How to Use the Long-Awaited T9 Dialer on iPhone with iOS 18

During Apple’s WWDC keynote, a multitude of features in iOS 18, macOS 15, and the new Apple Intelligence were revealed. However, one of the most exciting announcements for many iPhone users is the introduction of a basic feature – the T9 dialer, finally making its way to iOS 18.

This might seem surprising to younger users, but T9 (or Text on 9 keys) was revolutionary for texting on old phones with numeric keypads. It allowed people to type using single key presses for each letter, with the OS predicting the intended word. While Android users have had T9 dialing on their phone apps for years, this is the first time it’s being integrated into iOS.

With the updated Phone app in iOS 18, you can now type a contact’s name on the keypad, and the app will suggest matching entries. This eliminates the need to search for a contact in the Contacts tab of the Phone app, where you would typically have to manually type their name in the search bar. With the T9 dialer, you can now perform this action directly from the Keypad screen.

How to Utilize T9 Dialer on iOS 18

To use the new T9 dialer, your iPhone must be running iOS 18, which is currently in developer beta. You can enroll in the beta program by following this guide. If you’re already using iOS 18, here’s how to use the T9 dialer:

Open the Phone app and navigate to the Keypad screen.

Let’s say you want to call your editor, Anmol. Simply type “26665” on the keypad. Anmol’s contact details will be displayed at the top of the keypad.

Tap on the suggested entry to load his complete phone number. You can now contact Anmol by tapping the Dial button.

If there are multiple contacts with matching entries, you can tap on “more…” below the suggested contact. This will take you to the Names screen, where you can locate the desired contact and call them by tapping the Phone icon next to their name.

It’s satisfying to see iOS catching up, although this feature should have been available a decade ago. It’s a much-needed upgrade over manual search, and it eliminates the need to use Spotlight as a workaround for making quick calls. The T9 dialer within the Phone app is presently accessible in the iOS 18 developer beta. If you’re eager to test it, we recommend waiting a few more weeks for Apple to release the public beta for regular users.

What are your thoughts on the T9 dialer in iOS 18? Is it something you’ve been eagerly anticipating for all these years? Let us know in the comments.