T9 Text Input

 

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Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about T9 Text Input. If you don't see your question here, tell us about it. We update this list regularly.

You can use the steps on this page as a general guide for using T9 on your mobile phone.

(Because different phone models use different keys or terms for certain functions, your phone might not exactly match these steps. For instructions specific to your phone model, refer to your user guide.)


[ Is T9 Text Input on my phone? ]
To find out, you can check the messaging or text entry topic in your mobile phone user guide. User guides usually refer to T9 as T9 text input, T9 Word, Dictionary,
or Predictive Text.

Most phones by the following manufacturers have T9:
  • Nokia
  • Samsung
  • Sony Ericsson
  • LG
  • BenQ-Siemens

Many other phone models also have T9.

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[ How do I turn T9 Text Input on? ]
This varies by phone model, but typically you do the following:
  1. Switch to Messaging mode.
  2. Browse the menu to find and select the T9 command, logo, or icon.
  3. Look for it under names like "Predictive Text", "Dictionary" or "T9 Word"

It may also be one of the options you cycle through when you switch from regular typing mode to numbers or symbols while typing a message. For example, many phone models show something like T9Abc or T9.

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[ What if the word T9 suggests isn't the word I want? ]
Use the Next key to scroll through all of the word options for the key presses you entered.

The Next key varies by phone model, but here are some guidelines:
  • On most phone models, it is the down arrow, +, 0, * or 1 keys.
  • On Nokia models it is usually the "+" key.
  • On LGs it is usually the "0" key.
See more information on the Next key

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[ What is Multi-tap mode? ]
Multi-tap mode, which is also called ABC or Alpha mode, was the method for entering text before T9 became available. Sometimes you use it with T9 to add a new word to the T9 dictionary.

In multi-tap mode, you enter a letter by repeatedly pressing a key until the letter you want appears. For example:
  • To enter an "s", press the 7 key four times.
  • To enter "x", press the 9 key twice.
  • To delete a letter, press the Clear or Back key.
  • To enter two or more letters that are on the same key (such as "spr"), wait until the cursor moves to the right after typing the first letter, and then type the next one.

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[ How do I switch between text-entering modes? ]
You might want to switch between T9, Multi-tap, Numbers, and Symbols modes while you are creating a text message. Or, you might switch modes when you want to add uncommon words or terms like "2nite", which contain mixed alpha-numerics, to the T9 dictionary.

Select the mode you want to use before you start typing.

Usually you switch modes using menu commands. Some phones provide shortcut keys for switching modes. For example, you might be able to short- or long-press the * or the # keys to switch from T9 to multi-tap or back.

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[ How do I enter numbers with T9? ]
If you're just entering one number, you don't have to switch to Numbers mode in T9. You can just long-press the key (that is, hold it down for a second or two) to display the number associated with a key.

Or, if you're entering a sequence of numbers, you can switch to Numbers mode.

Usually you switch modes using menu commands. Some phones provide shortcut keys for switching modes. For example, you might be able to short- or long-press the * or the # keys to switch from T9 to numbers or back.

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[ How do I enter symbols with T9? ]
If you're just entering one or two symbols, you don't have to switch to Symbols mode in T9.

  1. Press the 1 key to display symbol most likely to be associated with the word you are typing.
  2. If the symbol T9 suggests isn't the one you want, press the Next key to cycle through other symbol options and select the correct one.

Or, you can switch to Symbols mode. Usually you switch modes using menu commands. Some phones provide shortcut keys for switching modes. For example, you might be able to short- or long-press the * or the # keys to switch from T9 to Symbols or back.

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[ How do I add words to my T9 dictionary? ]
  1. Switch to Multi-tap (ABC) mode.
  2. Enter the word.
  3. Switch back to T9 mode.

T9 automatically adds the word to its dictionary.

Note: Not all phones with T9 include this feature. For more information, please contact your wireless service provider and phone manufacturer.

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[ How do I create my own words in T9? ]
You can spell and add even more words in T9 by compounding, that is, entering your words in segments and linking them together to create a new word.

  1. Type the segment you want.
  2. Press the right arrow key when the word or segment you want appears.

For example, to create the word "supertexter," follow these steps:
  1. In T9, enter the word "super".
  2. Press the right arrow key.
  3. Enter the word "text".
  4. Press the right arrow key.
  5. Enter the word segment "er".
  6. Press the Next key.

Congratulations! You are a supertexter! Try it out with words of your own.
You can also use compounding to create words that are combinations of letters and numbers, such as "cu2morrow".

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[ Does T9 Text Input come in languages other than English? ]
T9 Text Input is available in more than 60 languages.

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[ Can I download another T9 Text Input language onto my phone? ]
Currently, only BenQ-Siemens makes databases available to users. (The ability to download languages and databases is solely at the discretion of the handset manufacturer and/or wireless carrier.)

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[ How do I text-message in Hindi? ]
Hindi T9 Text Entry requires only 9 keys to represent a language with more than 50 characters.
    To type a word in Hindi:
  1. Begin by imagining your word in the basic Hindi alphabet and sounding it out loud.
  2. Enter each Hindi character in phonetic sequence, pressing a single corresponding key where the Hindi letter would be found.
    Note: The stand-alone and combining forms of characters with the same sound reside on the same keys.
  3. If the word you want does not appear after you finish entering it, press the down arrow key to view your other available word choices.
Note: The "viram" sign is found on the 1 key. It is essential when you spell or create consonant half forms and combine consonant forms.

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[ Does T9 contain frequently used chat phrases? ]
Later versions of T9 include with many chat phrases, such as l8r and 2nite.
For phones with older versions of T9, it's easy to add chat phrases using Compounding

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[ When would I use T9? ]
You can use T9 to take advantage of advanced wireless communication services, such as SMS, e-mail, Internet access, contacts, calendar, notes, task lists, and more.
 
Note: the ability to use T9 in other applications beyond text messaging depends on handset manufacturer implementation and may vary according to phone make and model.

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[ Is T9 Text Input supported on the Pocket PC, Treo, or similar devices? Can I download the software? ]
XT9 is the next generation of text input for touch screen devices. It combines the ease and familiarity of typing on a soft QWERTY keyboard with the power of T9 predictive text input. And, it handles along sloppy or haphazard touches to the keyboard.
Remember to check back on T9.com or contact your wireless service provider for news about XT9 for Pocket PCs and other data devices.

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[ Can I purchase T9 Text Input for a mobile phone? ]
T9 Text Input is not sold separately, but T9 technology is built into phones by manufacturers in more than 800 mobile phone models worldwide. Contact your wireless service provider and your phone manufacturer for details about which phones include T9.

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[ What does T9 mean? ]
T9 is short for "Text on 9 Keys."

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