Autocorrect is a convenient and useful tool for instances when you’re unsure of the spelling of a certain word. On the flipside, autocorrect can be infuriating. Its program has its own set of shortcomings too.
When the iOS autocorrect system brilliantly works, it saves you from sending messages with misspelled words. Slips of the finger are efficiently fixed so no one is the wiser to your spelling inaccuracy. However, when the feature is exceedingly ruthless on how it corrects your message shorthand and terminology, or even unregistered names you type in, autocorrect can be a nuisance. The hassle and hilarity of “autocorrect fails” are so rampant today that there are several websites centered on cataloging the mishaps caused by autocorrect errors.
But just because this popular iPhone feature takes a wrong turn every now and then, it doesn’t mean that you need to disable the program. To help you improve your autocorrect feature, here are two tricks recommended by experts who sell iPhones and evaluate smartphone features.
1. Add Autocorrect Entries
The best approach to handle autocorrect is to vigorously regulate the recommendations the feature puts forward. When the autocorrect system of the iPhone locks down on a certain word, it can be difficult to manipulate the system to let it go. It’s a lot easier and quicker to set the feature on the right track right away.
For instance, you want your phone’s autocorrect feature to recognize the acronym BYOD. This abbreviation is yet to be approved by the dictionary, but is a popular jargon that stands for Bring
Your Own Device. When you type “BYOD” on your iPhone, the autocorrect feature will automatically assume you’ve misspelled the word “boys.” Now, if “BYOD” was really a mistake and you intended to type in “boys”, you simply need to tap the latter from the suggestion bar. This bar generally presents three predictive text choices and the best one is usually in the middle.
However, if you meant to use “BYOD” in your message, you need to tap the quoted “BYOD” from the suggestion bar. Selecting the quoted word will teach the system to recognize the word even if it’s not part of its built-in dictionary. Also, this action will stop the system from correcting “BYOD” to “boys” all the time.
2. Use the Shortcut Function
Another clever technique to manage autocorrect is to use the system’s shortcut feature. The best example of this trick is the default iOS sample, which is using “OMW” for “On my way.” Instead of texting the three words all the time, just key in the three letters and the autocorrect shortcut feature will automatically substitute “omw” with “on my way.”
To add your own shortcuts, simply:
- Go to the “Navigate to Settings” option on your iPhone.
- Choose “General.”
- Choose “Keyboard on your iOS device.”
- Tap the “Shortcuts” option.
- Key in the original long phrase or word followed by its shortcut.
If the two tricks don’t work for you or you just don’t have the patience to deal with autocorrect errors anymore, save yourself from the headache and simply disable the feature.
