Today's smartphones have evolved into true multifunction tools that we carry in our pockets. They allow us to play, work, stay connected, and, of course, write all kinds of messages. However, not all features are equally appreciated by users. One of the most controversial and most frequently inquired about is the autocorrect feature built into Android keyboards. Therefore, more and more people are looking for ways to do this. disable Android's auto-correct to write with complete freedom.
Autocorrect is meant to help us by correcting spelling and typos on the fly. But, in practice, it can incorrectly change words, alter messages, and cause more than a few misunderstandings. That's why many people prefer to write without automatic assistance, especially those who use colloquial expressions, technical terms, proper names or mix several languages in their conversations.
In this article we compile All the options to disable or customize the autocorrect on Android, no matter which keyboard you use, and we explain step-by-step how to do it on Gboard, SwiftKey, Samsung keyboards, and other popular alternatives. We also include extra tips for customizing your experience, deleting suggestions, managing your personal dictionary, and addressing frequently asked questions.
Common reasons to disable autocorrect on Android
Automatic spell check can be a great ally, but also a source of frustration. Its advantages and disadvantages depend greatly on how, where, and how often you use it. Among the main reasons for wanting to remove autocorrect include:
- Errors when correcting words: The system replaces correct terms with undesirable ones, especially with names, brands, technical terms, and expressions specific to each user.
- Writing in multiple languages: If you frequently switch between different languages, the spell checker often gets confused, flagging words that are actually spelled correctly as errors.
- Slang, colloquial words or insults: The auto-correct does not recognize nicknames, idioms, bad words, or informal language.
- The hassle of adding words manually: If autocorrect constantly removes legitimate words, it forces you to add them to the dictionary one by one, which is tedious.
- Flow interruption when writing: Suggestions, automatic changes, and alerts can cause you to lose track of a quick conversation.
Autocorrect can play tricks on you And although the technology improves every year, it's still not perfect for all users. The positive thing is that You can disable it completely or partially on your mobile in just a few steps.
How to know which keyboard you use on Android
Before you start, it is important to know which keyboard app you have active by defaultAndroid allows you to easily install and switch between several virtual keyboards, each with its own autocorrect options. To find out:
- Opens Settings from your mobile or tablet.
- Accede to System (or “General Management” on some devices).
- Press on Languages and text input or a similar option.
- Choose Virtual keyboard to see the list of installed keyboards. The one that appears as default is the one that is used.
The most common keyboards on Android are:
- Gboard (Google keyboard, usually comes standard)
- Microsoft SwiftKey
- Samsung keyboard (on Samsung devices)
- Other options: Chrooma Keyboard, Fleksy, among others.
Once you've identified your keyboard, you can customize autocorrect or disable it by following the steps below.
How to disable auto-correct in Gboard (Google Keyboard)
Gboard It is the most widely used virtual keyboard app on Android devices and preferred by many thanks to its integration with Google, smart features, and frequent updates. If you want remove autocorrect on Gboard, follow these steps:
- Opens Settings on your Android device.
- Go to System and then to Languages and text input (in some cases, you need to search for “General Administration” or you can use the settings search engine by typing “keyboard”).
- Press on Virtual keyboard and select Gboard in the list of available keyboards.
- Access the section Text correction o Spelling correction.
- Disable the “AutoCorrect” option by sliding the switch to the off position.
Optionally, you can adjust other parameters:
- Disable correction suggestions, personalized suggestions o suggest next word if you prefer an even more manual experience.
- From the keyboard itself: open any app that activates the keyboard, press and hold the comma (,) or access the icon gear and navigate directly to Gboard settings.
The change is applied immediately to all apps, and Gboard will stop automatically editing what you typeSuggestions will still be offered in the top bar, but they will only be applied if you manually select them.
How to disable autocorrect in SwiftKey
Keyboard SwiftKey, currently owned by Microsoft, is another very popular alternative and is present as the default option in some brands, such as Huawei and older Motorola or Xiaomi models. Its prediction and auto-correction system is powerful, but it can also be invasive. Disable autocorrect in SwiftKey, Do the following:
- Opens Settings on your Android mobile or tablet.
- Go to System > Languages and text input > Virtual keyboard. Then select SwiftKey.
