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T9 dialing, or Text on 9 keys, is a predictive text technology that emerged in the late 90s to make it easier to type text messages on devices with limited input options, such as traditional mobile phones with numeric keypads. Each number key (2-9) on a T9 keypad is mapped to a set of letters. For example, the key "2" corresponds to "ABC," "3" to "DEF," and so on.

t9-dialing-phone-keypad-ios-18.jpg

Android phones have had the feature for years, and in iOS 18 beta, Apple has finally added T9 dialing support to the Phone App. So now you can type a contact's name using the number pad, and matching contacts will appear above the keypad.

When you press a key, T9 doesn't just consider the individual letters that the key represents but predicts the most likely word you are trying to type. In the same way, iOS 18 combines all possible letter combinations to filter results from your contacts. To bring up your Dad's number, for example, you would tap 3-2-3 (D-A-D). Or if you have someone called Ben in your contacts, tapping 2-3-6 (B-E-N) should bring up their number.

The best match appears first above the keypad, and tapping the person's name will call them. If there are several possible matches in your contacts, they can be revealed as a list by tapping "X more..." below the first match. Taken together, the new options should enable faster calling.

t9-phone-dialing-ios-18-keypad.jpg

In addition, when you type in a new number into the keypad in iOS 18, it now gives you two options to add it to your contacts. In iOS 17, a single "Add number" option appears above the keypad, whereas in iOS 18 there is a new button in the top-left corner that reveals "Create New Contact" and "Add to Existing Contact."

iOS 18 is currently in beta for Apple Developer Program members, with a public beta to follow in July. The update should be widely released in September.

Article Link: Apple's Phone App Finally Supports T9 Dialing in iOS 18
 



Android phones have had the feature for years, and in iOS 18 beta, Apple has finally added T9 dialing support to the Phone App. So now you can type a contact's name using the number pad, and matching contacts will appear above the keypad.

When you press a key, T9 doesn't just consider the individual letters that the key represents but predicts the most likely word you are trying to type. In the same way, iOS 18 combines all possible letter combinations to filter results from your contacts. To bring up your Dad's number, for example, you would tap 3-2-3 (D-A-D). Or if you have someone called Ben in your contacts, tapping 2-3-6 (B-E-N) should bring up their number.
Why? There’s already a proper contacts list (that’s got a search field) in the phone app! The phone app defaults to the last tap you were using, but I so rarely directly dial anyone these days (usually only businesses) that it makes more sense to just stay in another tab or switch over to one of the other tabs if you are in the keypad tab.
 
Why? There’s already a proper contacts list (that’s got a search field) in the phone app! The phone app defaults to the last tap you were using, but I so rarely directly dial anyone these days (usually only businesses) that it makes more sense to just stay in another tab or switch over to one of the other tabs if you are in the keypad tab.
Why not?
 
Why? There’s already a proper contacts list (that’s got a search field) in the phone app! The phone app defaults to the last tap you were using, but I so rarely directly dial anyone these days (usually only businesses) that it makes more sense to just stay in another tab or switch over to one of the other tabs if you are in the keypad tab.
Much quicker. It's several extra taps more to dial a number through the contacts list. If you've ever used it on Android you will know. It might sound small and it's a huge quality of life update for me. And before someone says "I don't use my phone for calls anymore these days anymore anyway, what are a few taps extra...", I do.
 
Much quicker. It's several extra taps more to dial a number through the contacts list. If you've ever used it on Android you will know. It might sound small and it's a huge quality of life update for me. And before someone says "I don't use my phone for calls anymore these days anymore anyway, what are a few taps extra...", I do.
Why not just swipe down and search for the contact and click the phone button? That seems like the fastest way. I guess this feature could be faster if you're making several calls and are in the phone app, but it also might be as fast for some people to swipe up ('close' phone app), swipe down (to pull up Spotlight), and search for the contact.

Options are great. I'm not knocking this feature; I'm simply offering some other ways to quickly pull up a number.
 
I got my first cellphone in '99 or so (Nokia 5165) and had no idea that T9 could do that. 😵

I was a crazy fast at T9 texting, though.

Yes, this is where I was familiar with T9 Predictive Text input from, too! (Nokia 3210 followed by a 3310 for me.) Likewise wasn't aware of this element…

Always felt the key to the predictive text was to just go with the flow and usually the word you wanted would appear, or be available in the alternatives. When you developed the skill for it, it was a satisfyingly fast & efficient way to communicate.
 
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Not that I’m complaining, but what’s with all the small catchup features this year? I wonder if someone on the dev team made a deal where they’d work on all this weird AI stuff if they also get some time to pick off some easy wins in the backlog.
 
Why not just swipe down and search for the contact and click the phone button? That seems like the fastest way. I guess this feature could be faster if you're making several calls and are in the phone app, but it also might be as fast for some people to swipe up ('close' phone app), swipe down (to pull up Spotlight), and search for the contact.

Options are great. I'm not knocking this feature; I'm simply offering some other ways to quickly pull up a number.
Used it all the time on my Android years ago. Did not understand why it was ommitted since I started using the iPhone (SE): the letters are right there on the keypad!
I was so used to it: just open the Android phone app if I needed phone someone: people in my contact list or the direct number, does not matter.
I think it is quicker. Press phone --> start typing on huge buttons: hard to misstype, can be done one handed. Swiping down on homescreen is somewhat hit and miss for me. Plus one-handed typing, while not misstyping is more difficult.
 
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