iMessage in Japan

[iammike1]

Just found something interesting and kind of dumb.

Say my phone number in Japan is 080-1234-1234. That's how friends in Japan would have my number in their phone.

Unfortunately iMessage and FaceTime format the number in the international format of +8180-1234-1234 and you can't change it.

As a result, it doesn't think I can iMessage any of my friends unless I enter a second number in their contact information in the international format.

You would think Apple would code it to recognize both in this day and age where people back home will have the +8180 and friends here in Japan will have 080.

 

[Nermal]

As a result, it doesn't think I can iMessage any of my friends unless I enter a second number in their contact information in the international format.

Can't you change the existing number to the +81 format and just use that all the time?

 

[iammike1]

Can't you change the existing number to the +81 format and just use that all the time?

Dunno if that would cause charges on my account or not.

 

[Ashin]

Dunno if this would help, but noticed this setting -

Settings>General>Phone>International Assist

Perhaps toggling that off might help? It's on by default and adds prefixes

 

[Nermal]

I've been using +64 numbers here in NZ for ten years and have never been charged for calling/texting one, so you shouldn't be charged. Obviously I can't speak for your operator in Japan so maybe you could do a test call or text and then check your account to see whether you were charged for it.