Apple has finally introduced T9 dialing in iOS 18, a feature that has long been popularized on Android devices.The addition of T9 dialing allows users to quickly find a contact and make a call via the dialing keypad, greatly simplifying the dialing process, especially for those who have used the feature before.
T9 dialing (also known as 9-key input/nine-key pinyin input) is a predictive text technology that first appeared in the late 1990s to provide an easier way to enter text on devices with limited input options, such as traditional numeric keypad cell phones. In the T9 keyboard, each number key (2-9) is mapped to a set of letters. For example, the key "2" corresponds to the letters "A", "B" and "C". The "3" key corresponds to "D", "E", "F", and so on.
The system will display the most matching contact name above the dialing keypad, and you can dial the number by touching the contact name. If there are multiple matches, tap "X more..." to expand the full contact list. This allows users to dial more efficiently.
Here are the steps on how to use T9 dialing in iOS 18:
- Open the Phone app and tap on the Dialing Keypad tab.
- Use the NUMBER keys to enter the name of the contact (e.g., to enter "Ben" press 2-3-6).
- At the top of the keypad, click on a matching contact to dial, or click "X more..." to see other matches.
This feature is designed to speed up the dialing process, especially for users who are more comfortable using the numeric keypad or who are not comfortable navigating the contact list. T9 dialing is especially useful for one-handed operation or for scenarios where speed dialing is required.
Adding contacts from the dialing keypad
iOS 18 also adds the ability to add contacts directly from the dialing keypad. After entering a new number, users can:
- Once you have entered the number, click the new button in the upper left corner of the keypad screen.
- Select "Create New Contact" or "Add to Existing Contact" as required.
It's that simple. In addition to the new features mentioned above, Apple has also added the ability to search for recent calls. Users can simply find the search box at the top of the Recent Calls list and enter the relevant information to quickly find the desired contact or number.
This new set of features enhances the convenience of the Phone app, making it more efficient for iPhone users to dial and manage contacts.
