How to completely disable T9 on Android 8: all methods

Auto-change and auto-correction T9 on Android 8.0 Oreo can significantly make typing more difficult, especially if you are used to precise input or use specialized vocabulary. The system often corrects words to those that seem “correct” to it, but in fact distort the meaning of the message. For example, technical terms like adb or fastboot are automatically replaced with "adb" or "fastboot", and proper names turn into a set of meaningless characters.

In Android 8.0 the keyboard settings interface has undergone changes compared to previous versions, so the standard instructions for Android 6-7 will not work here. In addition, manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei often modify the shell by adding their own keyboards with unique autocorrect algorithms. This means that there is no universal solution - you will have to adapt the approach to a specific model.

In this article we will analyze all the current ways to disable T9: from standard settings Gboard (keyboards from Google) to fine-tuning alternative keyboards like SwiftKey or Samsung Keyboard. You will also learn how to temporarily pause autocorrect for individual applications or completely reset the user's dictionary if the system has “remembered” too many incorrect options.

What is T9 and why it should be disabled

Technology T9 (Text on 9 keys) was originally developed for push-button phones, where each numeric key was responsible for several letters. The algorithm predicted the word based on the buttons pressed and the built-in dictionary. In smartphones, this technology has evolved into an autocorrect system that analyzes the context, frequency of word use, and even the user’s writing style.

On Android 8.0 Oreo T9 is integrated into the core of the system keyboard and works on the basis of:

• 📚 Built-in dictionary —a database of ~300,000 words in Russian/English;
• 🧠 Machine learning —the algorithm remembers frequently used words and phrases;
• 🌍 Contextual analysis —takes into account previous words in a sentence;
• 🔄 Cloud synchronization —if the option is enabled Google account.

However, this system has critical drawbacks:

⚠️ Attention: T9 autocorrect on Android 8 can automatically send entered words to Google to improve the serviceif the "Improve Gboard" option is not disabled in the settings. This even applies to words that are not in the standard dictionary.

Main reasons for disabling:

• 🔧 Technical terms - words like root, recovery or ODIN replaced with "root", "recovery", "one";
• 📛 Names and surnames - rare names (for example, Daniil → "Danil") or foreign surnames;
• 💬 Slang and jargons — "lol", "crash", "cheater" are converted to "lol", "crash" (remains unchanged, but is emphasized as an error);
• 📱 Messengers with encryption — in Signal or Telegram Secret Chat autocorrect may conflict with data protection.

Method 1: Disabling autocorrect in the standard Gboard keyboard

Gboard (formerly Google Keyboard) is the most common keyboard on Android 8.0, even if the manufacturer has installed its own shell. To disable T9 in it:

1. Open any field for entering text (for example, Notes or Messages).

2. Tap the icon ⚙️ "Settings" on the keyboard panel (next to the space bar).

3. Go to section Text correction.

The following options are available:

Option	Recommended value	Effect
AutoCorrect	❌ Disabled	Disables replacing words using the dictionary
Show hints	❌ Disabled	Removes gray tooltips above the keys
Automatic spaces	✅ Enabled	Maintains ease of typing (optional)
Autocapitals letters	✅ Enabled	Useful for starting sentences
Block accidental clicks	✅ Enabled	Prevents typos when typing quickly typing

After turning off autocorrect, the system will still highlight errors with a red wavy line, but will not correct them. To remove the underlining:

1. Return to Text correction;

2. option Highlight spelling errors.

The text input field is open|

The ⚙️ button on the keyboard is pressed|

"AutoCorrect" is disabled in the "Correction" section text"|

Disabled "Show hints"|

Checked for lack of autocorrect on rare words -->

Method 2: Setting up keyboards from manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei)

Manufacturers often replace Gboard with their own solutions. For example:

• 📱 Samsung Keyboard - in smartphones Galaxy S8, Note 8 etc.;
• 📱 Mi Keyboard - in devices Xiaomi on MIUI 9/10;
• 📱 Huawei SwiftKey - in models P10, Mate 10.

For Samsung Keyboard (for example Galaxy S8 s Android 8.0):

1. Open Settings → General management → Language and input → Virtual keyboard;

2. Select Samsung Keyboard;

3. Go to Smart input → AutoCorrect and turn off the slider.

Features Xiaomi MIUI:

⚠️ Attention: In MIUI 9/10 on Android 8.0 disabling autocorrect in Mi Keyboard is not saved after a reboot. To fix this, you need to reset the keyboard settings to factory settings in the Additional → Reset settings.

For Huawei with a keyboard SwiftKey:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Current keyboard;

2. Click on the gear next to SwiftKey;

3. Disable:

• 🔄 AutoCorrect;
• 📊 Double word correction;
• 🔍 Typing tips.

How to reset the user dictionary in Samsung Keyboard

1. Go to Keyboard settings → Smart input → Personal data.

2. Click Reset training data.

3. Confirm the action. This will delete all saved words, but will not affect the system dictionary.

Method 3: Using alternative keyboards without T9

If the standard settings do not suit you, you can install keyboard from third-party developers, where autocorrect can be disabled flexibly or not at all. The best options for Android 8.0:

1. AnySoftKeyboard (free, open source)

• ✅ Complete disabling of autocorrect;
• ✅ Support for gesture input;
• ✅ Custom themes.

