Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Spell Check: Turn It On

If your Samsung Galaxy Note 8 isn’t underlining misspelled words as you type, the spell check feature is likely turned off in the keyboard settings. This guide walks you through enabling it on the stock Samsung Keyboard, so you can catch typos in texts, emails, and notes.

What You’ll Need

A Samsung Galaxy Note 8 with the Samsung Keyboard set as your default keyboard (this is the standard keyboard that comes with the phone).
Your phone unlocked and on the home screen.

Step-by-Step

Open any app that brings up the keyboard. This can be Messages, Notes, or even the search bar on your home screen. The keyboard needs to be visible to access its settings.
Tap the settings gear icon on the keyboard. Look at the top row of the keyboard (the row with numbers and symbols). You should see a gear icon (⚙️) on the far left. Tap it. If you don’t see it, tap the down arrow (⌄) at the top left of the keyboard to expand the toolbar, then tap the gear.
Select “Smart typing” from the settings menu. This will open a submenu with various typing assistance features.
Tap the toggle next to “Spell check” to turn it on. The toggle will turn blue when enabled. If it’s already blue, spell check is on, but you may have a different issue (see Troubleshooting).
Exit the settings. Tap the back arrow or the home button. Your keyboard is now set to underline misspelled words in red as you type.

Common Mistakes

Turning on the wrong setting. Some users confuse “Spell check” with “Auto replace” or “Text shortcuts.” Spell check only underlines errors; it doesn’t fix them automatically. Auto replace does the fixing. Make sure you’re toggling the correct one.
Using a third-party keyboard. If you’re using Gboard, SwiftKey, or another keyboard, the Samsung keyboard settings won’t apply. You need to open that keyboard’s own settings (usually via a gear icon on the keyboard or in the app’s settings).
Checking the wrong language. If your keyboard is set to a different language than the text you’re typing, spell check may not work as expected. Ensure the keyboard language matches the language you’re writing in.
Looking for a global phone setting. There’s no “Spell Check” toggle in the main Settings app under “General Management” or “Language and Input” for the Note 8. It’s only in the keyboard’s own settings.

Tips

Add words to the dictionary: When a word is underlined in red, tap on it. You’ll see suggestions. If you tap the word again (or tap the “+” icon if available), you can add it to your personal dictionary so it won’t be flagged again.
Use “Auto replace” alongside spell check: In the same “Smart typing” menu, you can enable “Auto replace” to automatically correct common typos. This works well with spell check for a smoother typing experience.
Reset the keyboard settings if needed: If you’ve changed many settings and things are acting weird, go to Settings > General Management > Language and Input > On-screen keyboard > Samsung Keyboard > Reset settings. This will restore defaults without erasing your saved words.
Check the language: Tap the globe icon on the keyboard to switch languages. Make sure the correct language is selected for the text you’re typing.

Troubleshooting

Spell check is on, but words aren’t being underlined.

Restart the keyboard: Close the keyboard (tap the back button) and reopen it. Sometimes the keyboard needs a refresh.
Restart your phone: A simple reboot can clear temporary glitches that affect the keyboard.
Clear the keyboard’s cache: Go to Settings > Apps > Samsung Keyboard > Storage > Clear Cache. This won’t delete your personal dictionary or settings, but it can fix glitches.
Check if you’re in a password field: Spell check is intentionally disabled in password fields. Try typing in a regular text field.
Ensure the keyboard is updated: Go to the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, search for “Samsung Keyboard,” and update if available.

Spell check underlines everything, even correct words.

Language mismatch: Your keyboard’s language may be set to a different variant (e.g., US English vs UK English). Change it in the keyboard settings under “Languages and types.”
Clear the personal dictionary: If you’ve accidentally added many wrong words, go to Settings > General Management > Language and Input > On-screen keyboard > Samsung Keyboard > Smart typing > Personal dictionary, and remove any incorrect entries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is there no spell check option in my keyboard settings?
A: This can happen if you’re using a third-party keyboard. The option only appears in the Samsung Keyboard settings. Switch back to Samsung Keyboard by tapping the globe icon or changing the default keyboard in Settings > General Management > Language and Input.

Q: Will spell check work in all apps?
A: Yes, as long as the app uses the standard Android text input system. Some apps with custom text fields (like certain games or specialized editors) may not support it.

Q: Does spell check work offline?
A: Yes, the Samsung Keyboard has an offline dictionary, so it works without an internet connection.

Q: How do I turn off spell check again?
A: Follow the same steps and toggle the “Spell check” switch off.

Q: Can I change the language of the spell checker?
A: Yes, the spell checker uses the same language as your keyboard. To change it, tap the globe icon on the keyboard to cycle through your added languages, or add a new language in the keyboard settings under “Languages and types.”

Q: Why does my phone auto-correct words even with spell check on?
A: That’s a separate feature called “Auto replace” or “Auto correction.” You can turn it off in the same “Smart typing” menu by toggling off “Auto replace.”

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

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →