Improve Autocorrect on Google Keyboard Android - Tips & Tricks
Taming Autocorrect on Android: A Comprehensive Guide
Autocorrect, while often helpful, can occasionally lead to frustrating errors. Experiencing an autocorrect mishap can make users cautious about its use, despite its potential benefits. This guide details how to gain control and optimize autocorrect functionality on Android devices.
Our focus will be exclusively on Google Keyboard, as it is the standard keyboard on many Android phones. We have previously explored Google Keyboard features, including silencing its sounds and vibrations. Now, we will concentrate on enhancing text input for greater efficiency and accuracy.
While alternative keyboards like SwiftKey and Swype are available, Google Keyboard offers a robust and, importantly, free solution. The instructions provided here are based on screenshots from Android 5 Lollipop, but the settings are generally consistent across Android versions 4.x and 5.x.
Accessing Autocorrect Settings
Begin by opening the device’s Settings application. Then, select the “Language & input” option.
From the subsequent screen, tap on “Google Keyboard.”
Next, select “Text correction.”
Text Correction Options
The text correction screen presents several customizable options. We will address “personal dictionary” and “add-on dictionaries” shortly. Let's first examine the remaining settings.
The “block offensive words” setting is particularly relevant for users who wish to utilize strong language in their communications. This option is enabled by default. Disabling it may reduce unwanted alterations when employing more expressive vocabulary.
The fourth option controls the intensity of autocorrection. Choices include modest, aggressive, very aggressive, or completely off. “Modest” is the default setting and generally provides a suitable balance.
“Show correction suggestion” toggles the display of suggested corrections as you type.
“Personalized suggestions” aims to learn from your typing habits to provide more accurate and relevant suggestions. This feature can also be enabled or disabled.
“Suggest contact names” allows Google Keyboard to access your contacts, offering suggestions as you begin typing a name. This can expedite the process of selecting contacts.
Finally, “next-word suggestions” provides predictive typing functionality. Google Keyboard attempts to anticipate your next word based on your current input. While potentially less useful than other options, it can be beneficial for frequently used phrases.
These options are largely intuitive, and leaving most enabled – with the possible exception of “block offensive words” – can enhance your typing experience. Disabling autocorrect entirely may also prove beneficial if it consistently causes issues.
Leveraging Dictionaries
Now, let’s explore the power of dictionaries, particularly the personal dictionary, to further refine your Google Keyboard experience.
Dictionaries within Google Keyboard
Google Keyboard provides users with two distinct dictionary options. Expanding the keyboard’s capabilities is achievable through the installation of supplementary dictionaries. For instance, selecting the English (UK) dictionary allows for British spelling conventions, alongside options for French, Italian, and numerous other languages, including even English emoji terminology.
To incorporate a dictionary, simply select the desired option and tap “install” to add it to your device.
However, the personal dictionary feature proves to be considerably more valuable. This allows users to add custom words directly to their phone or tablet’s lexicon. This functionality surpasses merely adding commonly used profanity; it’s particularly useful for frequently employed slang, colloquialisms, or idioms.
Several methods exist for enriching your dictionary. While typing, Google Keyboard will suggest corrections for unrecognized words, assuming autocorrect is activated. You can revert to your original input and then select the option to add the word.
A red underline indicates a word flagged as potentially misspelled by the dictionary. Tapping the underlined word reveals replacement suggestions, or the option to “add to dictionary.”
Alternatively, to directly manage dictionary entries, navigate to “personal dictionary” within the settings. The subsequent screen displays the specific dictionary you wish to modify, such as “English (United States).”
A search function is available for navigating extensive personal dictionaries. Each word can be tapped to facilitate editing or deletion.
Selecting “Add” allows you to input a custom word and optionally assign a shortcut. Exiting the add screen automatically saves the new entry to your personal dictionary; a dedicated “Save” button is not required.
Utilizing personal dictionaries represents a highly effective strategy for minimizing autocorrect errors. However, it necessitates a period of training the dictionary to recognize your unique communication style. This is particularly relevant for users who employ Google Keyboard’s swipe input method.
With an understanding of Google Keyboard’s advanced features, you can now customize it to suit your preferences. Autocorrect need not be a frustrating experience, especially when aiming to express yourself using your preferred language.
Finally, we’d like to hear your thoughts. Were you previously unaware of the ability to add words and create custom dictionary entries? Do you frequently encounter issues with autocorrect? Share your experiences and feedback in our discussion forum.