How to Turn On/Off Auto-Correct on the iPhone/iPad

Auto-Correction can be a helpful feature, but you may not want it on all the time. For all the good it can do and time it saves, auto-correction errors can be embarrassing, frustrating, or unintentionally funny. Here's how to turn the feature off if you'd rather trust your typing skills on your iPad or iPhone.

Toggle auto-correction on or off in the Settings app.

The Check Spelling option looks for unfamiliar words and spellings, but it puts you in control of whether the iPad changes them. As you type, iOS marks any words it suspects with a red, dotted underline.

When a word is marked this way, tap it. A menu appears above with three options. Either tap the correct one or retype the word until it's correct.

Predictive typing suggests words as you type. When typing a long word, keep an eye on the predictions across the top of the keyboard. To use one of the suggestions, tap to complete the word.

To access the virtual trackpad on the iPad, hold two fingers on the keyboard. This gesture turns the keys blank, then you can move the cursor with your fingers.

Numbers and special characters show above the letters on the keyboard on an iPad. To activate these alternate numbers and characters, tap the key and slide your fingers slightly down.

Voice Dictation bypasses typing completely but still keeps the Auto-Correction and spellcheck options available. Tap the microphone key next to the space key and speak to write a message. To insert a comma or period while you dictate, say comma or period.