Speed dial is a feature that registers frequently used phone numbers under short 1-2 digit codes for quick dialing. Widely used on landline phones and business phones, it streamlines calls to emergency contacts and frequently contacted business partners.
Landline and business phones typically allow 10-100 speed dial entries. For example, pressing just "01" dials the head office number. On business phones connected to a PBX, system-wide speed dial numbers (shared across all handsets) and individual speed dial numbers (set per handset) can be used separately.
On smartphones, contact favorites and widgets serve the speed dial role. On iPhone, contacts added to "Favorites" can be called with a single tap, and on Android, a direct-dial widget can be placed on the home screen for the same effect. Apple Watch lets you call favorites from the Contacts app with just a wrist gesture, enabling quick calls even when your hands are full. Voice commands to Siri or Google Assistant ("Call [name]") also function as practical speed dial.
Senior-friendly simple smartphones and landline phones designed for elderly users often feature physical one-touch buttons for registering family and emergency contacts. Some models allow photo or name labels to be attached to buttons, enabling even those unfamiliar with technology to dial without confusion. Setting these up provides peace of mind for households with elderly family members as a quick emergency contact method. For business phones, regular audits of speed dial entries are recommended, as outdated entries from staff transfers or departures can cause misdials.