How to disable autocorrect in iPhone settings
You can turn off autocorrect on your iPhone by going into Settings, then Keyboard, and toggling off the "Auto-Correction" switch. This stops your phone from automatically changing words as you type. The setting applies to all apps on your phone that use the standard keyboard.
Open Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Keyboard. Look for the "Auto-Correction" option — it will have a toggle switch next to it, usually in the green "on" position. Tap the switch to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, meaning autocorrect is now disabled.
This change takes effect immediately. The next time you type in any app, you will notice that your phone no longer suggests corrections or changes your words automatically. If you change your mind later, you can turn it back on by following the same steps and toggling the switch back to green.
Key Takeaways
- Autocorrect is controlled in Settings > Keyboard, where you toggle off the "Auto-Correction" switch.
- Turning off autocorrect affects all apps on your iPhone that use the standard keyboard.
- You can turn autocorrect back on at any time by toggling the same switch back to the on position.
- If you want to keep autocorrect but stop it from changing specific words, you can add those words to your personal dictionary instead.
- Third-party keyboards installed on your iPhone may have their own autocorrect settings separate from the main iPhone setting.
Why your iPhone keeps changing your words
Autocorrect works by comparing what you type against a dictionary of common words and phrases. When it detects a word it thinks is misspelled or unusual, it automatically replaces it with what it believes is the correct version. This happens in the background as you type, without asking for your permission first.
The problem is that autocorrect sometimes changes words you actually meant to type — especially slang, names, technical terms, or words that are spelled correctly but uncommon. If you find yourself constantly fighting with autocorrect or deleting its changes, turning it off entirely may be the better choice than trying to correct it word by word.
Add words to your dictionary instead of disabling autocorrect
If you like autocorrect for most words but want to stop it from changing specific ones, you can add those words to your iPhone's personal dictionary. This teaches your phone that certain words are correct and should not be changed. You do this by rejecting the autocorrect suggestion when it appears.
When you type a word and autocorrect suggests a change, look at the suggestion box that appears above the keyboard. If you do not want the suggestion, tap the X button next to it. After you reject the same suggestion several times, your iPhone learns that you want to keep that word and stops trying to change it. You can also add words manually by going to Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacement and tapping the plus button to create custom shortcuts.
Turn off autocorrect for a single app
You cannot disable autocorrect for just one app while keeping it on in others — the setting controls autocorrect across your entire phone. However, some apps like Notes, Messages, and Mail have their own text editing options that may override the main setting.
If a particular app is the problem, check its own settings menu to see if it has keyboard or text options. Some third-party apps also let you disable autocorrect within the app itself. If the app does not have its own setting, your only option is to turn off autocorrect globally in Settings > Keyboard.
What happens when you turn off autocorrect
When autocorrect is off, your iPhone will no longer automatically change words as you type. You will see your words exactly as you enter them, even if they are misspelled. This means you have full control over what you write, but it also means you are responsible for catching your own typos.
You will still see the predictive text suggestions that appear above the keyboard — those are different from autocorrect. Predictive text shows you word options to tap, but does not force a change on you. You can ignore the suggestions and keep typing what you want. If you find that you miss having autocorrect after a few days, you can turn it back on using the same Settings > Keyboard path.
Autocorrect settings on older iPhone models
The steps to disable autocorrect are the same on all iPhone models running iOS 13 or newer. Older iPhones running earlier versions of iOS may have slightly different menu layouts, but the setting is always in the Keyboard section of Settings.
If you are using an iPhone 6s or older, the path is still Settings > Keyboard, and the "Auto-Correction" toggle is in the same location. If you cannot find it, try searching for "autocorrect" in the Settings search bar at the top of the screen — this works on any iPhone and takes you directly to the setting you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off autocorrect affect spell check?
No. Autocorrect and spell check are separate features. Spell check shows you a red underline under words your phone thinks are misspelled, but does not change them automatically. You can turn off autocorrect while keeping spell check on, or disable both if you prefer.
Will autocorrect turn back on if I update my iPhone?
No. Your autocorrect setting stays the same after a software update. If you turned it off, it will remain off. If you turned it on, it will remain on. The update does not reset your keyboard settings.
Can I turn off autocorrect just for texting?
No. The autocorrect setting in Settings > Keyboard applies to all apps, including Messages, Mail, Notes, and any other app that uses the standard iPhone keyboard. You cannot control it separately for each app.
What is the difference between autocorrect and predictive text?
Autocorrect automatically changes your words without asking. Predictive text shows you suggestions above the keyboard that you can tap to insert, but does not force any change. You can turn off autocorrect while keeping predictive text on.
If I add a word to my dictionary, will it stop autocorrect from changing it?
Yes. Once you reject an autocorrect suggestion multiple times or manually add a word to your dictionary, your iPhone learns that word and stops trying to change it. This is useful for names, slang, or technical terms that autocorrect keeps flagging.