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, short for "Text on 9 keys," is a predictive text technology that maps letters to number keys. In iOS 18, users can now type a contact's name using the number pad, with matching contacts appearing above the keypad.

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

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.

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