Update: iOS 15.5 fixed this issue in many regions and phone models. However, some regions and phone models have not resolved this issue. Please contact Apple to provide feedback regarding this feature.

iOS 15.4 was released on March 14, 2022. This iOS release changed how third-party applications such as Outlook or Teams interact with phone numbers containing special characters. Tapping phone numbers that contain a pound (#) or star (*) symbol in app no longer link to the phone app. While the link appears clickable, tapping on it will not start a call. Native iOS apps are unaffected by this change.  

Apple released documentation verifying that this new behavior is by design. You can read more about it in the link below. 

Please contact Apple to provide feedback regarding this change. 

Additional Links: 

https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/featuredarticles/iPhoneURLScheme_Reference/PhoneLinks/PhoneLinks.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007899-CH6-SW1

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