Retro Txt T9 Number Keyboard

Name: Retro Txt T9 Number Keyboard
Rating: 3.9 (108 reviews)
Author: Digital Tools Ltd

By: Digital Tools Ltd

Text like it's 1999

Features & Capabilities

Dive back into the nostalgia of the '90s with Retro Txt, a T9 keyboard that turns iPhone and iPad into a throwback texting device. It offers a system-wide T9 experience, predictive text, large buttons, a customizable T9 dictionary, and the ability to craft custom keyboards.

Personalize your typing with retro styles, fast shortcuts, smart keypress logic, and a dedicated number lock. Some features require a one-time in-app purchase to unlock.

User Growth & Download Statistics

App Communication Design Accessibility

By:

Digital Tools Ltd

Rating:

3.90

(108)

Version:

2.9.0 Last updated: 2026-02-10

Version code:

882278134

Creation date:

2014-11-13

Compatible devices:

Size:

24.18MB

URLs:

Website ,Privacy policy

Full description:

Source:

Apple Apps Store

Data ingested on:

2026-06-06

Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

# 155,062 ▼ 126

For Developers

Monetize with App Pass Boost with Extension Booster

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.

Developed by:

Digital Tools Ltd

Apple Apps Store

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retro-txt-t9-number-keyboard/id936299405

Website:

https://apps.digitaltools.nz/retrotxt

User Reviews

Users praise the nostalgic T9 recreation and the free version’s sufficiency, but multiple reviews highlight usability and reliability issues. Top complaints include overly aggressive predictive text with no easy override, the absence of an enter/return key, and limited punctuation/emoji support. Several reports mention bugs, toggles and persistence problems, and some criticize the pricing/paywall model. Overall, the concept is beloved and simple, but meaningful improvements are needed to make it usable across apps and contexts.

Pros

Nostalgic recreation of classic T9 texting that feels like using old Nokia-style keyboards.
Free version provides essential features and works without paying.
Simple, straightforward and easy to use for nostalgia seekers.

Cons

Predictive text is overly aggressive and cannot be easily overridden or disabled, causing unwanted word choices.
Missing enter/return key, making it hard to send messages in some apps.
Lack of punctuation/symbols and emoji support in many contexts, forcing a switch to another keyboard.
Bugs and reliability issues (toggles, haptic feedback, persistence) that disrupt usage.
Paid features and dictionary paywalls with reports of high price and subscription concerns.

Recent reviews

I absolutely LOVED T9 “back in my day”, and this app is so close to how it was! It was incredibly nostalgic to use again. I do, however, wish that it was like the old T9 keyboards where it allow you to switch to “multi-tap” mode for individual spelling of words that isn’t in the typical “predictable text” options. Maybe I can’t figure it out despite having read the directions, but I can’t get the keyboard to allow for individual letters. I also wish it had the typical key that “set” a word in and then the word could be manipulated after rather than it deleting the whole word/changing the entire word again like the old T9 had. If you hit “>” then it would set the word. Removing the middle-of-typing blue highlight IYKYK 😂 Overall I love the app!

by Li*****, 2026-03-28

I'm not sure what any of the bad reviews are about (and I’m glad I didn’t pay them any mind) because this app is exactly what it set out to be! If you need any help understanding how to get to the other characters (such as ?,!,&,@, etc.) just click on the FAQ link in the settings. There, they have a nice reference chart. All the characters can be used on the keyboard. Great, simple app!