While subsequent updates like iOS 18.4 introduced new elements such as additional emoji, the core functionality of T9 dialing landed with the initial iOS 18 rollout. This addition allows iPhone users to initiate calls simply by typing a contact's name directly within the Phone app, eliminating the need to search through contacts or recent messages.
Here's a comprehensive look at T9 dialing and how to use it on your iPhone.
What exactly is T9 dialing?
T9 is an acronym for "Text on 9 keys." This input method was prevalent in the era before mobile phones featured full QWERTY keyboards. Older phones typically had a 12-key setup, including numbers zero through nine, alongside the star (*) and pound (#) keys. Texting primarily relied on the nine numerical keys, with each key assigned multiple letters. The zero key usually functioned as a spacebar, and the one key was typically blank.
Initially, composing a word like "hello" using the traditional multi-tap method required multiple presses for each letter: 44(H)-33(E)-555(L)-555(L)-666(O). This was a cumbersome process for even short words.
T9 texting emerged as an early form of predictive text, significantly speeding up message composition by allowing users to press each key only once per letter. With T9, typing "hello" became a much simpler sequence: 4-3-5-5-6.
You can still see the letter assignments corresponding to each number key by opening your iPhone's Phone app and tapping the "Keypad" option at the bottom of the screen.
How to Use T9 Dialing on Your iPhone
With iOS 18, implementing T9 dialing for making calls is straightforward:
Open the Phone application on your iPhone.
Tap the Keypad icon located at the bottom of the display.
From this point, begin entering the name of the person you wish to call using the T9 principle. For example, to call "Dad," you would press 3-2-3 on the keypad. For "Mom," you would dial 6-6-6 (rest assured, this is purely coincidental and not a cause for alarm!).
As you type, potential contact matches should appear at the top of the screen. Should you make an error while typing, a backspace button will become visible below the pound/hashtag key, allowing you to correct your entry as needed. It's worth noting that there is no dedicated space button in this dialing interface.
Once the desired contact appears, tap their name. Their phone number will automatically populate the dialing field. Finally, press the green call button to initiate the call.
If your contacts include multiple individuals with names that correspond to the same T9 input sequence, an option indicating the number of additional matches (e.g., "3 more…") will appear below the primary result. Tapping this option will open a new list displaying all the relevant contacts.
From this list, you can tap the call button next to the correct contact's name to start the call immediately. Be prepared for the possibility of needing to explain why you are calling rather than sending a text message.
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