A phone number you typed came back looking different

Type 4175550123 and it comes back as (417) 555-0123. Nothing was changed about the number — only how it is written.

Why

Numbers are stored in one standard shape so that two things work:

• Texting them works. The messaging network needs a specific format, and a number typed with spaces or dashes has to be converted before anything can be sent to it.
• The same number typed two ways is not treated as two people. 417-555-0123 and (417) 555 0123 are the same line, and storing them as written would make them look like two different contacts.

What you will see

On screen, written the normal way. Underneath, stored as a plus sign, the country code and ten digits.

If a number is refused

It could not be read as a number that can be dialled — usually too few digits, or an extension typed on the end. An extension is not part of the number and cannot be stored with it; put it in the contact’s name or raise it with us if it matters.