I'll never forget that text message I sent to my boss last year. Instead of "I'll review the report tonight," autocorrect decided "I'll revolt the report tonight" was what I meant. Awkward doesn't even begin to cover it. Since then, I've made it my mission to help others escape autocorrect chaos. Whether you're tired of ducking instead of... well, you know, or you're just fed up with your phone thinking it's smarter than you, you've come to the right place.
Why Autocorrect Drives Us Crazy
Before we dive into how to shut off autocorrect, let's talk about why so many people want to. Autocorrect was supposed to be helpful – and sometimes it is – but when it goes wrong, it goes spectacularly wrong. I've seen autocorrect turn dinner plans into marriage proposals and business emails into comedy routines. And it's not just embarrassing, it can actually cause real problems if important communications get garbled.
The worst part? Autocorrect learns your mistakes. If you accidentally accept a wrong correction once, it starts insisting that's what you wanted to type. Before long, you're fighting your keyboard more than actually communicating. That's why learning how do you shut off autocorrect completely can feel like liberation.
Heads up: Turning off autocorrect means you'll need to watch your own spelling. I made this mistake once during an important email – turned autocorrect off and sent a message with "recieve" in the subject line. Still cringe thinking about it.
How Do You Shut Off Autocorrect on iPhone and iPad?
Apple's autocorrect is notoriously persistent. Some iOS updates seem to make it more aggressive – I swear mine got worse after updating to iOS 16. Here's the step-by-step process that actually works:
Complete Autocorrect Disable
- Open Settings on your device
- Scroll down and tap General
- Select Keyboard
- Toggle off Auto-Correction (it'll go from green to gray)
But wait, there's more! Apple has several related features you might want to disable too:
| Feature | What It Does | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Predictive | Shows word suggestions above keyboard | Settings > General > Keyboard |
| Check Spelling | Underlines misspelled words in red | Settings > General > Keyboard |
| Auto-Capitalization | Capitalizes words after periods | Settings > General > Keyboard |
| "." Shortcut | Double space creates period | Settings > General > Keyboard |
I recommend turning off all these if you want true typing freedom. The first time I disabled autocorrect but left predictive text on, I kept accidentally tapping wrong suggestions. That was almost as bad as autocorrect itself!
Third-Party Keyboard Option
Another approach is installing a different keyboard like Gboard or SwiftKey. These give you more control than Apple's default keyboard. In Gboard:
- Open the Gboard app
- Go to Text Correction
- Toggle off Auto-correction
- Disable Block offensive words (unless you want it)
I use Gboard on my iPad and it's a solid solution. Though honestly, sometimes I miss Apple's emoji predictions.
How to Turn Off Autocorrect on Android Devices
Android's setup varies more between manufacturers, which can make shutting off autocorrect confusing. Samsung phones bury the setting differently than Google Pixels. Here's the general approach that works on most devices:
Standard Android Keyboard (Gboard)
- Open any app that uses the keyboard
- Tap the Gear icon on the keyboard toolbar
- Select Text Correction
- Toggle off Auto-correction
- While here, disable Auto-capitalization and Suggestions if desired
Samsung Keyboard Method
Samsung users need a different route:
- Open Settings
- Go to General Management
- Tap Keyboard List and Default
- Choose Samsung Keyboard
- Select Smart Typing
- Toggle off Auto Replace (that's autocorrect)
When I helped my friend disable autocorrect on her Galaxy S22, we spent 15 minutes searching before finding that "Auto Replace" option. Samsung really hides it!
| Brand | Setting Name for Autocorrect | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Auto-correction | Gboard settings > Text Correction |
| Samsung | Auto Replace | Keyboard settings > Smart Typing |
| OnePlus | Auto correction | Keyboard settings > Input Assistance |
| LG | Auto Correction | Keyboard settings > Auto Correction |
Disabling Autocorrect on Computers
Autocorrect isn't just a mobile problem. Microsoft Word's autocorrect has been changing "teh" to "the" since before smartphones existed. Here's how to shut off autocorrect on major operating systems:
How Do You Shut Off Autocorrect in Windows 10/11
Windows has both system-level and app-specific settings:
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings
- Go to Devices > Typing
- Toggle off Autocorrect misspelled words
- Also disable Highlight misspelled words if desired
Microsoft Word Specific Fix
Even with system settings off, Word does its own thing:
- Open Word > File > Options
- Choose Proofing
- Click AutoCorrect Options
- Uncheck all boxes under AutoCorrect tab
- Repeat for AutoFormat As You Type tab
I remember working on a legal document where Word kept "correcting" specialized terms. Took me hours to find all the hidden autocorrect settings.
Turning Off Autocorrect on Mac
- Open System Preferences
- Go to Keyboard
- Select the Text tab
- Uncheck Correct spelling automatically
For individual apps like Pages:
- Open Pages > Preferences
- Choose Auto-Correction
- Uncheck Symbol and text substitution
How Do You Shut Off Autocorrect for Specific Apps Only?
