How to Turn Off Autocorrect on Mac

This guide shows you how to disable autocorrect on your Mac, stopping the system from automatically replacing words as you type. You can turn it off globally for all apps or just for specific apps like Mail or Pages. No special tools are needed—just your Mac’s System Settings.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Ventura or later (for the steps below). If you have an older macOS, the steps are similar but the settings are in System Preferences.
• Administrator access (usually your normal user account is enough).

Step-by-Step

1. Open System Settings. You can do this by clicking the Apple menu (top-left corner) and selecting System Settings, or by searching for it with Spotlight (Cmd+Space).
2. In the sidebar, click Keyboard. It’s usually near the top, under the search bar.
3. Click the Text Input button on the right side. This opens a panel with text replacement and input settings.
4. Look for the Autocorrect toggle. It’s near the top of the Text Input panel. Click the toggle to turn it off (the switch will turn gray).
5. Close System Settings. The change applies immediately to all apps that use the system autocorrect feature.
6. If you want to re-enable it later, follow the same steps and toggle it back on.

Common Mistakes

• Turning off the wrong toggle: Some users mistakenly turn off “Correct spelling automatically” in a specific app’s Edit menu, thinking it’s the global setting. The global setting is in System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input.
• Not checking app-specific settings: Some apps (like Pages or Mail) have their own autocorrect settings that override the system one. Even if you turn off the global toggle, those apps may still autocorrect.
• Forgetting to restart the app: Sometimes an app that was already open doesn’t pick up the change immediately. Quit and reopen the app to see the effect.
• Confusing autocorrect with text replacement: Autocorrect is the automatic replacement of misspelled words. Text replacement (like replacing “brb” with “be right back”) is a separate feature. Turning off autocorrect does not disable text replacements.

Tips

• If you only want to disable autocorrect in a specific app, check that app’s preferences. For example, in Pages, go to Pages > Settings > Auto-Correction and uncheck “Correct spelling automatically.”
• If you often type in multiple languages, you can set up per-language autocorrect settings. In System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input, click the “Edit” button next to “Input Sources” and you can manage autocorrect for each language.
• You can also quickly undo a single autocorrect by pressing Cmd+Z right after it happens. This can be handy if you want to keep autocorrect on but occasionally revert.
• If you find autocorrect useful but it annoys you with certain words, you can add those words to your text replacements list. Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Text Replacements and add the word with no replacement, so it won’t be changed.

Troubleshooting

• Autocorrect is still happening after turning it off: Make sure you toggled the correct switch. Also, check if the app you’re using has its own autocorrect setting. For example, in Safari, autocorrect is controlled by the system, but in some third-party apps, it might be built-in.
• The toggle is grayed out: This can happen if you’re using a managed Mac (e.g., from a school or company) where the setting is locked. Contact your system administrator.
• Autocorrect still works in a specific app after turning it off globally: That app may have its own autocorrect feature. Look in the app’s Preferences or Settings for an autocorrect option and disable it there.
• After turning off autocorrect, the keyboard feels laggy: This is unlikely but if it happens, try restarting your Mac. If the problem persists, check if any third-party keyboard utilities are interfering.
• I can’t find the Text Input button: In older macOS versions (before Ventura), the path is System Preferences > Keyboard > Text. The option is called “Correct spelling automatically” with a checkbox. In macOS Ventura and later, it’s the toggle in Text Input.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off autocorrect affect my text replacements?

No. Text replacements (like “omw” to “on my way”) are a separate feature. Turning off autocorrect only stops the automatic correction of misspelled words.

How do I turn autocorrect back on?

Follow the same steps and toggle the switch back on. It takes effect immediately.

Does this disable autocorrect in all apps?

It disables it in apps that use the system-wide autocorrect. Some apps have their own built-in autocorrect that you may need to disable separately in that app’s settings.

Can I turn off autocorrect only for a specific language?

Yes, in System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input, you can click “Edit” next to Input Sources and manage autocorrect per language.

Why does autocorrect keep turning back on?

If you’re using a managed Mac (school/work), the setting might be enforced. Also, some apps may re-enable it. Check the app’s own settings.

What if I don’t have System Settings?

If you’re on an older macOS (Catalina or earlier), you’ll find the setting in System Preferences > Keyboard > Text. The option is “Correct spelling automatically” as a checkbox.

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