Apple has taken an important step with the release of iOS 18 by incorporating a feature that many iPhone users have been waiting for for a long time: T9 dialing. This system, which has been a standard on Android devices for years, allows users search and call your contacts quickly and efficiently using the phone’s numeric keypad.
This is an update that promises simplify the process of making calls, especially for those who prefer a more streamlined method or don’t feel comfortable having to search through their long list of contacts.
T9 dialing, known as “Text on 9 keys” or “Text on 9 keys”, was a revolutionary technology that emerged in the late 90s, when mobile phones had numeric keypads. limited from 1 to 9. This predictive tool made it easier to write text messages on devices with physical buttons, assigning each key (2 to 9) a set of letters. For example, the number “2” represented the letters “ABC,” while “3” corresponded to the letters “DEF,” and so on.
With the arrival of iOS 18, this technology returns to our iPhone, but this time applied to the Phone app, where users will be able to locate their contacts more efficiently and comfortably. When you type a contact’s name using the number keys, the predictive system will display the best match at the top of the keyboard. If there are several possible matches, the user can display a complete list of options by clicking on “X more…”.
How to use T9 dialing on iPhone
Apple has designed this feature to be simple and intuitive. Below are the steps to get the most out of the new T9 system in iOS 18:
- Open the Phone app and select the keyboard tab.
- Enter the contact’s name using the number keys (for example, for “Mom,” press 6-2-6).
- The contact that best matches what you have written will appear at the top of the keyboard. If the name you are looking for is not the first in the list, tap “X more…” to see other options.
- Press the name of the desired contact to make the call.
This feature is especially useful for users who want to make calls quickly and don’t have time to scroll through extensive contact lists. In addition, it is ideal for those who usually use the phone with one hand.
How to add contacts on iPhone
Another significant improvement that comes with iOS 18 is the ability to add new contacts directly from the numeric keypad. If you dial a number that is not yet in your phonebook, you can now save it much more quickly. The steps to do it are:
- After entering a new number, look for the button in the upper left corner of the keypad screen.
- Select “Create new contact” or “Add to existing contact,” depending on what you need.
This functionality not only saves time, but also eliminates the need to switch between different applications to add a new number.
iOS 18 introduces T9 for dial contacts quicklyadd numbers from the keypad and a search tool on recent calls. These improvements make interaction with the calling feature more efficient, simplifying everyday tasks and showing Apple’s commitment to user convenience.