- Within the app settings, go to Writing Instruments o Writing Settings.
- Look for the option Auto correction o Typing and autocorrect y turn it off.
You can also adjust other preferences, such as capitalization correction, suggestions, or next word prediction, if you want to further control your typing experience.
How to remove autocorrect on Samsung phones and tablets
Samsung devices use their own keyboard, although they usually allow you to install and use Gboard or SwiftKey. If you use the Samsung keyboard, the steps to disable autocorrect are similar, although the menu names may vary slightly depending on the model or operating system version:
- Open the app Settings.
- Accede to General Administration > Language and input or search directly for “keyboard” in the settings search engine.
- Press on On-screen keyboard o Samsung keyboard.
- Sign in Keyboard configuration.
- Disable the option Predictive text o Auto correctionOn some models, both features appear together; if you see "predictive text," turn it off to remove autocorrect.
Disable autocorrect on other Android keyboards
Android allows you to install many alternative keyboardsThe way to disable the autocorrect is usually similar:
- Accede to Settings > System > Languages and text input > Virtual keyboard.
- Select the keyboard you use (Chrooma, Fleksy, etc.).
- Look in your settings menu for the section spell check o autocorrect y turn it off.
If you're having trouble finding the option, use the search bar in Settings and type "autocorrect" or "keyboard" to take you directly to the appropriate menu.
Customize autocorrect: turn off suggestions and other options
If you don't want to completely remove the autocorrect, but are looking for adjust it to your size, you may:
- Disable only automatic autocorrect and keep the suggestions in the top bar of the keyboard.
- Turn off predictive text to prevent the keyboard from guessing or completing words before you finish typing them.
- Limit or customize suggestions to avoid distractions, such as turning off “suggest contacts” or “suggest next word.”
Each keyboard offers a different level of customization. Gboard and SwiftKey allow for granularity, from removing autocorrect to filtering only contextual or personalized suggestions.
How to customize and manage the keyboard dictionary on Android
A very useful feature for those who write proper names, technical terms or unrecognized words is add terms to your personal dictionary. This way, the spell checker will stop flagging them as errors and won't automatically change them.
- Go to Settings > System > Languages and text input > Virtual keyboard > Gboard or the keyboard you use.
- Sign in Dictionary > Personal dictionary.
- Select the language and add the words you don't want to be autocorrected.
You can also add words from the keyboard itself, when you type one that is underlined: the “Add to dictionary” option usually appears when you click on it.
Turn off autocorrect temporarily or only in certain apps
Sometimes you may want to Keep autocorrect generally on but turn it off temporarily (for example, when writing casual messages or working with code). While Android doesn't offer a direct option to limit the spell check to specific apps, some keyboards allow you to turn the feature on or off on the fly from the interface itself. In Gboard, for example, you can quickly access settings from the “,” key or the gear icon and adjust autocorrect as needed.
How is autocorrect different from predictive text?
It is common to confuse both concepts, but they are not the same:
- Self-correction: Automatically corrects words considered to be misspelled when typing, replacing them without user intervention.
- Predictive text: Suggests words or entire phrases based on what you're typing to speed up your writing, but they're only inserted if you select them.
Both features can be enabled or disabled independently on most Android keyboards.
Frequently asked questions and common solutions
- Is deactivation of the corrector reversible? Yes, you can reactivate it at any time by following the same procedure.
- Is your personal dictionary lost? No, manually added words remain even if you temporarily turn off autocorrect.
- Does it affect all apps? Yes, the setting is global, although you can switch keyboards or quickly modify the settings from the virtual keyboard itself.
- Is it the same on all phones? The procedure is very similar, although the exact names of the menus may vary depending on the brand or version of Android. Use the settings search bar if you have any questions.
- What alternative keyboards are there? In addition to Gboard and SwiftKey, there are other alternatives such as Chrooma Keyboard (with advanced customization options and autocorrect management), Fleksy, or Gboard Go (light version).
Managing the autocorrect on Android is very simple.Whether you want to remove it completely, limit only certain suggestions, or adapt it to your writing style, you have all the tools to configure your phone according to your preferences. This way, you can avoid embarrassing mistakes, gain speed, and not sacrifice the freedom to express yourself in any app.