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How to Use Autocorrect on Android

Avoid embarrassing errors and personalize your Android dictionary

By Molly McLaughlin Molly McLaughlin Senior Editor & Content Strategist Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 27, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section Manage Autocorrect on Android Add Words and Abbreviations to Your Personal Dictionary Enable and Disable the Spell Checker Autocorrect Options on Samsung Phones This article explains how to use the autocorrect function on your Android device and personalize your Android dictionary so you can avoid embarrassing errors. Instructions apply to devices with Android Pie (9), Oreo (8), or Nougat (7) from all manufacturers. Samsung Galaxy phones have different autocorrect settings, as noted below.

Manage Autocorrect on Android

On newer Android smartphones (except for Samsung models), autocorrect is enabled and disabled on an app-by-app basis. Here's where to find these settings. Go to Settings > System. On Android 7.1 and earlier, select Languages & input instead of System. Tap Languages & input. Tap Virtual keyboard. This refers to the keyboard that displays on the screen, not a connected external or Bluetooth device. A page that lists all the virtual keyboard apps installed on your device appears. Select the keyboard that you're currently using. In the settings for your keyboard, tap Text correction. Turn on the Auto-correction toggle switch to enable the autocorrect feature. Turn it off to disable autocorrect.

Add Words and Abbreviations to Your Personal Dictionary

You can also update your dictionary directly in Android apps. These options are in the settings for your virtual keyboard. Open Settings > System. On Android 7.1 and earlier, select Languages & input. Tap Languages & input. Tap Virtual keyboard to access the settings for your on-screen keyboards. In the list of keyboards on your system, select your active keyboard. Tap Text correction to access the settings for auto-correction, including the dictionary for the phone. Tap Personal Dictionary. Select Delete learned words to reset your dictionary on certain keyboards. On some keyboards, including the default Android Open Source Project keyboard, you'll see a list of available languages. Select your language. Tap the plus sign to add a new word to the dictionary. Spell check doesn't auto-correct or flag the words you added to your phone's dictionary.

Enable and Disable the Android Spell Checker

The Gboard Spell Checker helps you avoid typos and offers word suggestions as you type. It's enabled by default, but you can turn it off. To turn Spell Checker on or off on Gboard: Go to Settings. Tap System > Languages & input > Advanced. Under Languages & input, you'll see the name of the default keyboard (in this case, Gboard). Tap Spell checker. Turn the Use spell checker toggle switch on or off. Tap Languages to change the default language. Optionally, tap the Default spell checker gear icon, then turn on the Look up contact names toggle switch. The spell checker cross-checks first and last names with your contact list.

Autocorrect Options on Samsung Phones

Samsung Galaxy phones have different autocorrect settings than smartphones with stock Android. These settings are under Smart typing. Go to Settings > General management. Tap Samsung Keyboard settings. Tap Auto spell check and toggle your language to the On position. Back in the Samsung Keyboard settings, choose which options to enable under Smart typing. The Text shortcuts option also serves as your personal dictionary. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make a Divide Sign on a Keyboard How to Turn Off Autocorrect on Samsung How to Make a Bullet Point on a Keyboard How to Clear Keyboard History on iPhone How to Change the Keyboard on Android How to Set Up Speech to Text on Android How to Get iPhone Emojis for Your Android How to Use the Emoji Keyboard for Galaxy Phones How to Fix It When Outlook Spell Check Is Not Working How to Check Spelling in Outlook How to Use the Clipboard on Android Phones How to Set Up a New Android Phone How to Use Google's Text-to-Speech Feature on Android How to Change Your iPad Keyboard Settings How to Use Lockdown Mode on Any Android Phone How to Get an Em Dash in Google Docs Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies