Long distance call troubleshooting
Calling friends and family around the world? We love that! If your call isn’t going through, we’ll help you sort it out. Want to check the rates first? See our international calling rates.
📅 New to Ting?
International calling is available once your account has been active for 90 days.
How to dial an international number
Most international call issues come down to how the number is dialed, so let’s start there.
How to dial an international number
+
Plus sign
Press and hold 0. Or dial 011.
44
Country code
The code for the country you're calling.
20 1234 5678
Phone number
Leave out any 0 at the start.
Examples
| Calling | Number written locally | What you dial |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 020 1234 5678 | +44 20 1234 5678 |
| Mexico | 55 1234 5678 | +52 55 1234 5678 |
| Canada | (604) 555 1234 | 1 604 555 1234 |
✈️ Calling from outside the US?
That's roaming, not long distance, and it works a little differently. Learn about international roaming
Troubleshooting steps
Number looks right but the call still won’t connect? Work through these steps in order. Most issues are fixed in the first few.
Show steps for:
Check the number
Most international call issues come down to how the number is dialed. Start here.
On your phone's keypad, press and hold 0 until a + appears. Then enter the country code and the number.
The + works no matter where you're calling from, so you don't need to remember exit codes.
Every country has its own calling code, like 44 for the UK or 52 for Mexico. Find country codes here.
Calling Canada? Canada uses the same code as the US. Just dial 1, the area code, and the number.
Many countries start local numbers with a 0. Leave it out when calling from the US.
For example, a UK number written as 020 1234 5678 is dialed as +44 20 1234 5678.
Calling a saved contact? Try typing the full number into your keypad instead. If that works, edit the saved contact so it uses the + and country code.
Quick checks
Still not connecting? These only take a minute.
A quick restart refreshes your connection and fixes a lot of issues.
Try calling a number in the US. If local calls aren't working either, the issue is with your service, not just long distance. Troubleshoot no service
Call another number in the same country, like a local business. If that call goes through, the issue may be with the number you're trying to reach.
Have an unpaid balance? International calling may not work until it's cleared. Log in to your Ting account to check.
Check your phone settings
A few settings can get in the way of international calls.
Dial Assist can change the number you dial by adding or removing codes.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Phone.
- Turn off Dial Assist.
VoLTE (Voice over LTE) gives you clearer calls and a more stable connection.
iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Cellular.
- Select Cellular Data Options.
- Tap Voice & Data.
- Choose LTE or 5G, and make sure VoLTE is on.
Android
Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Connections.
- Select Mobile networks.
- Turn on VoLTE calls.
Google Pixel and most other Android phones
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Select SIMs.
- Turn on VoLTE.
Not seeing a VoLTE option? Your phone likely turns it on automatically.
Wi-Fi Calling can sometimes get in the way of international calls. Turn it off, make your call, then turn it back on.
iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Phone.
- Select Wi-Fi Calling.
- Turn it off.
Android
Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Connections.
- Select Wi-Fi Calling.
- Turn it off.
Google Pixel and most other Android phones
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Select SIMs.
- Tap Wi-Fi calling and turn it off.
Still not working?
These take a little longer, but they often fix stubborn issues.
Keeping your phone up to date helps avoid compatibility issues.
iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install and follow the prompts.
Android
Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Software update.
- Tap Download and install.
Google Pixel and most other Android phones
- Go to Settings.
- Tap System.
- Select Software updates.
- Tap System update.
📌 Note: This will erase your saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and Bluetooth connections.
iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Choose Reset Network Settings.
Android
Samsung Galaxy
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General management.
- Select Reset.
- Tap Reset network settings.
- Tap Reset settings to confirm.
Google Pixel and most other Android phones
- Go to Settings.
- Tap System.
- Select Reset options.
- Tap Reset Mobile Network Settings and confirm.
- Go back and tap Reset Bluetooth & Wi-Fi and confirm.
Phone networks in some countries get busy at peak times. If your call won't connect, wait a few minutes and try again.
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