How smartphone autocorrect works and how to customize it

there Auto correction (or Replace text) is a very useful function in our smartphones, which, in case of spelling or typing errors, replaces the misspelled words with the correct ones. This function, now widely used on both Android smartphones and iPhones and also in various applications for Windows and MacOS such as Excel, was invented in the 1990s by Eng. Dean Hachamovitch From Microsoft who are working on Word developmentHe had a hunch: use the program's dictionary to automatically correct the most common typing errors.

What is autocorrect and how does it work

The auto-correction function corrects misspelled words by automatically replacing them in real time with the correct words contained in the reference dictionary. To invoke this feature, simply type in a text field and, if not previously disabled, autocorrect where applicable. The condition is necessary because autocorrect is not always able to work correctly: sometimes it does not correct certain errors, and other times it does it incorrectly or inappropriately. Overall, though, autocorrect works well and is undoubtedly useful.

But how does AutoCorrect understand when and how text is corrected? In short, it is done through A combination of text recognition algorithms Which compares the words entered by the user with those in the dictionary used as a reference. For the most common typos, these algorithms also use a Default list of alternatives. For example, “bnee” is automatically corrected to “okay.”

More advanced and modern autocorrection systems, such as those found in our smartphones, are also able to learn writing habits and improve over time to avoid correcting false positives and learn technical or slang words that might be flagged as errors.

How to turn on and off autocorrect

Depending on your usage needs, you can enable and disable the autocorrect feature from your smartphone settings.

robot

The procedure to be followed above robot It may vary depending on which version of Google's mobile operating system you are using. In the specific case of the device available to the editorial staff and which we used in the relevant tests, this was made possible by going to Settings > Additional settings > Language & input > Spell checking And progress presence The key next to the item Enable spell checking or higher helpless To deactivate the function.

On other devices, the steps and wording may differ slightly, so it is best to refer to the official instructions provided by your device manufacturer.

iPhone

on iPhoneHowever, to enable or disable spell checking, you must go to Settings > General > Keyboard And use the switch Turn on off It is located next to the entrance Auto correction To activate or deactivate the function in question.

from the screen keyboard It is also possible to work on keys related to certain “guarantees” options related to the autocorrecter, in particular Automatically capitalize, predictive text, Check spelling, Caps lock, Smart punctuation And abbreviation ” . “.

How to manage and customize the AutoCorrect feature

It can be auto-correct function Managed and personalized To better meet your own needs, to do this, you usually have to act from the keyboard settings (in the case of Android) or from the system settings (in the case of iPhone).

Regarding robotOnce he arrives at the department Settings > Additional settings > Language & input > Spell checking (or in the corresponding section available on your smartphone), you should click on the item Keyboard managementThen select the label Settings Connected to your existing keyboard, and from there, functions can be worked on Text correction Available for the keyboard you are using.

on iPhoneInstead you have to go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacementpush the button + (top right) and create the shortcut that will automatically type a specific word or phrase using the appropriate function.

In addition, regardless of the keyboard and mobile platform used, in many cases it is possible to add terms to the dictionary or select the word for which the error will be corrected by touching the word indicated by the autocorrecter and clicking Make decision Add it to the dictionary or Replace it with the correct term from those mentionedDepending on the circumstances.