Where to find auto correct settings on iPhone
Auto Correct is turned on by default in iPhone's keyboard settings, and you can turn it off in about 30 seconds. Open Settings, tap Keyboard, then toggle off "Auto-Correction". The setting applies to all apps on your phone — Mail, Messages, Notes, web browsers, and anywhere else you type.
If you want to disable it only for specific keyboards (like if you use both the standard Apple keyboard and a third-party option), you can manage each one separately. Go to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboards, select the keyboard you want to adjust, and look for the Auto-Correction toggle within that keyboard's settings. Not all third-party keyboards offer this option — some have their own correction systems that work differently.
The setting takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your phone or close any apps. The next time you type, auto correct will not change your words.
Key Takeaways
- Auto Correct is disabled through Settings > Keyboard > Auto-Correction, and the change applies to all apps when ready.
- You can turn off auto correct for individual keyboards if you use multiple input methods, each with its own toggle.
- Disabling auto correct does not remove the dictionary or predictive text suggestions — only the automatic replacement of words.
- If you turn auto correct back on later, your custom dictionary and learned words remain saved.
The difference between auto correct and predictive text
Auto Correct and predictive text are two separate features, and disabling one does not affect the other. Auto Correct automatically changes words it thinks you misspelled — you type "teh" and it becomes "the" without you doing anything. Predictive text shows you suggested words above the keyboard as you type, and you tap one to insert it.
If you turn off auto correct but leave predictive text on, you will still see word suggestions appearing above your keyboard. You just have to tap them instead of having words replaced automatically. Many people disable auto correct but keep predictive text because the suggestions are useful without the surprise replacements.
To turn off predictive text as well, go to Settings > Keyboard and toggle off "Predictive". You can also disable both features but keep the standard dictionary, so your phone still recognizes words correctly even though it is not suggesting or correcting anything.
Why you might want auto correct off
Auto Correct causes problems in specific situations. If you type technical terms, slang, brand names, or words in other languages, auto correct often changes them to something you did not intend. Someone typing code snippets, product names, or casual language in Messages finds themselves constantly fighting the keyboard.
Auto Correct also interferes with typing in multiple languages. If you switch between English and another language, the phone may correct words in one language using rules from the other. Turning it off gives you full control over what you type, especially if you are comfortable catching your own typos.
Some people straightforward find the interruption annoying. If you are a careful typist or you type slowly and deliberately, auto correct may feel like it is working against you rather than helping.
How to add words to your dictionary so they do not get corrected
If you want to keep auto correct on but prevent it from changing specific words, you can add those words to your iPhone's dictionary. When auto correct tries to change a word and you tap the suggestion to reject it, your phone asks if you want to add it to your dictionary. Tap "Add to Dictionary" and that word will no longer be auto-corrected.
You can also add words manually. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, tap the plus sign, and enter the word or phrase you want to protect. This feature works differently — it stores shortcuts that expand into longer text, but it also prevents auto correct from changing those entries.
Your custom dictionary syncs across all your Apple devices if you have iCloud Keychain turned on. A word you add to your iPhone's dictionary will also be protected on your iPad and Mac.
Turning auto correct back on if you change your mind
If you disable auto correct and later decide you want it back, the process is identical to turning it off. Open Settings, tap Keyboard, and toggle Auto-Correction back on. Your custom dictionary and any words you added remain saved, so the phone will still recognize those entries the way you taught it to.
You can also turn auto correct on for some apps and off for others by using Focus modes or app-specific keyboard settings, though this requires more setup. For most people, the straightforward on-or-off toggle in the main Keyboard settings is sufficient.
What happens to your typing without auto correct
Without auto correct, your iPhone still shows you the standard dictionary and spell-check indicators. Words that are not in the dictionary appear with a red underline in some apps like Mail and Notes, but the phone does not change them automatically. You can tap the underlined word to see suggestions, or ignore it and keep typing.
Predictive text suggestions still appear above the keyboard if you have that feature on. You straightforward have to choose whether to accept them instead of having the phone make the choice for you. This gives you more control but requires more active decision-making as you type.
Autocomplete for common phrases and email addresses still works — that is a separate feature from auto correct. Your phone will still suggest your email address or common phrases you type frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off auto correct affect spell check?
No. Spell check (the red underline under misspelled words) is separate from auto correct. You can have spell check on and auto correct off, or turn both off. Spell check just marks words; it does not change them automatically.
Will my custom dictionary words still work if I turn auto correct off?
Yes. Words you added to your dictionary remain in the system. If you turn auto correct back on later, those words will be protected from correction. Turning auto correct off does not erase your dictionary.
Can I disable auto correct for just one app?
Not directly through iPhone settings. Auto correct is a system-wide keyboard setting. However, some apps like Notes or Mail have their own text editing options. Third-party keyboards may have individual auto correct toggles, but the standard Apple keyboard applies to all apps.
What if auto correct keeps changing a word I use all the time?
Add that word to your dictionary. When auto correct changes it and you reject the suggestion, tap "Add to Dictionary". After that, the phone will stop trying to correct it. You can also add it manually through Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
Does disabling auto correct make typing faster or slower?
That depends on how you type. If auto correct frequently changes words you intend to type, disabling it removes that interruption and makes typing faster. If you rely on auto correct to catch typos, turning it off means you have to proofread more carefully, which takes longer.