If you’re one of the many iPhone users who find it challenging to remember phone numbers, you’ll be thrilled with a new feature introduced in iOS 18: T9 dialing. With this update, Apple has streamlined how we make calls, allowing users to dial by simply typing the name of the contact rather than searching through their entire address book.
According to a recent poll by WhistleOut, approximately 17% of respondents admitted they didn’t know their partner’s phone number. With T9 dialing now available, memorizing numbers is a thing of the past. Let’s explore what T9 dialing is and how it can make your calling experience more efficient.
What Is T9 Dialing?
T9 stands for Text on 9 keys, originally designed to simplify typing on older mobile phones that featured numeric keypads. Each number on those keypads corresponds to a series of letters: for instance, the number 2 corresponds to A, B, and C. Before T9, typing a word like “hello” required multiple key presses for each letter; T9 allows you to enter the sequence more efficiently. For example, instead of pressing 4-3-5-5-6 for “hello,” you can simply enter 4-3-5-5-6, making the process much quicker.
How to Use T9 Dialing on Your iPhone
Using T9 dialing on your iPhone is straightforward. Here’s how you can make calls faster:
1. Open your Phone app.
2. Tap Keypad at the bottom of the screen.
Begin typing the name of the person you wish to call using the T9 format. For example, you would type 3-2-3 for “dad” or 6-6-6 for “mom.” As you type, their name will appear at the top of the screen, so you can easily find who you’re looking for. If you make an error, simply hit the backspace button until you correct it. Although there isn’t an explicit space button, this shouldn’t hinder your experience.
If multiple contacts share the same name, a prompt indicating “3 more…” will appear. Tap it to view all related contacts and select the correct one to start the call. Just be prepared for the inevitable question about why you’re calling instead of texting!
For those looking for more iOS updates, consider checking out my insights on the latest features in iOS or ways to enhance your device’s performance.