How to Make International Calls on iPhone

Making international calls on an iPhone can mean different things depending on whether you want to call another iPhone user, call a landline or mobile number overseas, or avoid carrier charges. This guide walks through every practical option: the iPhone’s built-in dialing and FaceTime features, free apps, carrier plans, Wi‑Fi calling, and cost-saving tactics you can use right away. If you want a quick answer: use FaceTime or messaging apps for free calls between apps; use a VoIP service or a low‑cost calling app when you need to call regular phone numbers overseas.

Built-in iPhone International Calling Methods

The iPhone gives you two main built-in ways to reach international numbers: standard cellular dialing and FaceTime (Audio/Video). Both work for international calling from iPhone, but they behave differently and have different costs.

How to dial an international number from the Phone app

• Use the plus sign (+) and the country code. Press and hold the 0 key on the keypad to enter +, then type the country code and the number. Example: to call a London landline from the US dial +44 20 7123 4567.
• Or use the international access code (e.g., 011 from the US) followed by country code and number. The plus method is easier and automatically handles your local exit code.
• Save international contacts with the + and country code so you never have to guess the format.
• If you have two SIMs (physical + eSIM) set up, choose which line to place the call from in the call screen or add a default line in Settings > Cellular.

FaceTime Audio and Video (free between Apple IDs)

• FaceTime Audio gives high‑quality voice calls between iPhones, iPads and Macs over Wi‑Fi or mobile data. No carrier minutes apply. Open the Contacts app, tap the contact, then tap FaceTime or the phone icon with FaceTime.
• FaceTime requires both people to be signed into Apple ID and have FaceTime enabled (Settings > FaceTime).
• Use FaceTime when both parties have Apple devices and a stable internet connection.

When to use each built-in method

• Use the Phone app if you need to call a landline or someone who does not use an app. Carrier rates or roaming charges typically apply.
• Use FaceTime Audio/Video when the other person has an Apple device and you want a free or low‑cost call over data or Wi‑Fi.
• For dialing international from iPhone to non‑Apple numbers without installing apps, consider VoIP calling apps or a low‑cost international calling service (covered below).

If you want a deeper comparison of VoIP options and platforms for app‑to‑app calling, see our guide to free online video calling platforms (Free Video Calling Sites).

Free Apps for International Calls

Many apps let you make free international calls if both callers have the app and are on Wi‑Fi or mobile data. These cover how to make free international calls on iPhone and are the easiest way to avoid per‑minute carrier charges.

Common free calling apps and how they work

• FaceTime (Apple): Built into iOS. Audio and video calls are free over Wi‑Fi/mobile data between Apple devices.
• WhatsApp: Free voice and video calls to other WhatsApp users. Works on Wi‑Fi or mobile data and uses phone numbers for identity.
• Facebook Messenger: Free calls and video to other Messenger users.
• Signal: Encrypted voice and video calls to other Signal users.
• Viber: Free calls between Viber users; Viber Out lets you call regular phone numbers for a fee.
• Telegram: Voice calls and video messages to other Telegram users.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free for app‑to‑app calls, decent quality over a good connection, familiar interfaces.
• Cons: Both parties must install and use the same app; calls to landlines or mobiles outside the app usually cost money; call quality drops on weak connections.

Calling real phone numbers versus app‑to‑app

• If you need to call a landline or a mobile that does not have the same app, you’ll need a service that places calls to phone numbers. Apps such as Skype and some VoIP providers offer this for a fee.
• For an overview of how VoIP calling to phone numbers works, check our VoIP explainer (Best VoIP Phone Systems).

When you want entirely free calls to real phone numbers, options are limited. App‑to‑app is free; calling a regular phone number usually incurs per‑minute charges. If you need to call regular phones affordably, look for a VoIP app with low rates and short credit packs—Telvio, for example, offers pay‑as‑you‑go credit packs and low per‑minute rates to over 200 countries.

Cellular Carrier International Plans

Carriers provide multiple ways to handle international calling: pay‑per‑minute rates, international calling add‑ons, and roaming voice plans. If you make international calls often or travel a lot, compare carrier options before you place calls.

Types of carrier international options

• Pay‑per‑minute international calling: Most carriers allow calls to international numbers charged at their published per‑minute rates. These can be expensive when roaming.
• International calling add‑ons: Monthly plans or bundles (e.g., 100 minutes to select countries) that lower the per‑minute cost when calling from your primary line.
• Roaming voice packages: If you travel and keep your home SIM, you can buy a roaming pack that covers calls and data abroad. These reduce the cost of receiving and placing calls while traveling.
• International flat‑rate or unlimited plans: Some carriers offer plans with included international minutes to specific countries.

How to check and enable international calling on your iPhone

• Check your plan and rates in your carrier account (website/app) or call customer service.
• Ensure international calling is enabled on your account (some carriers require activation).
• If you travel and want to avoid roaming charges, consider turning off cellular data roaming in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and use Wi‑Fi and Wi‑Fi Calling instead.

