Autocorrect is usually on by default, and you can turn it off in your keyboard settings

Android devices come with autocorrect enabled in most keyboards, which means the system automatically changes words it thinks you misspelled as you type. If you find this frustrating — especially if you use slang, technical terms, or names that autocorrect doesn't recognize — you can disable it. The exact steps depend on which keyboard app you use, but the setting is almost always in your keyboard's own preferences, not in your phone's main settings.

The most common keyboard on Android is Google Keyboard (also called Gboard). Samsung phones often come with Samsung Keyboard. Some people use third-party keyboards like SwiftKey or Grammarly. Each one has its own settings menu, and you'll need to find the right app to change the autocorrect behavior.

Key Takeaways

  • Autocorrect lives in your keyboard app's settings, not in your phone's main settings menu.
  • Google Keyboard (Gboard) is the most common Android keyboard, and you disable autocorrect by opening the app, going to Settings, then Text Correction, and turning off "Auto-correction".
  • Samsung Keyboard users need to open the keyboard settings while typing, tap the gear icon, then find Text Prediction or Auto Correction and turn it off.
  • If you use a different keyboard app, the setting name and location will vary, but it's always in that app's own preferences.
  • You can also add words to your personal dictionary so autocorrect stops changing them, instead of disabling autocorrect entirely.

How to disable autocorrect in Google Keyboard (Gboard)

Google Keyboard is the default keyboard on most Android phones. To turn off autocorrect, first open the Gboard app directly from your app drawer — do not just open it from within another app. Tap the gear icon at the bottom to open Settings.

Once you're in Settings, look for "Text Correction" or "Correction" (the exact name varies by Android version). Tap it, then find the toggle for "Auto-correction" and turn it off. Some versions also show "Spell check" separately — you can leave that on if you want to see misspelled words underlined, or turn it off too. After you make your changes, close the app and start typing in any other app. Autocorrect should no longer change your words.

How to disable autocorrect in Samsung Keyboard

If you have a Samsung phone, you likely use Samsung Keyboard by default. The quickest way to access its settings is to open any app where you type — like Messages or Gmail — and tap in a text field to bring up the keyboard. Long-press the gear icon (or settings icon) at the bottom of the keyboard. This opens Samsung Keyboard's settings directly.

Look for "Text Prediction" or "Auto Correction" in the menu. Tap it and turn off the toggle. If you see separate options for "Predictive text" and "Auto correction," you can turn off just autocorrect and leave predictive text on if you prefer. Close the settings and test by typing in your message app. The keyboard should stop changing your words automatically.

How to disable autocorrect in other keyboard apps

If you use SwiftKey, Grammarly, or another third-party keyboard, the process is similar but the exact location of the setting varies. Open the keyboard app itself from your app drawer, not from within another app. Look for a Settings or Preferences option, usually represented by a gear icon.

Search for "Auto-correction," "Autocorrect," "Auto-correct," or "Text Correction" in the settings menu. The wording differs between apps. Once you find it, turn off the toggle. If you can't find the setting in the main menu, look for a submenu called "Typing," "Text," "Correction," or "Suggestions." After you've disabled it, close the app and test by typing a message.

Add words to your dictionary instead of disabling autocorrect entirely

If autocorrect is mostly helpful but keeps changing certain words you use often, you don't have to turn it off completely. Instead, you can add those words to your personal dictionary so autocorrect learns them and stops changing them.

In Gboard, open the app and go to Settings > Dictionary > Personal Dictionary. Tap the plus icon and type the word you want to add. In Samsung Keyboard, open Settings and look for "Personal Dictionary" or "My Words," then add the word there. For other keyboards, check their settings menu for a dictionary or word list option. Once a word is in your dictionary, autocorrect will recognize it and leave it alone.

How to turn autocorrect back on if you change your mind

If you disable autocorrect and later decide you want it back, the process is the same as turning it off. Open your keyboard app, go to Settings, find the autocorrect toggle, and turn it back on. You can also toggle it on and off as needed — there's no penalty for switching it back and forth.

Some people turn autocorrect off only for certain apps where they type technical content or code, and leave it on for messaging. Unfortunately, Android doesn't let you disable autocorrect per app — it's an all-or-nothing setting for your entire keyboard. If you need different autocorrect behavior in different places, your best option is to add problem words to your dictionary instead.

What to do if autocorrect is still changing your words

If you've turned off the autocorrect toggle but words are still being changed, you may have turned off the wrong setting. Some keyboards have both "Auto-correction" and "Predictive text" — predictive text suggests words as you type but doesn't automatically change them, so it won't cause the problem you're seeing. Make sure you've disabled "Auto-correction" specifically.

Another possibility is that you're using a different keyboard than you think. Check your phone's main Settings app under Language & Input or Keyboard Settings to see which keyboard is set as default. If you've installed multiple keyboards, Android might be using one you didn't intend. Once you confirm which keyboard is active, open that app and disable autocorrect there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable autocorrect for just one app?

No, autocorrect is a keyboard-wide setting on Android. When you turn it off, it stays off in every app you use. If you only want to disable it in certain apps, add the problem words to your personal dictionary instead, and autocorrect will leave them alone everywhere.

Will disabling autocorrect affect spell check?

No, they are separate features. Spell check underlines words it thinks are misspelled so you can see them. Autocorrect automatically changes those words without asking. You can have spell check on and autocorrect off, or turn both off, depending on your preference.

What if I don't see an autocorrect toggle in my keyboard settings?

Different keyboard apps use different names for the same feature. Look for toggles labeled "Auto-correction," "Autocorrect," "Auto correct," "Text Correction," or "Automatic Correction." If you still can't find it, check whether your keyboard has a "Typing" or "Text" submenu where the setting might be grouped.

Does disabling autocorrect slow down my phone?

No, turning off autocorrect has no effect on your phone's speed or performance. It only changes how your keyboard behaves when you type. You can disable it without worrying about battery life or processing power.

Can I disable autocorrect just for numbers and symbols?

Most Android keyboards don't offer that level of control. Autocorrect is typically an all-or-nothing setting. If certain symbols or number patterns are being changed, try adding them to your personal dictionary so autocorrect recognizes them as intentional.