This guide will walk you through exactly what you need to do to successfully text American numbers from your Australian phone—without the frustrating trial and error I went through.
Understanding International Texting Basics
Before diving into the specific steps, we need to get our heads around how international texting actually works. It’s not complicated once you understand the foundation.
Country codes are essentially international “area codes” that tell the global phone system which nation you’re trying to reach. Think of them as postal codes, but for phone communication. Without the correct country code, your message simply won’t know where to go—like sending a letter without a country on the address.
When you text locally within Australia, you’re probably used to formats like 04XX XXX XXX. But international texting requires a different approach. The difference might seem small, but it’s actually the reason why so many messages fail to deliver.
And yes, international texts usually cost more than local ones—I’ll break down those costs later, but it’s something to keep in mind from the start.
Step-by-Step Process to Text American Numbers
Alright, here’s the part you came for—the actual process to text an American number from Australia:
- Start with the American number you want to text. Let’s say it’s (555) 123-4567.
- Remove any trunk codes or brackets. American numbers sometimes include a leading “1” when written for domestic use, or parentheses around area codes. Remove these, so you just have: 555 123 4567.
- Add the United States country code. For the US, this is +1. Your number should now look like: +1 555 123 4567.
- That’s it! Enter this number in your messaging app, write your text, and hit send.
You have another option too. Instead of using the + symbol, you can use Australia’s international access code (0011), followed by the country code without the plus sign. So the same number would be: 0011 1 555 123 4567.
I personally find the plus sign method easier—it’s more universal and works when roaming as well.
When texting American numbers, keep in mind that not all US numbers can receive international SMS. While most mobile numbers work fine, some landlines or specialized service numbers might not accept text messages. If you’re texting a US business, you might want to double-check that their number supports SMS from international numbers.
For your first international text, I’d recommend sending something short like “Testing from Australia” to confirm the connection works before sending longer messages.
Alternative Methods For Texting Abroad
Traditional SMS isn’t your only option for reaching American contacts. In fact, if you’re communicating regularly, it might not even be your best option.
Internet-based messaging apps provide a cost-effective—often free—alternative to standard SMS. Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Signal use data rather than the SMS network, meaning you can text US numbers without international charges. The only catch? Both you and your recipient need to have the same app installed.
For those who frequently communicate internationally, dual-SIM phones offer another solution. These allow you to keep your Australian SIM while adding a US-based SIM for more affordable communication with American contacts.
Voice over IP (VoIP) services like Google Voice can provide you with a US phone number that works over the internet. This lets your American contacts text you as if you had a local US number, potentially saving them international texting costs as well.
Each approach has its benefits:
- SMS: Works universally with any phone, no app needed
- Messaging apps: Usually free, but requires app installation
- VoIP services: Gives you an actual US number, but may involve setup costs
From my experience helping people stay connected internationally, messaging apps tend to be the most convenient solution for regular personal communication, while traditional SMS remains valuable for reaching people who might not use the same apps.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the correct formatting, sometimes messages to US numbers don’t go through. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common issues:
Message Delivery Failures If your message simply isn’t being delivered, first double-check your formatting. The most common mistake is forgetting the country code or including unnecessary zeros.
Verify that international texting is enabled on your account—some carriers require this feature to be activated, especially on prepaid plans.
Delayed Message Delivery International texts can sometimes take longer than domestic ones—typically anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. This is normal. However, if your message still hasn’t delivered after several hours, it may have failed completely. In this case, try sending it again or use an alternative method.
Character Limitations International SMS may have stricter character limits than domestic messages. While standard SMS allows 160 characters, international messages sometimes support fewer characters before being split into multiple messages—which means multiple charges.
If you’re consistently having issues, it’s worth contacting your carrier’s customer service for specific troubleshooting related to your plan and phone model.
Special Considerations and Advanced Tips
Time Zone Awareness Remember that the US spans multiple time zones, from Eastern Time (14-17 hours behind Australia, depending on daylight saving) to Pacific Time (18-21 hours behind). When texting American contacts, be mindful of these differences—what’s a convenient afternoon for you might be the middle of the night for them.
The website timeanddate.com offers a handy time zone converter if you’re unsure.
Emergency Communication It’s important to note that SMS should never be relied upon for emergencies, especially internationally. Message delivery isn’t guaranteed to be immediate, and during network congestion, texts can be delayed significantly. For urgent matters, a phone call is always more reliable.
Long-term Solutions for Frequent Communication If you’re texting the US regularly, consider these options:
- Switch to a plan with included international texting
- Use a messaging app for most communications
- For businesses, consider a dedicated international communication solution
Bringing It All Together
Texting between Australia and the US doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive once you understand the basics. To recap the essentials:
- Format US numbers with the +1 country code (for example, +1 555 123 4567)
- Be aware of potential costs from your carrier
- Consider alternatives like messaging apps for regular communication
Taking a few moments to set things up correctly can save you both money and frustration. And remember—while technology bridges the distance, being mindful of time zones remains important for maintaining good international relationships.
For businesses that need to regularly communicate with American customers or partners via text, bulk SMS solutions offer significant advantages over standard person-to-person texting. These SMS solutions allow you to send messages to multiple US numbers simultaneously, often at reduced per-message rates.
If you’re looking for a reliable way to manage international text messaging for your business, 160.com.au provides comprehensive bulk SMS services with international coverage. Operating since 2000, 160 offers easy-to-use SMS solutions with no monthly fees or contracts, making it particularly suitable for businesses that communicate with American contacts regularly. Their platform includes features like delivery reports, message scheduling, and even email-to-SMS conversion, which can be especially valuable for international communication where timing and reliability matter.
Whether you’re staying in touch with family overseas or managing business communications across continents, the right approach to international texting can make distance feel a little less significant in our connected world.