Recent complaints regarding the autocorrect feature on iPhones suggest that users are encountering unusual word corrections, such as “come” being altered to “coke” and “winter” to “w Inter.” Discussions on various online platforms indicate that many users are experiencing similar issues, particularly since the release of Apple’s iOS 26 in September. Some users have expressed concern that these problems may remain unresolved.
A video showcasing an iPhone keyboard changing “thumb” to “thjmb” has gained considerable attention, receiving over nine million views. Experts in the field of autocorrect technology, such as Jan Pedersen, who has worked on autocorrect development for Microsoft, noted the complexity involved in understanding the underlying technologies driving recent changes. Kenneth Church, a computational linguist who contributed to early autocorrect systems, emphasized that Apple’s operations are closely guarded secrets, making it difficult to ascertain exactly how its new features function.
Historically, autocorrect technology has evolved significantly from simple spellchecking systems established in the 1970s. These earlier systems focused on identifying misspelled words by comparing them to a dictionary. In contrast, modern autocorrect requires advanced statistical analysis to provide contextually appropriate suggestions. For instance, it must differentiate between similar-sounding words or discern if a word fits the intended context.
Apple has claimed that its autocorrect feature now utilizes an on-device language model that incorporates advanced technology. While the specifics remain vague, it suggests a shift to using more sophisticated models, known as transformer language models, which power numerous contemporary AI applications. However, experts caution that understanding the mechanics behind these advanced models is increasingly complex, leaving users with lingering questions about potential errors and their origins.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/01/ducking-annoying-why-has-iphones-autocorrect-function-gone-haywire