How to Fix and Manage AutoCorrect on Your iPhone

For millions of iPhone owners around the world, autocorrect can be an incredibly helpful tool while typing up a message, email or note. On the other hand, autocorrect can also be a huge annoyance. Apple’s often overzealous autocorrect can be a source of frustration. So what can you do about it? Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can fix these autocorrect nuances on your iPhone.

Also read: How to Remove Emoji Button From iPhone and iPad Keyboard

Teach iOS a Few New Words

Having to teach iOS new words might sound like a headache, but it will actually save you time and less headache in the long run. To actually teach iOS new words, you really have two separate paths forward. The first one is really out of your control, as iOS will simply learn your word preferences as you go. The more you use a corrected spelling of a word it wants to autocorrect, it will eventually stop making its autocorrect suggestion. This option can take some time, but it will happen.

On the other hand, there is a more direct way to help iOS learn something new. Open the “Settings” app on your phone and tap on “General.” Scroll down until you see the option for “Keyboard” and tap on it. Choose “Text Replacement” and the “+” button in the upper-right corner. If there is a word that the iPhone always autocorrects incorrectly, you can add that to the first line and the corrected spelling to the second line.

You can do this for any of the common autocorrected words that cause you grief. It’s an incredibly easy way to solve the problem without waiting for iOS to learn your preference.

Removing Words from the iOS Dictionary

Unfortunately, if you misspell a word often enough, iOS will learn that word. This can only lead to more complications. While there isn’t a complete way to remove words individually, you can take some steps to rid them from the iOS dictionary.

What that means is that you likely have to follow the same steps as laid out in teaching iOS some new words. For the most part, you need to keep correctly typing or selecting the right version so the software learns your preference.

If that does not work, and it may not, there is the “nuclear” option. In this scenario you will reset the keyboard dictionary in iOS. A word of caution before doing so, as this will not only delete the words you want to be rid of but also those you do not. This method will essentially set the phone up as brand new.

It’s the most extreme method, so only choose it as a last resort. If you are comfortable with starting from scratch, head to “Settings -> General -> Reset,” choose “Reset Keyboard Dictionary,” and then enter your password.

Also read: How to Turn Off Autocorrect on Your Mac

Turn Off Autocorrect Entirely

In the event you have just had it with autocorrect and no longer wish to use it, Apple makes it easy to disable. Of course, this means that you are responsible for any text errors you send in messages, email, notes, etc.

To go that route, head to “Settings -> General -> Keyboard,” then locate the “Auto-Correction” option under the “All Keyboards” header. When autocorrect is enabled, it should be labeled in green. To disable, click on the “Auto-Correction” button, and it will turn a light gray.

Should you prefer to completely disable any spelling help, make sure to also disable “Check Spelling” and “Predictive” underneath the “English” or language heading located below the “All Keyboards” section. If you ever want to turn on autocorrect again, just repeat the steps so the autocorrect button turns green. It’s very easy!

Autocorrect is not for everyone, so whether you love it or hate it, it’s good to know that there are steps to improve or even fix autocorrect issues on an iPhone. As a worst case scenario, you may want to switch to another keyboard in iOS.