How can I type the name of the person I'm calling on the dial pad and make the call?

Question

I was an Android user before. Now I'm using an iPhone X but cannot get used to the dial pad because I can't find the person by typing their name like I did on my previous mobile phone.

Is there any method of searching contacts in the dial pad by typing the name in iPhone? Is there any easy way?

Answer 1

In terms of an easier way, you have a number of options you can try. In addition to using the Contacts tab as pointed out by Nimesh Neema, you can also try:

• Installing one of the many 3rd party apps, many of them free, that offer the functionality you're after (i.e. typing a contact's name via the dial pad)
• Adding most of your commonly used numbers into your Favourites list
• Using Siri to make calls, but not necessarily by saying, "Hey Siri, call...", but also by enabling the Type to Siri feature (more info below)

• By swiping down from the middle of your screen to conduct a search and then doing one of the following:

  -- start entering the name of your contact until you see them listed as your "Top Hit" and then tap on the phone icon to call them (or the message icon, etc)

  -- enter the word "Call" followed by the first few letters of the name of your contact to get the option to call them

Enable the 'Type to Siri' feature

On your iPhone do as follows:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap on General > Accessibility
3. Swipe up until you see the Siri label
4. Tap on Siri and enable the Type to Siri option at top of screen
5. Exit Settings

Now when you hold your Home button down (or in the case of an iPhone X or above, by holding the side power button) you’ll get a keyboard pop up from the bottom allowing you to type directly to Siri (see screenshot below):

6. Now type the word "Call" followed by your contact's name, or just type your contact's name to be presented with a contact card from which you can call, text, email, etc.

Answer 2

You can’t type the name of contact on the dial pad, only a number. Unlike some other mobile OSs, iPhone (iOS) doesn't provide such feature. This is what you can do instead to achieve similar result.

1. Go to the Phone app → Contacts tab (3rd item, show in centre, at the bottom of the screen).

   

2. Tap on the search bar shown towards the top.

   

3. Type the desired contact’s name to search from the list of Contacts.

   

4. Once located, tap on the contact name to reveal the details for the contact.

   

5. Now tap on the desired number to make the call.

Answer 3

As Monomeeth said you can install:

one of the many 3rd party apps, many of them free, that offer the functionality you're after (i.e. typing a contact's name via the dial pad)

One app that has a good rating is Speed Dial - Smart T9 Dialer. You can get a better description of features from the developer's website.

I have installed this app. It takes a little time to work it out, but it offers heaps of features and really helps you organize all of your calls and messages from one place.

Be aware it does have annoying ads (which you can pay to remove) and you do need to make in app purchases for some features, so it may not be your cup of tea.

I would try the other suggestions by Monomeeth and Nimesh Neema first to see if you can get used to a different and maybe even better way of making calls, but if that doesn't rock your boat this could be the one for you. :]

Regards, Liam