Auto-correct changes your words without asking, and turning it off puts you back in control
Auto-correct is a feature that replaces words as you type, usually based on what the system thinks you meant. On most devices, it runs by default and sends samples of what you type to company servers so the system can learn your patterns. If you want to stop this behaviour, you can disable auto-correct entirely, use it selectively, or switch to a version that works only on your device without sending data elsewhere.
The steps differ by device type and operating system. On phones, auto-correct lives in your keyboard settings. On computers, it is usually in your text editor or system preferences. Some apps have their own auto-correct toggle that overrides the system setting, so you may need to turn it off in multiple places.
Key Takeaways
- Auto-correct on phones and computers typically sends typing samples to company servers, which you can stop by disabling the feature in your keyboard or text settings.
- On iPhones, auto-correct is in Settings > General > Keyboard; on Android, it is in your keyboard app's settings, usually under "Text Correction" or "Typing".
- On Windows, you can disable auto-correct in Word or turn off the system-wide feature in Settings > Time & Language > Typing; on Mac, it is in System Settings > Keyboard > Text.
- Some apps override your device settings, so check individual app preferences if auto-correct keeps running after you disable it system-wide.
- Turning off auto-correct means you type exactly what you intend, but you lose the speed benefit of word prediction and must catch your own typos.
How to disable auto-correct on iPhone
On iPhone, auto-correct is part of the system keyboard and lives in Settings. Open Settings, tap General, then tap Keyboard. Look for the toggle next to "Auto-Correction" and switch it off. The toggle will turn grey when it is disabled.
If you want to keep auto-correct for most typing but turn it off in specific apps, you cannot do that at the system level on iPhone — you have to disable it globally or leave it on. Some apps like Notes or Mail have their own text settings, but most use the system keyboard setting you just changed.
After you disable auto-correct, your iPhone will no longer send typing samples to Apple's servers for learning. You will see fewer word suggestions as you type, and the keyboard will not change your words automatically.
How to disable auto-correct on Android
Android auto-correct settings depend on which keyboard app you use. Most phones come with Google Keyboard (Gboard) or Samsung Keyboard. To find your keyboard settings, open any text field — like a message or email — and long-press the space bar or look for a settings icon on the keyboard itself.
If you use Gboard, tap the gear icon on the keyboard, then tap Languages and Input > Gboard > Text Correction. You will see toggles for "Auto-correction", "Block Offensive Words", and "Show Suggestion Strip". Turn off "Auto-correction" to stop the feature. If you use Samsung Keyboard, the path is similar: open the keyboard settings, find Text Correction, and toggle off Auto-Correction.
After you disable auto-correct, Google or Samsung will stop learning from your typing patterns on that device. You can still use manual word suggestions — the keyboard will show options above the space bar — but it will not change your words without your input.
How to disable auto-correct on Windows
Windows has auto-correct in two places: in Microsoft Word and in the system-wide text input settings. If you use Word, open any document, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. You will see tabs for AutoCorrect, AutoFormat As You Type, and Actions. Uncheck "Replace text as you type" to stop Word from changing your words.
To disable auto-correct system-wide on Windows 11, open Settings, go to Time & Language > Typing, and toggle off "AutoCorrect misspelled words" and "Highlight misspelled words". On Windows 10, the path is Settings > Devices > Typing, with the same toggles. These settings affect most text fields across your system, but Word and some other apps may still have their own auto-correct running.
Disabling auto-correct in both places ensures that Windows and Word will not change your text or send typing data to Microsoft for learning. You will still see spell-check underlines if you leave that feature on, but the system will not alter your words automatically.
How to disable auto-correct on Mac
On Mac, auto-correct is in System Settings under the Keyboard section. Open System Settings, click Keyboard, then click Text. You will see a list of text replacements and toggles for "Correct spelling automatically" and "Capitalize words automatically". Uncheck "Correct spelling automatically" to stop auto-correct.
If you use Apple Mail or other built-in apps, they use the system keyboard setting you just changed. However, some third-party apps like Microsoft Word have their own auto-correct settings. In Word on Mac, go to Word > Settings > Spelling, then uncheck "AutoCorrect" options.
After you disable auto-correct on Mac, your device will stop sending typing samples to Apple's servers. You can still use the Text Replacements feature if you want — that lets you create your own shortcuts, like typing "omw" to expand to "on my way" — but the system will not correct your spelling or capitalization without your permission.
What happens when you turn off auto-correct
When you disable auto-correct, you type exactly what you intend. The keyboard will no longer change words, add punctuation, or capitalize letters automatically. You will see fewer suggestions as you type, and the system will not learn from your typing patterns.
The trade-off is speed. Auto-correct is designed to let you type faster by predicting what you mean and fixing common mistakes. Without it, you have to catch your own typos and type more carefully. Some people find this slower; others prefer the control and accuracy.
If you want a middle ground, you can keep auto-correct on but turn off the "learning" part. On most devices, there is a separate setting for whether the system learns from your typing. Disabling learning stops the data collection without removing word suggestions entirely.
When auto-correct stays on even after you disable it
If auto-correct keeps running after you turn it off, the problem is usually that an individual app has its own auto-correct setting that overrides the system setting. Check the settings inside the app you are using — look for Keyboard, Text, Typing, or Spelling options.
On iPhone, some apps like iMessage or Notes may have their own text settings. On Android, messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram often have keyboard settings inside the app itself. On Windows and Mac, Word and other Microsoft apps are the most common culprits.
If you cannot find the setting in the app, try disabling auto-correct in your system keyboard settings first, then test the app again. If it still auto-corrects, the app is using its own feature and you will need to find that specific toggle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off auto-correct stop my device from sending typing data to the company?
Disabling auto-correct stops the system from sending typing samples used for learning your patterns. However, other features like spell-check, search suggestions, and cloud sync may still collect data. Check your device's privacy settings to see what else is being sent.
Can I turn off auto-correct for just one app?
Not at the system level on most devices. You have to disable it globally or find the setting inside the specific app. Some apps like Word or Gmail have their own text correction toggles that you can control independently.
Will I still see spelling suggestions if I turn off auto-correct?
That depends on your device. Turning off auto-correct usually keeps spell-check underlines visible, but removes the automatic replacement. You can often control these separately — auto-correct and spell-check are different features.
What is the difference between auto-correct and predictive text?
Auto-correct changes words you have already typed. Predictive text shows suggestions above the keyboard as you type, and you choose whether to tap them. You can usually disable auto-correct while keeping predictive text on.
If I turn off auto-correct, can I turn it back on later?
Yes. Go back to the same settings menu where you disabled it and toggle it back on. Your device will resume auto-correcting and learning from your typing when ready.