How to use T9 dialing on an iPhone in iOS 18

Remember the good old days of flip phones when you could quickly dial a number by typing out part of a contact’s name using just a few keys? That was all thanks to T9 dialing. The feature has eluded iOS from the get-go, but with iOS 18, things have changed.

Alongside the plethora of new iOS 18 features, Apple has also brought T9 Dialing to iPhones. Read on to understand how T9 dialing works and how to use it on your iPhone.

What is T9 dialing?

T9 (or Text on 9 keys) was popular when mobile phones had physical number pads. It allowed users to dial numbers or type text messages using just a few key presses, predicting the word or name they wanted based on the numbers they tapped. Each number key represents multiple letters. For instance, 2 represents A, B, and C.

As such, with predictive text, T9 makes dialing and texting much faster. For those who are always on the go, T9 dialing became a favorite because it simplified things, allowing you to find contacts or type messages without tapping each letter individually.

How to use T9 dialing in iOS 18

iOS 18 has finally brought T9 dialing to the delight of many users. Here’s how you can use this feature on your iPhone.

1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
2. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see the Keypad option. Tap on it to bring up the number pad.
3. Now, start typing the name of the contact you want to call. For instance, if you wish to call someone named Steve, you’d press the keys like this:
   • 7 (for P, Q, R, S)
   • 8 (for T, U, V)
   • 3 (for D, E, F)
   • 8 (for T, U, V)
   • 3 (for D, E, F)
     
     
4. As you type, iOS 18 will start predicting the contact based on the numbers you’re pressing. A list of possible matches will appear at the top of the screen. Once the correct contact appears, simply tap on their name to place the call.
5. In some cases, there might be multiple contacts that share the same T9 letters. In that case, you can simply tap on the More text.
6. This will show you a list of all the contacts that match the T9 numbers. You can then directly call them from the new window.
   
   

Bonus: Add contacts from the iPhone Keypad

In addition to T9 dialing, iOS 18 also makes it easier to add new contacts directly from the keypad in the Phone app. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Phone app and switch to the Keypad tab.
2. Type in the phone number of the contact you want to add.
3. After you’ve entered the number, tap on the Add to Contact icon in the top-left corner.
4. You’ll be prompted with two options: Create New Contact and Add to Existing Contact. Choose whichever applies, then fill in the necessary details like the contact’s name, email, etc.
5. Once you’ve entered the details, tap Save, and that’s it. The new contact will be saved to your iPhone.
   
   

Why is T9 dialing not working on my iPhone?

If T9 dialing isn’t working on your iPhone, it could be due to a few common reasons. Most likely, your device’s software settings may need adjusting or there might be a bug in the system.

To fix that, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18, as T9 dialing is only available in this version or later. Additionally, you can try restarting your iPhone. This can help resolve minor glitches that prevent T9 dialing from functioning properly.

Signing off…

Bringing back T9 dialing in iOS 18 is a game changer for those who love quick and convenient ways to make calls. It gives a nostalgic nod to the days of flip phones while taking advantage of modern features.

I know when I switched from Android to iPhone, the lack of T9 Dialing was a big bummer to me. Thankfully, I can go back to my ways of swiftly calling people with ease.