To turn predictive text on or off on an iPhone SE, open Settings > General > Keyboard and switch Predictive Text (called Predictive on older iOS versions) on or off. When it’s on, suggested words appear above the keyboard as you type. On iOS 17 and later, you can also turn Show Predictions Inline on or off to control the gray suggestions that appear right in the text.
These steps work on every iPhone SE model and other iPhones. Here’s what each setting does and how to fix suggestions you don’t like.
How to enable or disable predictive text on iPhone SE
- Open Settings.
- Tap General > Keyboard.
- Under All Keyboards, turn Predictive Text on (green) or off.
- Optional: turn Show Predictions Inline on or off.
Predictive text vs. related keyboard settings
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Predictive Text | Shows three word suggestions above the keyboard |
| Show Predictions Inline | Shows a gray suggestion in your text. Tap the Space bar to accept it (iOS 17 and later) |
| Auto-Correction | Fixes misspelled words automatically |
| Check Spelling | Underlines misspelled words in red |
| Text Replacement | Expands shortcuts you set, like “omw” to “On my way!” |
If words change on their own as you type, that’s Auto-Correction, not predictive text. Turn it off in the same menu.
How to use predictive text
- Tap a suggested word above the keyboard to insert it.
- Tap the word in quotation marks to keep exactly what you typed.
- Emoji suggestions can appear too when you type words like “happy” or “pizza.”
How to clear bad suggestions
If your iPhone keeps suggesting odd words or typos, reset the keyboard dictionary. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. This removes words your iPhone learned from your typing. It doesn’t delete anything else.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t I see predictive text suggestions?
Predictive Text may be off, or you’re typing in a password field or an app that disables suggestions. Some third-party keyboards also have their own settings.
Can I turn off predictive text for one language only?
No. The setting applies to all keyboards.
Does predictive text learn from my messages?
Yes. It learns words and phrases you use often, on your device.
How do I turn off the gray text that appears as I type?
Turn off Show Predictions Inline in Settings > General > Keyboard.
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.