iOS 18 finally gets a dialing feature that Androids had for years now

In a move that’s sure to make some Android switchers jump for joy (or at least tap their screens with slightly more enthusiasm), Apple has finally introduced T9 dialing to iOS 18. This long-awaited feature has been a staple on Android devices for years, leaving iPhone users who’ve been around god’s green Earth for a while with a bit of envy.

T9 dialing, for the uninitiated, is a nifty shortcut that allows users to search for contacts by typing letters on the numeric keypad. Want to call your mom? Just punch in 6-6-6 (M-O-M), and voila! Your iPhone will now search for the closest alphabetical match in your contacts. It’s like magic, except it’s been around since the flip phone era…yes, the OG flip phones!

To use this groundbreaking (for iPhone) feature, simply open the Phone app, head to the Keypad, and start tapping away. Each number represents three or four letters, so channel your inner T9 wizard and watch as iOS 18 filters your address book in real-time. When you see the name you’re looking for at the top of the screen, give it a tap, and you’re on your way to a conversation.

But this isn’t the only feature inspired by Android phones. Apple has even added support for call recording with iOS 18. So iPhone users can finally record those important calls, something Android users have been able to do for many years.

Of course, when you start recording a call, the person on the other end will be notified that the call is now being recorded, for privacy reasons. That said, do you think you’ll benefit with the T9 dialer and the option to record calls? Let us know in the comments section below.