The suggestions that appear above the iPhone keyboard are part of Apple’s predictive text feature. On an iPhone 7 Plus, you can enable predictive suggestions without changing the keyboard language or replacing Apple’s keyboard with a third-party one.
Turn on predictive text
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap Keyboard.
- Turn on Predictive if that switch is available on the installed iOS version.
Open Messages or Notes and begin typing. Suggested words or phrases should appear in the prediction area when iOS has relevant suggestions.
You can also change it from the keyboard
On compatible iOS versions, press and hold the globe or emoji key and open Keyboard Settings. This provides a quicker route to the same keyboard preferences while you are already typing.
Predictions depend on language and context
Make sure the correct language keyboard is installed. Predictive behavior can vary by language, app, text field, and what you are typing. Password and other secure fields intentionally do not provide normal predictive suggestions.
Auto-Correction is a different feature
Predictive text displays suggestions you can choose. Auto-Correction can automatically replace text as you type. You can enable one while disabling the other if that combination better fits your typing style.
If the suggestion bar is missing
Restart the app, verify Predictive is enabled, and test with Apple’s standard keyboard. Third-party keyboards manage their own prediction systems and may not use Apple’s settings.
The iPhone 7 Plus cannot run current iOS releases and no longer receives current iOS security updates. Newer iPhones still offer predictive typing, although the interface and additional inline prediction features can differ.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.