Turn Off Autocorrect on iPhone, Android, and Computers

To turn off autocorrect, open your device’s keyboard or typing settings and switch off the option named “Auto-Correction,” “Auto-correct,” or “Automatic text correction.” The exact path depends on the device and keyboard app; turning autocorrect off usually stops automatic word replacements but leaves features such as spellcheck, suggestions, or swipe typing available to manage separately.

What autocorrect does

Autocorrect compares what you type with words in a dictionary and language model, then may replace a word when you add a space or punctuation mark. For example, it might change a mistyped “teh” to “the.” It can also misread names, technical terms, abbreviations, or deliberately unusual spelling, which is why many people want to disable it.

Autocorrect is not the same as predictive text. Predictive text offers possible next words or replacements, often above the keyboard, while autocorrect changes text automatically. Spellcheck may underline a possible error without changing it. These controls can be separate, though their names and grouping vary by operating system and keyboard.

Turn off autocorrect on iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General, then Keyboard.
3. Turn off Auto-Correction.

This setting applies to Apple’s onscreen keyboard. If you also want to stop suggested words, switch off Predictive in the same Keyboard settings. To stop automatic capitalization or automatic punctuation, check for the separate controls there; disabling autocorrect does not necessarily disable them.

If you use a third-party keyboard, its own app or keyboard settings may have additional correction controls. The iPhone’s system setting may not control every feature provided by another keyboard.

Turn off autocorrect on Android

Android menus vary by manufacturer, Android version, and keyboard app. A reliable starting point is to open Settings and search for “keyboard,” “on-screen keyboard,” or “text correction.” Open the settings for the keyboard you actually use, then look for an automatic correction option.

With Gboard, a common route is to open the keyboard in any text field, tap its settings icon, and choose Text correction. Turn off Auto-correction. You can also open Gboard settings from the device’s keyboard or language settings; labels and routes may differ slightly.

On Samsung devices using Samsung Keyboard, open the keyboard settings and look for Auto replace or a similarly named text-correction control. The precise wording depends on the software version. If your phone uses another keyboard, change that keyboard’s settings rather than assuming the Android-wide menus will affect it.

Turn off autocorrect on Windows and Mac

On Windows, open Settings and search for typing settings. In the typing options, switch off Autocorrect misspelled words if that control is available. Windows can also offer a separate option to highlight misspelled words, so you can keep visual spellchecking while stopping automatic replacements. The options available can depend on the Windows version and the text field or app.

On a Mac, open System Settings, choose Keyboard, and look for text input or text replacement settings. Turn off Correct spelling automatically if shown. In some apps, automatic correction can also be controlled from the app’s Edit menu under spelling or substitutions, so a change in one app may not affect every program.

Choose which typing features to keep

You do not have to disable every writing aid to prevent unwanted replacements. Try changing only the control responsible for the behavior you dislike:

• Automatic correction: stops the keyboard or system from replacing text on its own.
• Predictive text or suggestions: hides or reduces suggested words; it may remain active when autocorrect is off.
• Spellcheck: flags possible spelling errors, often with an underline, without necessarily changing them.
• Text replacement: expands a shortcut into a saved phrase. This is a separate feature and can cause unexpected changes even with autocorrect disabled.
• Personal dictionary: may teach the keyboard names or specialist words so it is less likely to “correct” them.

For example, if a keyboard keeps changing a surname, first try adding that name to its dictionary. If you prefer to review every suggested fix yourself, turn off automatic correction but leave spellcheck enabled.

Common problems and what to try

Words still change after autocorrect is off. Check whether the active keyboard has its own correction setting, whether another keyboard is selected, and whether the app has a separate spelling or substitution feature. Text replacement shortcuts are another common cause: review saved shortcuts in the keyboard or system text settings.

The setting is missing. Search Settings for “autocorrect” or “text correction,” then check the selected keyboard’s settings. On computers, look both in system typing settings and in the app where the change happens. Menu names can differ between versions.

Turning it off removes useful suggestions. Re-enable autocorrect and instead add frequently mistyped names or uncommon words to the keyboard’s personal dictionary, if supported. You can also disable predictive suggestions separately while keeping automatic correction, or vice versa.

A change does not seem to take effect. Confirm the switch is off, close and reopen the app, and test in a basic text field. If the behavior continues only in one app, its own settings may override or supplement the system setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off autocorrect turn off spellcheck?
Not always. Many devices provide separate controls for automatic replacement and spelling indicators. Check the keyboard or typing settings for both options.

Can I turn off autocorrect but keep predictive text?
Usually, yes. Look for separate switches named Auto-Correction and Predictive Text, Suggestions, or similar. Their availability and behavior depend on the keyboard.

Why does my phone still change words after I disabled autocorrect?
Another keyboard, an app-level correction feature, or a saved text-replacement shortcut may be responsible. Check the active keyboard and the settings of the app where the change occurs.

How do I stop autocorrect changing one specific word?
Add the word to the keyboard’s personal dictionary if that option is available. You can also accept the intended spelling when it is offered, though how the keyboard learns from that varies.

Will turning off autocorrect affect every app?
Often it affects many apps that use the same system keyboard, but not necessarily all of them. A particular app or third-party keyboard may have separate settings or correction behavior.

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