I can only call a number if they have called me first

It seems that my iPhone 8 has a mind if its own, I can only call a number if they have called me first, otherwise, I cannot call them. However occasionally it will allow it. Even numbers in my contact, and they are not blocked either.


how can I fix this?


[Re-titled by Moderator]

Posted on Aug 4, 2023 03:21 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 5, 2023 12:57 AM

the phone number format stored in your contact list can affect your ability to call a contact on your iPhone. Different countries have different phone number formats, and if the phone number in your contact list is not in the correct format, it may cause issues when you try to call that contact.


The correct phone number format generally includes the country code, area code (if applicable), and the local number. For example, if you are in the United States and the contact's number is (555) 123-4567, the correct format would be "+1 555-123-4567" (where "+1" is the country code for the United States).


If the phone number in your contact list is not in the correct format, your iPhone may not be able to recognize it as a valid phone number and could prevent you from making calls to that contact. In some cases, it may also lead to other issues like incorrect caller ID display or difficulties with messaging.


Spaces, Hyphen or Parentheses in a Phone number depends on the International prefix

Watch the GIF below. Note here only numbers are being input, but Spaces, Hyphen or Parentheses are added by iPhone automatically


iPhone 6 iOS 12



If you need to edit a contact's phone number to add or modify the format, you can tap "Edit" in the contact details and make the necessary changes to the phone number field.


By ensuring that your contacts have their phone numbers in the correct format, you should be able to call them without any issues.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 5, 2023 12:57 AM in response to Kerplunkety

the phone number format stored in your contact list can affect your ability to call a contact on your iPhone. Different countries have different phone number formats, and if the phone number in your contact list is not in the correct format, it may cause issues when you try to call that contact.


The correct phone number format generally includes the country code, area code (if applicable), and the local number. For example, if you are in the United States and the contact's number is (555) 123-4567, the correct format would be "+1 555-123-4567" (where "+1" is the country code for the United States).


If the phone number in your contact list is not in the correct format, your iPhone may not be able to recognize it as a valid phone number and could prevent you from making calls to that contact. In some cases, it may also lead to other issues like incorrect caller ID display or difficulties with messaging.


Spaces, Hyphen or Parentheses in a Phone number depends on the International prefix

Watch the GIF below. Note here only numbers are being input, but Spaces, Hyphen or Parentheses are added by iPhone automatically


iPhone 6 iOS 12



If you need to edit a contact's phone number to add or modify the format, you can tap "Edit" in the contact details and make the necessary changes to the phone number field.


By ensuring that your contacts have their phone numbers in the correct format, you should be able to call them without any issues.

Aug 5, 2023 12:53 AM in response to Kerplunkety

You may get better and prompt responses if you may kindly provide the iPhone Model that you have and the iOS version if it is known to you and re-post.



With the limited information that you have provided, It is hard to even guess the problems faced by you. 


You may get faster and better responses to your query by --> Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple ...



Please re-post with detail so that someone else can help.



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I can only call a number if they have called me first

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