Where to find auto correct settings on each device
Auto correct is the feature that changes words as you type — it catches real misspellings but also changes words you meant to type. You can turn it off entirely, or dial it back to catch only obvious errors. Where you find the setting depends on what device you're using.
On an iPhone, auto correct lives in Settings > General > Keyboard. Toggle off "Auto-Correction" and you're done. On Android, the path varies by phone maker, but usually it's Settings > System > Languages and Input > Virtual Keyboard (or Gboard, SwiftKey, or whatever keyboard app you use) > Text Correction. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Spelling, then choose "Correct spelling automatically" or turn it off. On Windows, Settings > Time & Language > Typing > Autocorrect misspelled words.
Key Takeaways
- Auto correct settings are in your keyboard or language settings, not in individual apps, so turning it off works everywhere at once.
- You can turn auto correct completely off, or keep it on but disable just the parts that bother you — like capitalization or space-based corrections.
- If you turn auto correct off but want to keep spell-check (the red underline), those are separate toggles on most devices.
- Custom dictionaries let you add words auto correct keeps changing, so you don't have to turn the whole feature off.
Turning off just the parts that annoy you
You don't have to choose between "all auto correct" and "none." Most devices let you disable specific behaviors. On iPhone, you can keep auto correct on but turn off "Predictive" (the word suggestions that pop up), or keep both but turn off "Capitalize" so it stops making the first letter of every sentence uppercase.
On Android with Gboard, open Gboard Settings > Text Correction and you'll see toggles for "Auto-correction," "Block offensive words," "Show suggestion strip," and others. Turn off only what bothers you. On Mac, the Spelling menu also lets you choose between "Correct spelling automatically" and "Check spelling while typing" — the second one just underlines mistakes without changing them.
Adding words to your custom dictionary
If auto correct keeps changing a specific word — your name, a technical term, slang you use regularly — you can teach your device to stop. On iPhone, when auto correct tries to change a word, tap the suggestion that appears and choose "Add to Dictionary" or just reject it several times until the phone learns. On Android with Gboard, long-press a word and select "Add to dictionary."
On Mac, right-click a word and choose "Learn Spelling." On Windows, right-click and select "Add to Dictionary." Once a word is in your custom dictionary, auto correct will stop fighting you over it. This is faster than turning off auto correct entirely if only a few words are the problem.
Auto correct in email and messaging apps
Some apps like Gmail, Outlook, and iMessage have their own auto correct settings separate from your device's keyboard settings. In Gmail on the web, go to Settings > General and scroll to "Smart Compose" and "Smart Reply" — you can turn these off without touching your phone's auto correct. In Outlook, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
On iPhone, iMessage uses your device's auto correct, so turning it off in Settings affects iMessage too. But if you want auto correct off only in one app, some apps let you disable it in their own settings. Check the app's preferences or settings menu before assuming you have to change your whole device.
The difference between auto correct and spell check
Auto correct changes words as you type without asking. Spell check underlines mistakes in red and suggests fixes, but leaves the choice to you. Many people want spell check on but auto correct off — you get warnings about real typos without the surprise corrections.
These are separate settings on most devices. On iPhone, spell check is part of the keyboard settings but separate from auto correct. On Android, they're usually in the same menu but have different toggles. On Mac and Windows, you can turn off auto correct but keep spell check running. Check your device's keyboard or language settings to see both options.
When auto correct is actually useful
Auto correct catches real typos fast — if you type "teh" it fixes it to "the" without you having to backspace. It's especially helpful on phone keyboards where your thumbs are bigger than the keys. If you turn it off completely, you'll catch more of your own mistakes, but you'll also have to fix more of them yourself.
A middle ground is to keep auto correct on but add words to your custom dictionary as it bothers you. Over time, your device learns what you actually type and stops fighting you. You get the speed benefit of auto correct for real typos without the frustration of it changing words you meant to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off auto correct affect spell check?
No. Auto correct and spell check are separate features. You can turn off auto correct but keep spell check on, so you still see red underlines for misspelled words but the phone won't change them without asking.
If I turn off auto correct, do I have to do it on every app?
No. Auto correct is a keyboard setting, not an app setting, so turning it off in your device's keyboard settings affects all apps at once. Some apps have their own text correction features on top of that, but the main auto correct is device-wide.
Can I turn auto correct off just for texting but keep it on for email?
Not easily. Auto correct is a device-wide setting. Some email apps like Gmail have their own auto correct features you can turn off separately, but your phone's main auto correct will still run in text messages. You'd have to turn it off entirely or manage it app by app.
What if I accidentally turn off auto correct and want it back on?
Go back to the same settings menu where you turned it off and toggle it back on. On iPhone, that's Settings > General > Keyboard > Auto-Correction. On Android, it's Settings > Languages and Input > your keyboard app > Text Correction. The setting is always reversible.
Does turning off auto correct make my typing slower?
It can, because you'll catch and fix more of your own typos. But many people find they type more accurately when they're not fighting auto correct, so the net effect varies. Try it for a few days and see if it feels faster or slower to you.