How to configure:

1. Install from Google Play;

2. Go to Settings → Languages and layouts;

3. data-i="171">i Autocorrect And Text prediction.

2. Hacker’s Keyboard (for developers)

• ✅ Keys Esc, Ctrl, Alt;
• ✅ No autocorrect by default;
• ❌ Inconvenient for regular chat.

3. Simple Keyboard (minimalism)

• ✅ Weight < 1 MB;
• ✅ No data collection;
• ❌ No swipe input.

After installing an alternative keyboard, you need to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard;

2. Turn on the slider next to the new keyboard;

3. Click Reset to default and select it in the list.

Method 4: Disabling T9 for individual applications

Sometimes autocorrect is needed disable only in specific applications - for example, in Termux (for entering commands) or Notepad++ (for code). In Android 8.0 this can be done in two ways:

Option 1: Using different keyboards

1. Install two keyboards (for example, Gboard and AnySoftKeyboard);

2. In the desired application (for example, Termux):

• Tap the input field;
• Swipe down the notification panel;
• Tap on notification Selecting an input method;
• Select a keyboard without autocorrect.

Option 2: Setting up exceptions in Gboard

1. Open Gboard Settings → Text correction → Personal dictionary;

2. Add words that should not be corrected (for example, adb, fastboot);

3. To completely disable it in a specific application:

• Launch the application;
• Touch the input field;
• Hold space on the keyboard;
• Select Keyboard settings → Advanced → Disable autocorrect for this application.

This method does not work on all firmwares. For example, Xiaomi MIUI 9 it may not be available.

Method 5: Reset the keyboard settings to factory settings

If autocorrect behaves unpredictably (for example, it replaces words with random symbols), resetting the settings will help. will delete:

• 📝 Custom dictionary;
• 🔄 Input history;
• ⚙️ Individual settings (themes, layouts).

For Gboard:

1. Go to Settings → Applications and notifications → Show all applications;

2. Find Gboard and open its settings;

3. data-i="232">Storage → Clear data Storage → Clear data.

For Samsung Keyboard:

1. Open Settings → General management → Language and input → Samsung Keyboard;

2. Select Reset settings;

3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei P10 s EMUI 8.0) default system language. Before the procedure, check the current language in Settings → System → Language and input → Language.

After reset, it is recommended:

• 🔄 Reboot device;
• 📱 Check the operation of the keyboard in 2-3 applications;
• ⚙️ Disable autochange again (the settings may return to factory settings).

Solving problems after disconnecting T9

Disconnection autocorrect can lead to unexpected consequences. Let's consider typical problems and their solutions:

Problem 1: Word suggestions disappear when typing

If you have disabled Show hints in Gboard, but want to return hints without autocorrect:

1. Go back to Settings → Text correction;

2. Enable Show hintsbut leave Autocorrect turned off.

Problem 2: The keyboard has become slower

On weak devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy J5 2017) disabling autocorrect can speed up typing, but if lags remain:

• 🗑️ Clear the keyboard cache in Settings → Applications → Gboard → Storage;
• 🔄 Switch to light keyboard (for example, Simple Keyboard);
• 📵 Disable Vibration when pressed and Key sound.

Problem 3: AutoCorrect returns after updates

After updating Gboard or firmware settings may be reset. To avoid this:

1. Disable automatic updating Gboard in Google Play;

2. settings);

3. Create a backup copy of the settings via Titanium Backup (root access is required).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disabling T9 on Android 8

Is it possible to disable T9 only for English, leaving it for Russian?

Yes, in Gboard this is possible:

1. Go to Settings → Text correction → Languages;

2. Select English (US/UK);

3. Disable AutoCorrect only for this language.

For Samsung Keyboard there is no such option - the settings apply to all languages.

Why after disabling T9 some words are still corrected?

This can happen for three reasons:

• 🔄 The option is enabled Autocorrection (separate from autocorrection);
• 📱 A third-party spell checker application has been installed;
• 🔍 The word has been added to Personal dictionary with a typo.

Check all three items in the settings keyboard.

How to completely remove the T9 dictionary from the device?

For complete removal:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Gboard → Storage;

2. Click Clear data (this will delete everything, including themes);

3. For Samsung Keyboard: Settings → General management → Language and input → Samsung keyboard → Resetting training data.

⚠️ After this, you will have to configure the keyboard again.

Is there a way to disable T9 without root access?

Yes, all the methods described in the article work without root access only for:

• Removing the system keyboard (not recommended);
• Blocking updates Gboard via Titanium Backup.

Will disabling T9 affect voice input?

No, voice input (via the microphone on the keyboard) uses separate speech recognition algorithms. However, if you disable Autocorrect in text mode, it will not be applied to the recognized voice. To check this:

1. Activate voice input (🎤 icon on the keyboard);

2. Dictate a rare word (for example, "device");

3. See if it remains unchanged.