Make Calls Faster With This New iOS 18 Feature

[MacRumors]

Apple has finally brought T9 dialing support to the iPhone with iOS 18, a feature long available on Android devices. This addition to the Phone app allows users to quickly find and call contacts using the number pad, which can streamline the process of making calls if you've used the feature before.

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.

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.

Here's how to use T9 dialing in iOS 18:

1. Open the Phone app and tap the keypad tab.
2. Type the contact's name using the number keys (e.g., for "Dad," press 3-2-3).
3. Above the keypad, tap the matching contact to call, or "X more..." to see additional matches.

This feature aims to speed up the calling process, especially for users who prefer the number pad or have difficulty navigating contact lists. It's particularly useful for one-handed operation or when quick dialing is necessary.

Add Contacts From the Keypad

iOS 18 also introduces new options for adding numbers to contacts directly from the keypad. When entering a new number:

1. After entering a new number, tap the new button in the top-left corner of the keypad screen.
2. Choose "Create New Contact" or "Add to Existing Contact" as needed.

That's all there is to it. In addition to the new features described above, Apple has also added the ability to search recent calls. Simply look for the search field at the top of your recent calls list and start typing into it to find the contact or number you're looking for.

Article Link: Make Calls Faster With This New iOS 18 Feature

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I never knew that this was a feature on any phones, and I've been using cell phones once 1998.

Mom is 666, btw. 👹

 

[Ramchi]

Like in Samsung, the Phone app should allow us to mark the names as Tags (instead of creating new contact in your mobile). This will help any temporarily important numbers that you may need to call without having to store it. Also, allow notes to be made along the call so that we can refer this in future. Samsung Phone even allows automatic reporting of spam which could be a good addition.

 

[spamabyss]

Finally! I discovered this recently and was wondering why no one reported on this.

 

[ChrisGerber87]

Linus will be so happy.

 

[Kottu]

Good! Now, how can I delete all calls from individual contacts easily? Do we have to wait for another 15 years?

 

[Kottu]

Finally! I discovered this recently and was wondering why no one reported on this.

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

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...

www.macrumors.com

 

[TechieTaco]

Linus will be so happy.

My exact thought. 😄

 

[Hopefully Smarter]

Siri, call Bob.

Done

 

[newyorksole]

I don’t call nearly enough people for me to do anything other than go into contacts, find them and dial lol.

I do even have “Favorites” anymore, but glad there’s options for others!

 

[mike090910]

Still not going to IOS 18, I just don't see why

 

[ELman]

Still not going to IOS 18, I just don't see why

RCS

 

[pdaholic]

Siri, call Bob.

Done

Siri: “okay, calling Tom.”

 

[turbineseaplane]

Learn something new every day!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Siri: “okay, calling Tom.”

Or even worse (possibly) -- calling the wrong Bob or Tom!

 

[DesignTime]

What am I missing? How is this faster than just searching in Contacts? Wouldn’t you be tapping the same number of characters and possibly having a better list of possible names?

 

[theinstructor]

Siri, call Bob.

Done

Did you say call Debbie? Calling your ex-girlfriend from 30 years ago, Debbie.

 

[ignatius345]

One of the features I miss the most from my old Motorola flip phone is the turbo dial -- you could assign a contact to each number key, so flipping the thing open and holding down "1" would dial that person. I know, I know, there are tons of ways to make shortcuts like this on the iPhone, but there was something so elegant and easy about that interface.

Did you say call Debbie? Calling your ex-girlfriend from 30 years ago, Debbie.

Yep! I got bit by that the other day when calling my WIFE who has the same first name as someone I haven't talked to in easily a full decade but whose contact info I still have. Siri knows who my wife is, and yet is still so brain-dead as to dredge up an ancient contact and call her instead.

I'm naively hoping the "new" Siri coming will be smart enough to avoid this kind of nonsense, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[philstubbington]

One of the features I miss the most from my old Motorola flip phone is the turbo dial -- you could assign a contact to each number key, so flipping the thing open and holding down "1" would dial that person. I know, I know, there are tons of ways to make shortcuts like this on the iPhone, but there was something so elegant and easy about that interface.


Yep! I got bit by that the other day when calling my WIFE who has the same first name as someone I haven't talked to in easily a full decade but whose contact info I still have. Siri knows who my wife is, and yet is still so brain-dead as to dredge up an ancient contact and call her instead.

I'm naively hoping the "new" Siri coming will be smart enough to avoid this kind of nonsense, but I'm not holding my breath.

I have had the same issue where the first syllable of my wife’s name is the same as the last syllable of a former work colleagues name. Siri really can be quite useless.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Siri, call Bob.

Done

Siri: Sorry, I can't kill Bob right now

 

[Rkuda]

Or even worse (possibly) -- calling the wrong Bob or Tom!

Siri will prompt if multiple people have the same first name.

Honestly using Siri to call people works pretty much perfectly and the only way I have called someone in my address book in over 10 years.

This dial pad searching thing sounds like something for boomers.

 

[vertgo]

I never even considered this a valuable feature since we are living in a world with voice command and swipe keyboards, but I just tested it on my old android and it works. So maybe it's of use to someone?

 

[Hank001]

Hey Siri,
Call Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

I’m sorry, but I can call only one person at a time.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Siri will prompt if multiple people have the same first name.

Honestly using Siri to call people works pretty much perfectly and the only way I have called someone in my address book in over 10 years.

This dial pad searching thing sounds like something for boomers.

Boomers! They are 60-80 now. They've were never able to use T9 when they were younger!

I can't see anyone would use it for contact finding. It was for SMS and some people could type stupidly fast on them. Not me.

 

[davidg4781]

I used to use this a lot, 20 years ago.

Now it looks terrible while you're trying to type out a number.