How to turn on the secret auto-correct keyboard for iPhone, iPad

November 10, 2011 By Andrew Couts

Surprise: iOS contains a hidden, Android-like auto-correct keyboard. Here's how to turn on the feature (without jailbreaking your device).

The secret features of iOS are popping up left and right this week. On Tuesday, we found out that iOS contains a hidden panorama shooting mode for iPhone and iPad cameras. And now, it turns out that iOS 5 also contains an auto-correct keyboard bar concealed within its bowels.

The closeted feature, first reported by Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac, was uncovered by Australian hacker (and 9to5Mac researcher) Sonny Dickson. Unlike the panorama camera mode, which requires jailbreaking your phone — a move that enables a slew of inaccessible features, like downloading unauthorized apps, but can void your Apple warranty — the auto-correct feature only requires some fairly simple finagling.

Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Dowload iBackupBot (a program that allows users to edit files backed up to iTunes)
2. Backup your iPhone/iPad to iTunes
3. Open iBackupBot, find your most recent backup and load it.
4. Go to: Library/Preferences/com.apple.keyboard.plist and open the file. (Hint: Sonny explains that “if your software isn’t registered you’ll have to press cancel and then it will open.”)
5. Here’s the important bit. Add this code to the file you just opened: <key>KeyboardAutocorrectionLists</key><string>YES</string>
6. Save the file, and restore your device from within iBackupBot.
7. Enjoy your auto-correct keyboard bar goodness!

As with the panorama camera mode, there’s likely a good reason this secret feature isn’t simply a feature, so don’t be surprised if this minor code tinkering has some unexpected consequences. (We haven’t yet heard of any issues resulting from performing this change, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.) In other words: Enable auto-correct at your own risk.

Showing 2 comments

n0m0n at 6:50am 11th November 2011 I notice on some ones site that there is a option to turn on/off for this feature in settings. I have not been able to locate it other then the one on/off auto correct. Is there if so where?Thanks
Zip at 9:01pm 10th November 2011 This is not a very good tutorial.1) Doesn't tell you WHERE in the codes the new code line goes. 2) Doesn't tell you that it isn't a single code lines, but rather two code lines that need to go under the first code (YES) goes under the first part. 3) Doesn't tell you HOW to close the window after saving the code. The normal RED "X" on top left of the Mac window doesn't light up thus can't close. The way to close is by clicking on the last icon on the right of the list of icons on top of the window. (Looks like an "Power" symbol) 4) Doesn't tell you that it's actually buggy.