<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 18.2.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 18.2.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "Messages",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/Messages/MSRecipient/init(phoneNumber:)",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Initializer",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Initializer",
    "modules" : [
      "Messages"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "s:8Messages11MSRecipientV11phoneNumberACSS_tcfc"
  },
  "title" : "init(phoneNumber:)"
}
-->

# init(phoneNumber:)

Creates a new critical message recipient with the provided phone number.

```
init(phoneNumber: String)
```

## Parameters

`phoneNumber`

a phone number that conforms to the [E.164 — international public telecommunication numbering plan](https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-E.164-201011-I/en), without any non-numeric characters such as parentheses, periods, dashes, or a plus character (+) that introduces a country code.

## Discussion

Use this method to create a new critical message recipient. When delivering messages, the framework
displays the phone number you provide here.

> Note: If the framework can’t send a message due to an invalid phone number, the framework throws and ``doc://com.apple.messages/documentation/Messages/MSCriticalMessagingError/sendFailed`` error.

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)