Ever tried calling someone overseas and ended up staring at your screen, totally confused by international area codes? You’re not alone! That’s why Dial Assist exists. It’s a handy feature on smartphones that helps you call people in other countries—without the headache.
But what exactly does it do? And should you keep it on or turn it off? Let’s break it down in a fun and simple way!
What Is Dial Assist?
Dial Assist is like the smarty-pants friend who knows all the country codes by heart. When you’re calling a number internationally, your phone uses Dial Assist to automatically add the correct country and area codes—even if you forget to type them in.
So instead of worrying about whether to add a +1, +44, or whatever comes next, Dial Assist takes care of that for you. All you need to do is dial the number, and voila! It connects your call like magic.

How Does It Work?
Here’s how simple it is:
- You punch in a phone number.
- Your smartphone checks which country you’re in and where the number is going.
- Dial Assist adds the right code in the background.
- Your call goes through smoothly!
No more guessing or googling country codes at the last minute.
Where Can You Find It?
Most iPhones and Android devices have this feature. On iPhone, for example, you’ll find Dial Assist under:
- Settings
- Then go to Phone
- Scroll down and you’ll see Dial Assist
It’s usually turned on by default.
Should You Keep It On?
Hmm, great question! Most of the time, yes—it’s super handy. But there are a few reasons people choose to turn it off. Let’s look at the pros and cons.
Why You Should Keep It On:
- Easy international calling: No more worrying about prefixes.
- Time-saver: It adds the correct codes in a flash.
- Error-proof: Reduces wrong numbers due to missing digits.
Why You Might Want to Turn It Off:
- Calling issues: Some users report connection problems with certain carriers.
- Specific numbers: Certain local or toll-free numbers might not dial correctly.
- Privacy concerns: A few folks just prefer full control over what numbers their phone dials.
If you’ve experienced weird issues like calls not going through or numbers auto-changing—Dial Assist might be the reason. Try turning it off and see if it helps.

How to Turn It Off
If you want to try switching it off, here’s how (on an iPhone):
- Go to Settings
- Tap Phone
- Scroll down and toggle off Dial Assist
That’s it! Super simple. On Android phones, your steps might vary depending on the brand, but it’s usually found in the phone or call settings.
So, Should YOU Disable It?
It depends! If Dial Assist is helping you make smooth international calls, then keep it on and let it do its thing.
But if you’re having issues with local calls not working or numbers changing in strange ways, turning it off might give you more control. Try both and see what works best for you!
At the end of the day, it’s just a tool—like GPS for your phone calls. Some people love it, some prefer the old-school route.
Final Thoughts
Dial Assist is one of those low-key phone features that can really make life easier—especially for globetrotters and people with friends across the ocean. But like anything, it’s not perfect.
Now that you know what it does, how it works, and how to manage it, you’re officially a Dial Assist expert. Go you!
