Can All Cell Phones Make International Calls?

The need to reach someone overseas can pop up when you least expect it.

Maybe your daughter just landed in Tokyo for her semester abroad, or your business partner in London needs to discuss an urgent contract change. Whatever the reason, knowing how to make an international call shouldn’t be a source of anxiety.

Luckily, international calling is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. Let’s walk through everything you need to know to connect globally with confidence.

The Universal Formula That Always Works

At its core, international calling follows a simple, consistent pattern that works anywhere in the world:

Plus Sign + Country Code + Phone Number

That’s it. Really. The plus sign automatically inserts whatever exit code your carrier needs (like 011 in the US), the country code directs your call to the right nation, and then the local number connects you to the specific person.

For example:

  • Calling the UK: +44 plus the number (dropping the first 0 if there is one)
  • Calling Japan: +81 plus the number
  • Calling Australia: +61 plus the number

This formula is the foundation of all international calling—whether you’re using a fancy smartphone or an old-school landline. Understanding this pattern means you can call literally anywhere on the planet. Your phone already has a plus sign built in—just hold down the zero key until it appears.

Before You Hit That Call Button

Before diving into international dialing, take a quick minute to check a few things—your wallet will thank you later.

First, what’s your carrier’s deal with international calls? Most major cell providers offer international plans or add-ons, but if you’re not already signed up, those per-minute rates can be… well, shocking.

You might find your carrier offers decent international rates to some countries but not others. This inconsistency is why many frequent international callers use specialized services like Phone Card Choice, which offers consistent rates to over 200 countries without the surprise fees that carriers sometimes tack on.

Also worth checking: does the person you’re calling have WhatsApp, FaceTime, or another internet-based calling app? If you both have a solid internet connection, these can be free alternatives to traditional international calls.

Step-by-Step: Making That International Call

Let’s break this down into simple steps:

  1. Find the country code for your destination. Quick sources include Google (“country code for France”), your phone’s contacts app (many automatically format international numbers), or the country code list on phonecardchoice.com.
  2. Format the number correctly. This is where people often get confused. Different countries format their local numbers differently. For instance:
    • Many European numbers start with a “0” that you should drop when dialing internationally
    • Some countries have variable-length phone numbers
    • Mobile numbers often follow different patterns than landlines
  3. Dial the full sequence: + (hold down zero) → country code → local number without leading zeros
  4. Be patient. International connections sometimes take a few extra seconds to establish. Don’t hang up too quickly!
  5. Check for connection quality. If the call sounds poor, try again—sometimes you’ll get routed through a different connection with better quality.

Modern Alternatives Worth Considering

While the traditional international calling method above always works, there are newer options that might be more convenient or cost-effective:

Wi-Fi Calling: Most newer smartphones and carriers support this feature, which lets you use internet connections for calls. This can dramatically reduce costs—sometimes even making international calls free. Check your phone’s settings for “Wi-Fi Calling” and toggle it on.

Calling Apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime (for Apple users), Facebook Messenger, and Skype all allow free calls to other users of the same app. The catch? Both parties need the app and a decent internet connection.

International Calling Services: Services like Phone Card Choice specialize in affordable international calls. The process is straightforward—dial a local access number, enter your PIN, then dial internationally. The benefit? Significantly lower rates than most carrier plans, especially for frequent calls or lengthy conversations.

When Calls Don’t Connect: Troubleshooting

If your call isn’t going through, don’t panic. Try these fixes:

  • Double-check the format. Did you include the plus sign and country code? Did you remove any leading zeros from the local number?
  • Check your service. Some carriers require international calling to be activated on your account, even if you’re willing to pay the higher rates.
  • Try a different approach. If traditional calling isn’t working, can you connect via WhatsApp or another app? Or consider using a service like Phone Card Choice, which works from both landlines and mobile phones.
  • Consider timing. In very rare cases, extreme weather events or local infrastructure issues can affect international connectivity. If nothing’s working, try again in a few hours.

Managing Costs

Cost is another concern with international calling. Here are some practical ways to keep expenses manageable:

Understand your current plan. Some carriers include certain countries in their standard plans or offer affordable add-ons. Check before paying premium rates unnecessarily.

Set time limits. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to lose track of time. Set an alarm if you need to.

Use prepaid options. Services like Phone Card Choice offer 100% prepaid calling with no surprise fees and no expiration on your credit. This makes budgeting for international calls much more predictable.

Consider the destination. Calling rates vary dramatically by country. Major cities in developed countries typically have lower rates than calls to remote or developing regions.

Staying Connected Without the Stress

International communication doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re checking in with family studying abroad, connecting with clients overseas, or just catching up with friends around the world, the basic principles remain the same.

Remember the simple formula: plus sign, country code, number. That’s your key to connecting anywhere.

For frequent international callers, dedicated services like Phone Card Choice can offer significant savings with their prepaid international calling options that work from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Whatever method you choose, the world really is just a few digits away. And isn’t that kind of amazing?

Have questions about making affordable international calls? Visit phonecardchoice.com for rates to over 200 countries and simple calling options with no hidden fees.