iOS 18 Beta 2 Now Available with T9 Dialing Feature
Apple’s release of the second public beta for iOS 18 on July 29 brings a host of new features, including the highly anticipated T9 dialing. Announced in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference, this beta update allows users to further personalize their iPhones, enhancing home screen, lock screen, and Control Center customizations.
As always with beta software, installing it on a secondary device is recommended due to potential bugs and battery performance issues. I’ve personally opted to install the beta on my older iPhone XR to keep my main device, an iPhone 14 Pro, free of any disruptions.
Keep in mind that this beta version might not represent the final release of iOS 18, which is expected this fall, though the exact release date is yet to be confirmed.
Understanding T9 Dialing
T9, or Text on 9 keys, was a common feature on older phones with 12 keys. Each key represented multiple letters, making texting more cumbersome compared to modern devices. T9 predictive text significantly reduced typing effort by predicting words based on fewer key presses.
How to Use T9 Dialing
To use T9 dialing in iOS 18:
- Open the Call app.
- Tap Keypad.
Enter the contact’s name using T9 key combinations. For example, to call “Mom,” type 6-6-6. If multiple contacts have the same name, you’ll see an option like “3 more…” to view all relevant contacts. Select the correct one and press the green call button to start the call.