Disable Predictive Text on Windows Phone

Predictive text on Windows Phone can be a helpful typing aid, but it can also be frustrating when it suggests the wrong words or fills in terms you don’t want. This guide shows you how to turn off predictive text (also called word suggestions) on your Windows Phone, giving you full control over what appears as you type. No special tools are neededâ€”just your phone’s Settings app.

What You’ll Need

A Windows Phone (Windows Phone 8, 8.1, or Windows 10 Mobile)
Access to the Settings app (usually a gear icon on the Start screen or app list)

Step-by-Step

Open Settings: From the Start screen, swipe left to see the app list, or tap the arrow at the bottom. Find and tap the Settings gear icon.
Go to Keyboard Settings: In Settings, scroll down and tap keyboard (on Windows Phone 8/8.1) or Devices > Typing (on Windows 10 Mobile). The exact name may vary slightly depending on your OS version.
Select Your Keyboard: If you have multiple keyboards installed (e.g., English, French), tap the keyboard you use most often. If you only have one, it will be listed as the default.
Find the Suggestion Toggle: Look for a switch or checkbox labeled Suggest text, Text suggestions, or Show word suggestions. On Windows Phone 8/8.1, this is often under a section called “Suggestions.” On Windows 10 Mobile, it’s under “Text suggestions.”
Turn It Off: Tap the toggle or checkbox so it turns off (the switch will move to the left, or the checkbox will be unchecked). The change takes effect immediatelyâ€”there’s no save button.
Optional: Disable Autocorrect: While you’re in the same settings screen, you may also see an option for Autocorrect or Replace text as you type. If you want to stop the phone from automatically changing words, turn this off as well. It’s often right below the suggestion toggle.
Test It: Go to any app where you can type (like Messages or OneNote) and start typing. You should no longer see word suggestions above the keyboard. If they still appear, double-check that you turned off the correct keyboard’s settings.

Common Mistakes

Turning off the wrong keyboard: If you have multiple keyboards, you might disable suggestions for one but not the one you actually use. Make sure you select the keyboard that is active when you type.
Confusing autocorrect with suggestions: These are two separate settings. Turning off suggestions doesn’t stop autocorrect, and vice versa. If you want both gone, you need to disable both.
Not checking the app-specific keyboard: Some apps (like certain messaging apps) have their own keyboard settings that override the system keyboard. If you don’t see the change in a specific app, check that app’s settings for a keyboard option.
Assuming the setting is global: On some Windows Phone versions, keyboard settings are per-keyboard, not per-device. If you switch to a different keyboard later, you’ll need to disable suggestions for that one too.

Tips

Keep suggestions but remove autocorrect: If you like seeing suggestions but hate the phone changing your words, keep the suggestion toggle on and turn off autocorrect. This way you can tap a suggestion if you want it, but the phone won’t force a change.
Use the dictionary reset: If you’ve been using predictive text for a while, the phone may have learned your typing habits. If you turn suggestions back on later and they’re weird, you can reset the word dictionary from the keyboard settings (look for “Reset dictionary” or “Clear learned words”).
Check for updates: Windows Phone keyboards sometimes update through the Store. If you can’t find the exact setting name, make sure your phone has the latest updates installed.
Try a different keyboard: If the built-in keyboard’s suggestions bother you, you can install a third-party keyboard from the Store (like SwiftKey or TouchPal) and use that instead. Each has its own settings for suggestions.

Troubleshooting

Suggestions still appear after turning them off: First, restart your phone. If that doesn’t help, go back to Settings > Keyboard and verify the toggle is actually off. Some phones have a separate setting for “Highlight misspelled words” that can look like suggestionsâ€”turn that off too if you see it. If you’re using a third-party keyboard, make sure you’re not accidentally using it instead of the default.

Can’t find the keyboard settings: On Windows Phone 8, the path is Settings > Keyboard. On Windows 10 Mobile, it’s Settings > Devices > Typing. If you still can’t find it, use the search bar in Settings and type “keyboard” or “typing.”

Autocorrect is still on: Remember that autocorrect is a separate setting. Go back to the keyboard settings and look for “Autocorrect” or “Replace text as you type” and turn it off.

The setting doesn’t stick after a restart: This is rare, but if it happens, check if your phone has a battery saver or a “Kids Corner” feature that might be resetting settings. If the problem persists, consider a soft reset (hold the power button and volume down for about 10 seconds until the phone vibrates and restarts).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off predictive text also turn off autocorrect?

No, they are separate settings. Predictive text shows word suggestions above the keyboard, while autocorrect automatically replaces words as you type. You need to turn off both if you want neither.

Can I turn off suggestions for only one language?

Yes, if you have multiple keyboards installed, you can disable suggestions for one keyboard while leaving them on for another. Just select the specific keyboard in Settings > Keyboard and toggle its suggestion setting.

Do I need to restart my phone for the change to take effect?

No, the change is immediate. You can start typing right away and you’ll see no suggestions. A restart is only needed if the setting doesn’t seem to work.

What if I want to turn predictive text back on later?

Simply go to the same keyboard settings and toggle the suggestion switch back on. Your previously learned words may still be there, or you can reset the dictionary if you want a fresh start.

Does this affect the physical keyboard if I have one?

No, this setting only affects the on-screen touch keyboard. If you have a physical keyboard (like a keyboard case), it won’t have predictive text suggestions anyway.

Why do I still see suggestions in some apps?

Some apps have their own custom text input fields that use a different keyboard or have their own suggestion settings. Check the app’s settings for a keyboard or typing option, or try a third-party keyboard that gives you more control.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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