS Revolution App (lowest per-minute rates + no roaming fees)

BOSS Revolution stands out as one of the most affordable and reliable ways to make international calls from an iPhone.

Advantages of using BOSS Revolution

• Low-cost international calling with clear per-minute pricing
• No long-distance operator charges
• Works over Wi-Fi, mobile data, or local access numbers
• Can call any real phone number (landline or mobile), not just app users
• No roaming fees when used abroad
• Transparent balance and rates
• High call quality to Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia

Because the app uses VoIP or local access numbers, it bypasses carrier restrictions — even if your mobile operator blocks direct international dialing.

Use Wi-Fi Calling (if supported)

Wi-Fi calling can help if you’re in an area with a poor signal, but:

• It is not available in all countries
• Your carrier may restrict it
• Calls are still billed as regular international calls
• These charges may be higher than you expect

Use Wi-Fi calling only if you understand your carrier’s pricing or as a backup solution.

Use VoIP apps (WhatsApp / Viber / FaceTime Audio)

Apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, and Viber offer free or low-cost calling, but with a major limitation: they only work app-to-app. This means that you cannot call someone’s phone number unless they have the same app installed.

So while they are great for iPhone international calling to tech-savvy family members, they won’t work for:

• Businesses
• Landlines
• Relatives using basic phones
• Countries with limited internet

This is why many users prefer BOSS Revolution for reaching real phone numbers internationally.

Common mistakes when dialing international numbers on an iPhone

Avoid these common errors to ensure your call goes through successfully.

1. Missing the “+”: If you dial 011 instead of using +, your call might fail when traveling abroad. The + symbol automatically adjusts the exit code for your location.
2. Missing the country code: Every number outside your country requires a country code. Without it, the call cannot connect.
3. Trying to call via iMessage or FaceTime: iMessage and FaceTime are not substitutes for real phone calls. They only connect if both users have Apple devices, have internet access, and are registered correctly. For real phone numbers, always use the Phone app or a calling app like BOSS Revolution.
4. The number doesn’t include an area code: Some countries require the full area code even for local numbers. For example, Mexican mobile numbers often require an additional digit, whereas Indian mobile numbers vary by region. If unsure, search the correct international format.
5. VPN is breaking Wi-Fi Calling: A VPN can change your virtual location, cause carrier verification to fail, or prevent Wi-Fi calls from connecting. Disable VPN if Wi-Fi calling encounters problems.⁴

Why BOSS Revolution is the easiest way to call internationally from your iPhone

BOSS Revolution makes international calling simple, affordable, and stress-free, especially for users who want clear pricing, reliable connections, and a way to bypass high carrier long-distance fees. Whether you’re calling family back home or connecting while traveling, the BOSS app gives you flexible options that work wherever you are.

Here’s why iPhone users rely on BOSS Revolution for international calls:

• No carrier long-distance charges when placing calls through the app
• Transparent, low per-minute rates to most international destinations
• Works even if your mobile carrier blocks international dialing
• Supports Wi-Fi, mobile data, or local access numbers for maximum flexibility
• Consistent route quality for calls to Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean
• No roaming charges when used over Wi-Fi or data while traveling abroad

If you want a dependable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use solution for calling internationally from your iPhone, BOSS Revolution is a practical option for 2025, especially for staying connected with loved ones across borders.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of November 25, 2025

1. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/make-a-call-iph3c993cbc/ios
2. https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-206975/
3. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108066
4. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253717251
5. https://roamless.com/blog/how-to-dial-international-on-iphone

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