How to Find New Contacts on Your iPhone More Easily

Exchanging phone numbers with someone you just met is tricky. There are so many Bens and Katies and Ryans out there that sometimes including a first name is not enough to know who might be texting you a week later. But it feels a little formal to ask for a person’s last name.

That’s why I’ve taken to using the Nickname feature in my contacts. You can label that nebulous “Ben” in your phone more accurately as “SXSW taco cart dude.” The nickname is not only a helpful reminder of where you actually met the person, but it also works as a quick search term when scouring your contacts.

This is how you add a nickname when you’re creating a contact:

First, open your Phone app and tap the Contacts icon at the very bottom of the screen.

Next, enter whatever minimal information you’ve collected from the person you just met.

Scroll down to the bottom of the contact page and tap add field.

A list of options will pop up. Choose Nickname.

You’ll be redirected to the main contact page, which will now have a Nickname field. Take a moment to type in whatever shorthand note will help you remember who this person is. When you’re all finished, tap Done in the upper-right corner of the screen.

Now, when you’re searching for a contact, you don’t actually have to remember the person’s real name. See?

And you never have to have that awkward “New phone; who is this?” conversation again.

Follow Alyssa Bereznak on Twitter or email her here.