Weird Country Code Issue

I have a somewhat odd iOS issue that has been bugging me for a few years now. I’m an American living in the UK, so I have a UK phone number, but my family all lives in the US. So, my contacts are a mix of UK and US phone numbers.


My iPhone seems to have a few issues with this, mainly around share sheets and auto-replies.


For instance: If I want to share an article with my brother, I can’t use the “suggestion” for him at the top of the Share Sheet. If I do, it tries to send it to +44 <his number>, even though I have +1 on the front of his number in the contacts.


The more annoying one is that is does the same with “auto replies” you can send someone when they call. I can’t do a quick “I’ll call you back” to my family, I have to go to Messages and type them directly.


I can’t be the only one living in a foreign country with contacts back home, so I figure this has to be a glitch rather than overlooked. It’s been going on for years, and multiple versions of iOS. Has anyone else had this issue and found a way to overcome it?


Thanks in advance.

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Jul 6, 2023 2:35 AM

Similar questions

2 replies

Jul 6, 2023 6:58 AM in response to Community User

Have you enabled "Dial assist"? Do it, it will help. Settings > Phone > Dial Assist [Enable]


When dial assist is enabled, your iPhone automatically recognizes the reference country you're trying to call and determines if it should add the prefix number. It uses various parameters to identify which country you're calling and modifies the number as needed to help you reach the person you want.


Turn on Dial Assist for international calls: (GSM) When Dial Assist is turned on, iPhone automatically adds the correct international or local prefix when you call your contacts and favorites.


(For information about making international calls (including rates and other charges that may apply), contact your carrier.)


Dial Assist is a feature on iPhones that simplifies the process of making international calls by automatically adding the appropriate country code when dialing a number. It helps users avoid the hassle of manually entering country codes, making international calling more convenient. Here's how Dial Assist works on an iPhone:


  1. When you start dialing a number, the iPhone analyzes the digits you input and tries to determine the country you are calling from. It uses the device's region settings or the physical location if available. For example, if you're in the United States, Dial Assist recognizes that and assumes you're making a domestic call.
  2. If Dial Assist recognizes that you're making an international call, it automatically adds the appropriate country code to the number you dialed. For instance, if you're in the United States and you dial "011" (the exit code for international calls), followed by the country code and the rest of the number, Dial Assist may recognize that you're calling the United Kingdom. It will then automatically add the country code "+44" to the dialed number.


Example 1: Let's say you're in the United States and you want to call a friend in Australia. You open the Phone app on your iPhone, enter the local Australian number without the country code (e.g., 02-XXXX-XXXX), and tap the Call button. Dial Assist recognizes that you're calling internationally, and it automatically adds the country code "+61" to the dialed number. The call goes through without you needing to manually enter the country code.


Example 2: Suppose you're in Germany and you wish to call a family member in the United States. You open the Phone app, enter the U.S. number without the country code (e.g., 555-XXX-XXXX), and initiate the call. Dial Assist detects that you're making an international call and automatically adds the country code "+1" to the dialed number. This simplifies the process, and the call connects seamlessly.


In summary, Dial Assist on an iPhone simplifies international calling by automatically adding the appropriate country code based on your location or region settings. It saves you time and eliminates the need to manually enter country codes, ensuring a smoother calling experience.


An iPhone recognizes which country you are dialing by analyzing the digits you input and comparing them to a database of international dialing patterns. The device uses a combination of the device's region settings, carrier information, and physical location (if available) to determine the country you are calling from. Here's a simplified explanation of how it works:


  1. Country Code Analysis: When you start dialing a number, the iPhone examines the digits you input and looks for patterns that correspond to international dialing codes. International phone numbers typically begin with a plus sign (+) or a specific combination of digits, known as the country code. For example, the country code for the United States is "+1," while the code for the United Kingdom is "+44."
  2. Database Comparison: The iPhone compares the digits you entered to a built-in database of international dialing patterns. This database contains information about country codes and their associated countries. It helps the device identify the specific country you are dialing.
  3. Region Settings: The iPhone takes into account the region settings you have configured on your device. These settings specify your country or region and can influence the default behavior of the phone app, including how international calls are handled.
  4. Carrier Information: The iPhone may also leverage information from your carrier to assist in determining your location and the corresponding country. Carriers can provide data about the country in which your SIM card is registered or the current tower or network you are connected to.


By analyzing these factors, the iPhone can make an educated guess about the country you are calling and automatically add the appropriate country code through the Dial Assist feature.


It's important to note that the accuracy of this feature can vary based on various factors, such as the completeness and accuracy of the dialing patterns database, network availability, and the consistency of region settings and carrier information.




Jul 6, 2023 8:27 AM in response to SravanKrA

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to apply to Messages. I’ve had that feature on and off (and just retested to be sure). It defaults the message to a UK country code either way.

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Weird Country Code Issue

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