5 Ways to Turn Off Autocorrect in WhatsApp

If autocorrect is mangling your WhatsApp messages, you can disable it on your devices

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: February 28, 2023 Tested

Using iPhone or iPad

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Using Stock Android

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Using a Samsung Galaxy

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Using Windows

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Using Mac

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Video

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Tips

Do you want to turn off automatic spell check in WhatsApp? While WhatsApp doesn't allow you to disable auto-correct specifically for its messaging, you can disable autocorrect in your system settings. However, this will disable the feature for any other typing or messaging apps, so you'll need to reactivate it to use it elsewhere. This wikiHow will show you how to turn off predictive text and autocorrect on your iPhone, Android, Mac, or Windows computer.

Things You Should Know

WhatsApp autocorrect is dependent on your device. You must disable your device's auto-correct feature.
On iPhone, go to "Settings", then "General". Tap "Keyboard" and toggle off "Auto-Correction".
On Android, go to "Settings", then "System". Tap "Languages & Input", then "Virtual keyboard". Toggle off "Text correction".

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using iPhone or iPad

1
Open the Settings
app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a set of gears on a grey background.
- WhatsApp is available for iOS in the App Store, but you must configure your device settings to disable autocorrect.
2
Scroll down and tap General. This can be found below Screen Time.

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3
Scroll down and tap Keyboard. This can be found between Date & Time and Fonts.
4
Tap the green "Auto-Correction" switch
. This will toggle it off. You can now send messages without your iPhone or iPad correcting typing errors.
- You may also want to tap the green Auto-Capitalization switch to disable automatic capitalization or Check Spelling to remove red underlines.
- To turn auto-correct back on, toggle the switch "On".

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Stock Android

1
Open your Android's
Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen to pull down the notifications menu, then tap the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the menu.
- On some Androids, you may have to swipe down with two fingers to get the notifications menu to appear.
- WhatsApp is available for Android in the Google Play Store, but you must configure your device settings to disable autocorrect.
2
Scroll down and tap System. This option is near the bottom of the page.
- If you see a Languages & input or Language & keyboard option in the Settings page, tap it, then skip the next step.
3
Tap Languages & input. It's near the top of the System menu.
4
Tap Virtual keyboard. This option is near the top of the page. Doing so opens a list of your installed keyboards.
5
Select your keyboard. Tap the name of your default keyboard (e.g., Google).
6
Tap Text correction. It's near the top of the menu.^{[1]
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7
Tap the teal "Auto-correction" switch
. This will toggle it off. You can now use WhatsApp without autocorrect.
- You may also want to disable the Show correction suggestions feature in this way.
- Depending on your Android's screen size, you might have to scroll down to see the "Auto-correction" switch.
- To turn auto-correct back on, toggle the switch "On".

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using a Samsung Galaxy

1
Open your Samsung Galaxy's Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap the Settings icon
in the top-right corner of the menu that appears.
2
Scroll down and tap General management. It's near the bottom of the Settings menu.
3
Tap Language and input. This option is at the top of the General Management page.
4
Tap On-screen keyboard. You'll find it in the "KEYBOARDS" section of the page.
5
Select your keyboard. Tap your Samsung Galaxy's current keyboard (e.g., Samsung Keyboard).
6
Tap the blue "Predictive text" switch. It's to the right of the "Predictive text" heading near the top of the screen. This will toggle it off. Your Samsung Galaxy will no longer correct typing errors made on WhatsApp and any other app you enter text.
- You may also want to disable the Auto spell check and Auto capitalize this way.
- To turn auto-correct back on, toggle the switch "On".
- Shopping for a new Samsung device or tech accessories? Check out our coupon site for Samsung discounts.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Windows

1
Open Start
. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- When using WhatsApp on a computer, you must disable the computer's autocorrect.
2
Type in autocorrect. This will search for the autocorrect settings menu.
3
Click Autocorrect misspelled words. You'll see this at the top of the Start menu.
4
Click the "On"
switch. This will be below the "Autocorrect misspelled words" heading. Doing so will disable autocorrect for programs, including WhatsApp, on your Windows computer.
- To turn auto-correct back on, toggle the switch "On".

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using Mac

1
Open the Apple menu
. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.^{[2]
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2
Click System Preferences…. This option is near the top of the drop-down menu.
3
Click Keyboard. It's in the System Preferences window. Doing so opens a new window.
4
Click Text. This tab is at the top of the Keyboard window.
5
Uncheck the "Correct spelling automatically" box. You'll find it at the top of the Keyboard window. Doing so will prevent programs on your Mac, including WhatsApp, from automatically correcting your typing.
- To turn auto-correct back on, toggle the switch "On".