Autocorrect can be a helpful feature, automatically fixing typos as you type on your iPhone. But sometimes it can be more of a hindrance than a help, changing words you didn’t intend to change or inserting embarrassing mistakes. If you’re tired of fighting with autocorrect, you’ll be happy to know that turning it off is a simple process. This guide will walk you through how to turn off autocorrect on your iPhone, as well as customize other keyboard settings for a better typing experience.
What is Autocorrect and Why Turn it Off?
Autocorrect is a feature that automatically corrects misspelled words as you type. It’s designed to save time and reduce errors, but it doesn’t always get it right. Some common reasons people choose to turn off autocorrect include:
- Frequent miscorrections, especially with names or technical terms
- Interference when typing in multiple languages
- Desire for more control over typing
- Embarrassing autocorrect fails in messages or emails
If you’ve ever sent a message that didn’t say “delivered” due to autocorrect, you know how frustrating it can be. (For more on iMessage delivery issues, check out our guide on how to fix iMessage doesn’t say delivered.)
How to Turn Off Autocorrect on iPhone
Follow these simple steps to disable autocorrect:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone
- Scroll down and tap on “General“
- Tap on “Keyboard“
- Find “Auto-Correction” and toggle the switch to the off position
That’s it! Autocorrect is now disabled on your iPhone. You’ll no longer see automatic corrections as you type.
Customizing Other Keyboard Settings
While you’re in the Keyboard settings, you might want to adjust some other options for a more personalized typing experience:
Disabling Predictive Text
Predictive text suggests words as you type. To turn it off:
- In Keyboard settings, find “Predictive“
- Toggle the switch to the off position
Turning Off Auto-Capitalization
If you don’t want your iPhone to automatically capitalize words:
- In Keyboard settings, find “Auto-Capitalization“
- Toggle the switch to the off position
Adjusting Spell Check
You can keep spell check on even with autocorrect off:
- In Keyboard settings, find “Check Spelling“
- Ensure the switch is in the on position
This will underline misspelled words without automatically correcting them.
If you’re having trouble with your keyboard, it might not be just autocorrect. For a comprehensive troubleshooting guide, see our article on how to fix an iPhone keyboard that’s not working.
Tips for Better Typing Without Autocorrect
Using Text Replacement
Text replacement allows you to create custom shortcuts for frequently used phrases:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement
- Tap the plus sign to add a new shortcut
- Enter the phrase and shortcut
For example, you could set “omw” to expand to “on my way”.
Adjusting Keyboard Size
If you find the default keyboard too small, you can actually make it bigger. Learn how in our guide on how to make the keyboard bigger on iPhone.
Third-Party Keyboard Options
If you’re not satisfied with the default iPhone keyboard, consider trying a third-party option from the App Store. Popular choices include SwiftKey, Gboard, and Grammarly Keyboard.
Troubleshooting Autocorrect Issues
If you’re having persistent issues with autocorrect even after turning it off, try these solutions:
Resetting Keyboard Dictionary
- Go to Settings > General > Reset
- Tap “Reset Keyboard Dictionary“
- Confirm the reset
This will erase any learned words and reset your keyboard to default settings.
Updating iOS
Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- If an update is available, download and install it
Software updates can often fix bugs related to keyboard and autocorrect issues.
Pros and Cons of Disabling Autocorrect
Benefits of Turning it Off
- More control over your typing
- No more embarrassing autocorrect mistakes
- Better for typing in multiple languages or using technical terms
Potential Drawbacks
- You may make more typos
- Typing could be slower without word predictions
- You’ll need to be more vigilant about spelling
FAQs
- Will turning off autocorrect affect other apps? Yes, disabling autocorrect in Settings will turn it off system-wide, affecting all apps that use the iPhone keyboard.
- Can I turn autocorrect back on? Absolutely! Just follow the same steps and toggle the Auto-Correction switch back on.
- Does turning off autocorrect also disable spell check? No, spell check is a separate feature. You can keep spell check on even with autocorrect off.
- Will disabling autocorrect affect my other Apple devices? No, keyboard settings are device-specific. You’ll need to change the settings on each device individually.
- Can I disable autocorrect for specific apps only? Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t offer the option to turn off autocorrect for individual apps. It’s an all-or-nothing setting.
Conclusion
Turning off autocorrect on your iPhone can give you more control over your typing and prevent embarrassing mistakes. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily disable autocorrect and customize other keyboard settings to suit your preferences. Remember, you can always turn autocorrect back on if you find you miss it. The key is finding the right balance that works for your typing style and needs.
Lastly, if you’re having issues with other iPhone features, such as AirDrop not working, check out our troubleshooting guide on how to fix AirDrop not working. Happy typing!