Sometimes you only want to disable autocorrect in certain situations. I leave it on for messaging apps but turn it off for work documents. Here's how to manage app-specific settings:
Mobile App-Specific Settings
Some apps have built-in autocorrect controls:
- Google Docs: Tools > Preferences > Uncheck "Automatically correct spelling"
- WhatsApp: Unfortunately no per-app setting - uses system keyboard
- Facebook Messenger: App settings > Chats > Toggle off "Auto-correct"
The Keyboard Switching Trick
My favorite workaround:
- Install two different keyboards (e.g., Gboard and SwiftKey)
- Configure one with autocorrect on, one with it off
- Switch keyboards when switching apps
It sounds complicated, but I've set this up on both Android and iOS. Takes about 10 minutes initially but saves constant frustration.
What If You Don't Want to Fully Disable Autocorrect?
Sometimes you just want to tone it down rather than completely shut off autocorrect. These tweaks might strike the right balance:
| Problem | Partial Solution | How To Access |
|---|---|---|
| Autocorrect changing specific words | Add exceptions to dictionary | Keyboard settings > Dictionary |
| Aggressive capitalization | Disable auto-capitalization only | Keyboard settings > Preferences |
| Annoying period insertion | Turn off double-space shortcut | Keyboard settings > Typing |
| Wrong corrections accepted | Reset keyboard dictionary | System settings > Keyboard |
After my embarrassing boss incident, I tried this middle ground approach. Kept autocorrect on but added all my industry terms to the dictionary. Worked pretty well until autocorrect decided "quarterly" should always be "quarrelly." Some battles you just can't win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turning Off Autocorrect
Will turning off autocorrect affect my spell check?
It depends. On most devices, autocorrect and spell check are separate settings. When you shut off autocorrect, you'll typically still see red underlines for misspelled words unless you also disable spell check. I actually prefer this setup - it catches errors without changing my words.
How do I temporarily disable autocorrect?
There's no official "pause" button, but here's a trick: Go to keyboard settings and toggle autocorrect off when you don't need it, then back on later. On iPhone, you can also enable the Emoji keyboard - autocorrect doesn't work when that keyboard is active. Not ideal, but works in a pinch.
Why can't I find the setting to shut off autocorrect on my device?
Manufacturers love renaming things. Try searching settings for: "auto replace," "text correction," "predictive text," or "keyboard assistance." Samsung hides it particularly well under "Smart Typing." If all else fails, just search your settings app for "keyboard" and explore every option.
Does disabling autocorrect save battery life?
Marginally, yes. Since autocorrect constantly analyzes your typing, turning it off reduces background processing. I didn't notice huge battery improvements on my iPhone, but every little bit helps.
Can I turn autocorrect back on easily?
Absolutely! Just retrace the same steps and toggle the settings back on. All your previous preferences should remain intact. I've flipped back and forth several times during autocorrect experiments.
Life After Autocorrect: What to Expect
When I first shut off autocorrect completely, it felt like learning to type all over again. Those first few days? Brutal. I'd estimate my typo rate increased about 40%. But after two weeks, something interesting happened - I started proofreading properly. Without autocorrect as a safety net, I became more careful.
The pros:
- No more embarrassing automatic substitutions
- Slang and niche terms stay intact
- Faster typing without constant corrections
- More intentional communication
The cons:
- More typos initially
- No automatic apostrophes in contractions
- Requires actually learning spelling
- Capitalization becomes manual
Honestly? Six months in, I wouldn't go back. The peace of mind knowing my words stay my words is worth the occasional typo. Though I'll admit, I still miss automatic apostrophes.
Pro Tip: Keep autocorrect off but enable spell check with red underlines. This gives you the safety net without the automatic changes. It's the sweet spot I eventually landed on after experimenting with how do you shut off autocorrect completely.
Troubleshooting: When Turning Off Autocorrect Doesn't Work
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, autocorrect keeps coming back. Based on reader reports and my own experience:
- After updates: iOS updates particularly love resetting keyboard preferences. Check settings after every update.
- App interference: Some apps (looking at you, Facebook) override system settings. Check in-app preferences.
- Keyboard switching: If you use multiple keyboards, each has its own settings. Disable autocorrect for each one.
- Language issues: Settings might be applied only to your primary language. Check all active keyboards.
A reader once emailed me saying autocorrect kept reactivating on his Samsung. Turned out he had two different keyboard settings enabled simultaneously. Took us three days to figure that one out!
Autocorrect Alternatives Worth Considering
If you're not ready to go cold turkey but hate default autocorrect, try these:
| Tool | Best For | Autocorrect Control |
|---|---|---|
| Grammarly Keyboard | Formal writing | Detailed customization options per app |
| SwiftKey | Predictive typing | Adjustable autocorrect strength slider |
| Gboard | Google users | Can disable autocorrect while keeping predictions |
| WordWeb Keyboard | Writers/editors | Advanced dictionary controls |
I've tested them all extensively. For most people, Gboard offers the best balance. But writers might prefer Grammarly despite its occasional overeagerness.
Learning how do you shut off autocorrect isn't about rejecting technology - it's about taking control of your communication. Whether you disable it completely or just tame its worst impulses, you deserve to type what you actually mean. Just remember to double-check before hitting send!
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