How To Turn Off Predictive Text on Android

The Android operating system is incredibly versatile and customizable, but that can also lead to confusing menus. Thankfully, across all Android versions or derived systems, the controls aren’t too different. You’ll find turning off predictive text on Android a walk in the park.

If you’re not a fan of the predictive text feature that comes with Android, look no further. The setting can be found and deactivated within seconds. Read on to find out more.

Turning Predictive Text Off on Android Devices

Android users should be aware that there are many Android-based operating systems and modified Android ROMs available. These include:

• Oxygen OS
• MIUI
• Pixel Experience

While they remain Android at the core, these operating systems may differ in naming options or arranging menus. Therefore, you should be familiar with your device first so you don’t get lost.

That said, the menus are always clearly labeled.

To turn predictive text off on Android, follow these steps:

1. Go to your device’s Settings menu.
   
2. Scroll down and look for “System” or “Languages & Input.”
   
3. If you went to “System,” select “Languages & Input.”
4. Go to “Keyboards.”
   
5. Select your active keyboard.
   
6. Go to the keyboard app’s settings.
   
7. Scroll down and look for “Text Correction” or something similar.
   
8. Tap on “Predictive Text” or “Next-Word Suggestions” to toggle the feature off.
   
9. Test the keyboard and see if the option is disabled.
   

After disabling this option, you should no longer see predictive text options when you type on most apps. The exceptions are apps with their own predictive text features, which you’ll have to turn off separately. This is because they’re not affected by the keyboard’s settings.

Your active keyboard will also differ if you install others that don’t come with the device. Each smartphone or tablet has an integrated keyboard, but you may prefer something like Gboard. In that case, you’ll have to select it.

If you turn off predictive text on Gboard, the option may still be active on your other keyboard. In that case, repeating the steps above will clear all keyboards of predictive text.

Turning Predictive Text Off Quickly on a Samsung Keyboard

Many smartphone users own Samsung devices, and they come with a Samsung Keyboard by default. The keyboard has a shortcut to reach the settings immediately. With that, you can turn predictive text off even faster.

1. Bring up the Samsung Keyboard by tapping on any available text box.
   
2. At the top bar, look for the cog icon.
   
3. Tap on it to reach the Samsung Keyboard settings.
   
4. Scroll down and look for “Predictive Text.”
   
5. Toggle the setting off.
   

Both this method and the one described earlier work, so it’s up to you which you use. Note that “Language and Keyboard” will be found under “General Management” on many Samsung devices.

Turning Predictive Text Off Using Gboard

If you prefer Gboard, there’s a shortcut to reach the settings without going to the Settings menu on your device. Another advantage is that this shortcut works on practically every Android device.

1. Bring up Gboard on the screen of your Android smartphone or tablet.
   
2. Tap and hold the comma (,) key near the bottom.
   
3. Three options will pop up after a moment.
   
4. While still holding the key, swipe and highlight the cog icon.
   
5. Let go to reach the Settings menu instantly.
6. Go to “Text Correction.”
   
7. Toggle “Show Suggestion Strip” or “Predictive Text” off.
   

Alternatively, you can also create a shortcut to Gboard on some devices.

Deleting Personalized Predictions

We touched on how keyboards learn your preferred vocabulary and commonly used words. If you want to delete this information, you’ll have to do so manually. We’ll cover the instructions for both Gboard and Samsung Keyboard.

These steps should work for other keyboards as well.

Here’s how to remove Gboard’s personalized dictionary:

1. Open Gboard’s Settings menu.
   
2. Scroll down and find “Advanced.”
   
3. Toggle “Personalization” off.
   
4. Go to “Delete Learned Words and Data.”
   
5. Gboard will warn you that the operation is permanent.
   
6. Enter the given number to continue.
   
7. Tap on “OK” to finish.
   

If you turn off the “Personalization” setting, Gboard will stop recording your vocabulary and preferred words. However, it won’t remove any collected data. Following all steps will ensure deletion.

Next, we’ll move on to Samsung Keyboard. This process is quite different.

1. On your Samsung phone, go to the Settings menu.
   
2. Scroll down and select “General Management.”
   
3. Go to “Language and Input.”
4. Select “Samsung Keyboard” from the list of on-screen keyboards.
   
5. Look for “Reset to Default Settings.”
   
6. Tap on “Erase Personalized Predictions.”
   
7. Select “Erase” to confirm your choice.
   

With that done, you can turn off predictive text to ensure no new data gets created.

Type Everything Manually

You’re free to type with predictive text without any distracting boxes appearing. Others disable the feature because of privacy concerns. Regardless of the reason, the methods of turning this feature off are pretty simple.

Do you use predictive text when typing? Do you turn off other typing aids on your mobile devices as well? Let us know in the comments section below.