How to Make International Phone Calls from the U.S. (iPhone & Android Guide)

International calls are a boon to those who’re staying in a different country, especially students, expats, and immigrants. Even those on vacation will appreciate a quick call back home. 

These calls are important for numerous reasons. The most important one being the need to stay connected with near and dear ones. There are even studies that state that hearing the voice of someone you know, whether through a phone or in real life, tends to release oxytocin, a hormone that assists in recognition, trust, and romantic attachment. 

But enough with the science part. Let’s get back to international calling. 

As said before, international calling is vital for certain groups of people. 

But how do you make an international phone call? 

Are the methods the same for Android and iOS? Or is there any difference? 

In the sections below, we have discussed how to make an international call from a cell phone, be it an Android device or an Apple device. We also talked a bit about international calling and how you can make international calls for free. Dive right in!! 

What is International Calling? 

Okay, let’s start off with the definition of international calling. 

In layman’s terms, an international call is a phone call made from one country to another. These calls usually cost more than the ones made within your city/state/country. 

Here are the factors that contribute to the excessively high international call charges. 

• The distance between the two countries 
• Government taxes 
• Regulatory fees 
• Telecom-specific tariffs 

But as expensive as it may sound, there are ways to circumvent these charges. You can either opt for 

• An international calling plan or add-on 
• A Voice over Internet Protocol application (VoIP) like WhatsApp, Google Voice, Viber, or Discord 

But before you start making an international call, here are some prerequisites you must consider. 

Prerequisites for Making International Calls 

International calling is a tricky concept. You may accumulate an exceptionally high bill before you even know it. 

So, if you’re looking to make an international call, here are some prerequisites to consider. 

Follow the Right Number Format 

You have to follow a specific format when you plan to make an international call. The format goes something like this. 

Home Country’s Exit Code + Destination Country Code + Area Code + Phone Number 

For example, if you want to call a number in the UK from the US, this is what you’d dial. 

+011 44 20 1234 5678 

Let’s break down the number above. 

011 – Exit code of the USA 

44 – Country code of the UK 

20 – Area code for London 

1234 5678 – The recipient’s phone number 

Here are the country codes of some popular international calling destinations. 

• UK: +44 
• India: +91 
• Canada: +1 
• Germany: +49 
• Mexico: +52 

Make Sure Your Current Plan Has International Calling Benefits to the Country You Plan to Call 

This is an important one. 

Before you start thinking about how to make an international phone call, it’s important to check whether your current prepaid plan includes international calling benefits. 

Take Lyca Mobile’s Unlimited Pro plan, for instance. 

Alongside unlimited national minutes and texts, this plan also includes unlimited international minutes and texts to 100 countries and Mexico and Canada. Your international calling needs are set if you have a plan like this.  

However, if your provider requires an add-on for international calling or if the destination country is not part of the plan benefits, then you will run into high international calling charges. 

Ensure You’re in a Place with Strong Coverage 

The last one is coverage. 

Like local calls, network is everything when it comes to international calls. Ensure you make the international call from a place where the network is the strongest to avoid call drops or disconnects. 

It also helps to enable VoLTE or HD calling on your device to enjoy the best quality international calling. 

Now you’re all set to make an international call. Let’s dive into our guide on how to make an international phone call on an iPhone and Android.  

How to Make an International Phone Call on an iPhone 

Making an international phone call on an iPhone is easier than you think. Now, since this is an iPhone, you can use Siri. Simply ask Siri to “make a call” or “dial a number” and speak out each digit slowly and clearly. 

Otherwise, you can stick to the traditional method of making a phone call. Here is how it works. 

1. Open the Phone app. 
2. Tap on the keypad at the bottom of the screen. 
3. Input the number. Add the “+” symbol before the number by holding the “0” key. 
4. If your iPhone supports dual SIMs, tap the line on the top and choose the SIM you’d like to make a call with. 
5. Tap on the phone symbol to make the call. 

That’s it! You’re done. 

How to Make an International Phone Call on Android 

Making an international call on an Android device is pretty similar to that of an iPhone. But unlike Siri, which is available by default on iPhones, you will have to download a separate app from the Play Store called Voice Access. This app will work alongside Google Assistant to allow your Android device to respond to voice commands. 

That said, here’s how to make an international phone call on an Android cell phone. 

1. Open the Phone app. 
2. Input the international number you’d like to call. Hold the “0” key to add the “+” symbol. 
3. Tap on the phone symbol to make the call. 

Consider the pointers below if your Android device supports dual SIMs. 

• Look for the SIM card option at the bottom of the screen when dialing the number. Tap on the option to switch between SIM cards. 
• You may be prompted to choose a SIM card after you have tapped the call button. This has to be manually set in the Settings app. 

Here’s how you can set a preferred SIM to make international calls on an Android device. 

1. Open the Settings app. 
2. Tap on Network and Internet. (may vary based on device manufacturer) 
3. Tap on SIM Cards. (may vary based on device manufacturer) 
4. Here you will see all the SIMs active in your device. Scroll down and tap on Calls. 
5. Choose the SIM you’d like to make the international call with. 

How to Make International Calls for Free 

There is another way to make an international call, and it’s free. 

Well, technically, it’s free because you don’t have to purchase any additional plan. Instead, you will be using your monthly data allowance. 

So, to make international calls for free, you will need one of the numerous VoIP applications. Here are some of the more popular ones. 

• WhatsApp 
• Google Voice 
• Viber 

Through this method, you can make free international calls, provided you have sufficient data balance and the person you’re calling has the same VoIP application installed on their smartphone. 

This is how it works. 

• You and the person you plan to connect with must install one of the numerous VoIP apps available. 
• Enable mobile data in both devices. 
• Make the call using the application. 

Some of these apps, like WhatsApp, also give you the ability to make video calls. 

Although making international calls through these apps is free of charge, do note that your monthly data allowance will drain faster than usual. The data consumption will be especially high if you’re making video calls. It is recommended to have an unlimited data plan, like the Unlimited Plus or the Unlimited Pro, to make free international calls without worrying about using up your monthly data allowance. 

Points to Remember When Making International Calls 

Before we wind up, we’d like to shed light on some essential pointers you should consider when making an international phone call. Following these pointers will contribute to a better international calling experience. 

• If you frequently make international calls to a specific number, consider saving the number with the “+” symbol. 
• Check the international calling rates provided by your carrier if you plan to use credits to make an international call. 
• Double-check the country code and area code before making an international call. 
• Be considerate of time differences when calling someone in a different country. 
• Disable roaming if you’re visiting another country. It’s better to buy a local SIM or an eSIM instead. 

Final Thoughts 

Well, we guess you got the answer to the question “How to make an international phone call?” 

Staying in touch with your loved ones is important, especially for those who’re visiting a foreign country, either for work, studies, or pleasure. The methods mentioned in this guide help you achieve just that. 

There are different ways to make an international phone call. You can either opt for the traditional method or use a VoIP app like WhatsApp. 

Regardless of the method you prefer, you need a viable mobile plan that helps you make uninterrupted international calls. 

Almost all of Lyca’s prepaid plans offer international talk and text to 100 countries. You could either pick up one of them or opt for a high data plan, like the Unlimited Pro or the $39 Unlimited International Plan, to make international calls for free. 

Whatever method you pick, Lyca Mobile USA has a relevant plan. Choose one and start calling!!