Why Is Autocorrect on the iPhone Still So Terrible?
Macworld|April 2022
The iPhone's ability to fix our words is just as bad as it was 10 years ago.
By Jason Cross
Why Is Autocorrect on the iPhone Still So Terrible?

We've all been there. You mean to type a simple phrase like “What do you want for lunch today? and it comes across as, “What do you it want for launch tidy? Autocorrect mistakes are so commonplace, and have been for so long, that we barely even acknowledge them anymore unless they're unintentionally hilarious.

Why is this? We're coming up on 15 years of the iPhone—the device that pioneered and popularized touch-only keyboard input-and autocorrect has been with us in some form or another since the '90s when Word would automatically correct accidental caps-lock typing or common misspellings.

After decades and billions of devices sold, not to mention that meteoric rise of machine learning and Al, autocorrect feels just as dumb as ever. In some ways it feels like it has regressed, even, making nonsensical substitutions when a simple letter swap would produce the correct word. Is autocorrect just really hard? Or is it not even trying to work the way it needs to? Is it no longer a priority?

THE MARCH OF NINES

I first learned of the concept called the “march of nines about 20 years ago (though I don't know where that term originated). I was researching and writing about the latest voice dictation software. That was back when computer users would have to buy software like Dragon Dictate to talk to their machines.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MACWORLDView all
Mac 911
Macworld

Mac 911

Solutions to your most vexing Mac problems.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Great-sounding headphones that support aptX
Macworld

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Great-sounding headphones that support aptX

B&W's new top-of-the-range Bluetooth earbuds sound great and include an innovative smart case that supports aptX technology for high-quality audio-even on Apple devices.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
AirPods versus AirPods Pro: How they compare
Macworld

AirPods versus AirPods Pro: How they compare

Don't know whether to buy the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, or AirPods Pro 2? Here's how they stack up.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
Apple's true hit of 2024 isn't the iPhone 16
Macworld

Apple's true hit of 2024 isn't the iPhone 16

Apple's unsung hero of the fall is the AirPods 4.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Ugreen Revodok Pro 210: Decent speeds at a nice price
Macworld

Ugreen Revodok Pro 210: Decent speeds at a nice price

A hub for users who don't need top performance from their connections.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger: Clever and compact
Macworld

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger: Clever and compact

Anker proves that with a clever design, you can also achieve compact dimensions suitable for traveling.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Wombat Willow: A solid typing tool with some quirks
Macworld

Wombat Willow: A solid typing tool with some quirks

This isn't a keyboard that lets you simply plug in and go-you need to read the manual.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
pdfFiller: An overpriced, half-baked PDF editor for macOS
Macworld

pdfFiller: An overpriced, half-baked PDF editor for macOS

A basic PDF editor that doesn't fulfill its promises and costs too much.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
iPHONE 16 & 16 PLUS REVIEW: THE PHONE FOR EVERYONE CREEPS INTO PRO TERRITORY
Macworld

iPHONE 16 & 16 PLUS REVIEW: THE PHONE FOR EVERYONE CREEPS INTO PRO TERRITORY

APPLE'S BEST ALL-AROUND PHONE IS BETTER AND ALL-AROUNDER.

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2024
APPLE WATCH SERIES 10 REVIEW: MODEST IMPROVEMENTS TO A PROVEN FORMULA
Macworld

APPLE WATCH SERIES 10 REVIEW: MODEST IMPROVEMENTS TO A PROVEN FORMULA

IF YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A BIG APPLE WATCH REVAMP, THIS ISN'T IT, BUT IT'S STILL THE BEST SMARTWATCH AROUND.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024