An electronic device and a control method enable easily inputted characters or numbers to be converted and used in an application. When characters are inputted via input keys and the inputted characters are determined to match at least part of prescribed characters stored in a memory, a control unit keeps the inputted characters displayed on a display unit while also displaying, on the display unit, prescribed numbers associated with the prescribed characters. Then, with the inputted characters and prescribed numbers displayed on the display unit, if an instruction is given to start up an application related to the inputted characters and prescribed numbers, the control unit starts up the application, inputting either the inputted characters or the prescribed numbers.