Typical costs and examples

• Carrier costs vary widely by country and carrier. Calling a foreign landline while roaming can be significantly more expensive than calling from your home network.
• If you need to call India often, a dedicated VoIP app may cost $0.08/min or less versus several times that with roaming carrier rates.

If you plan to rely on local numbers or virtual numbers instead of expensive roaming, read our guides to virtual phone numbers (Virtual Phone Numbers Guide) and free virtual numbers (Virtual Phone Numbers SMS) to see alternatives that reduce international calling costs.

Wi‑Fi Calling Options

Wi‑Fi Calling is a useful middle ground: it uses Wi‑Fi to place calls that look and act like normal phone calls. This helps when you have poor cellular coverage but a strong Wi‑Fi connection.

What Wi‑Fi Calling does

• Wi‑Fi Calling routes voice calls through the internet when your carrier supports it. Your number appears as the caller ID and calls integrate with the Phone app.
• It does not necessarily make international calls free. Your carrier still applies international calling rates unless your plan includes international minutes.

How to enable Wi‑Fi Calling on iPhone

• Go to Settings > Phone > Wi‑Fi Calling and toggle on “Wi‑Fi Calling on This iPhone.”
• Follow any carrier prompts to enter an emergency address for 911/E911 support.
• Both the carrier and the Wi‑Fi network must support Wi‑Fi Calling. Not all carriers enable international use of Wi‑Fi Calling.

Advantages and limitations

• Advantage: No app downloads, uses your regular number, works when cellular signal is poor.
• Limitation: Charges depend on carrier plan; not a free way to call international numbers unless your plan includes international Wi‑Fi calling.

VoIP apps and Wi‑Fi Calling

• VoIP apps (like Skype, Google Voice, and Telvio) run over Wi‑Fi or mobile data independent of carrier Wi‑Fi Calling and can call real phone numbers at lower rates.
• If you need to call an overseas landline or mobile and avoid carrier international charges, a VoIP calling app is often cheaper than relying on Wi‑Fi Calling with your carrier. For background on VoIP calling and how it differs from Wi‑Fi Calling, see Best VoIP Phone Systems.

Cost-Saving Strategies for International Calls

Whether you want to know how to make an international call on iPhone for the lowest cost, or you need to call international numbers regularly, these practical strategies will save money.

1. Use app‑to‑app calls when possible

• If the other person uses an app like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Signal, or Messenger, prefer those for free calls over Wi‑Fi or data. This answers “how to make free international calls on iPhone” in most cases.
• Agree on one app in advance to avoid calling charges.

2. Buy local or international eSIMs when traveling

• If you travel often to one region, a local SIM or eSIM data plan can reduce costs dramatically. You can still place international calls via VoIP apps using local data.
• Dual‑SIM iPhones make it easy to keep your home line active while using a local data SIM for internet calling.

3. Choose a low‑cost VoIP service for calling real phone numbers

• When you must call landlines or mobiles, compare VoIP apps that sell calling credit. Look for low per‑minute rates, per‑second billing, and small credit packs so you don’t overspend.
• Example: a VoIP provider might charge $0.02/min to call the US and $0.08/min to call India. Per‑second billing and no connection fees make these calls predictable and often far cheaper than carrier international rates.

4. Use small credit packs to control spending

• If a VoIP app offers starter credit packs (for example, $1.99, $4.99, $9.99), you can buy only what you need and avoid long monthly commitments. Credits that never expire let you keep calling without monthly fees.
• Per‑second billing means you pay only for the exact minutes you use.

5. Avoid roaming voice charges

• Turn off cellular roaming or routing heavy calling through Wi‑Fi or a local data plan. If you must use your home carrier, buy a roaming voice/data pack ahead of travel.

6. Set up contacts with international formatting

• Save contacts in +countrycode format so you can call from anywhere without editing numbers. This avoids misdials and extra charges.

7. Check rates before calling

• For carrier plans and VoIP services, look up exact per‑minute rates to your destination before placing long calls. Costs differ by destination and whether you call a landline or mobile.

8. Use virtual numbers where needed

• If you regularly communicate with businesses overseas, a virtual number can make inbound calls cheaper for the other party and route calls to your iPhone. Learn more in our virtual number guide (Virtual Phone Numbers Guide).

Practical example comparison

• Calling a US landline from an iPhone over roaming could cost $0.50–$3.00/min depending on your carrier and country.
• A VoIP app might charge $0.02/min to the US and offer per‑second billing and small credit packs so a 10‑minute call costs about $0.20.
• If you primarily call other iPhones, FaceTime Audio over Wi‑Fi is free and often the best choice.

If you’re looking for a simple VoIP app that calls regular phone numbers with low rates, per‑second billing, and small credit packs, Telvio provides calling to 200+ countries with starter credits and no registration required. For a fuller guide on international calling techniques, see Make International Calls.