Stop Auto Capitalization on iPhone and iPad
To stop iPhone or iPad from automatically capitalizing the first letter of a sentence, open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, and turn off Auto-Capitalization. This changes the keyboard’s automatic sentence-start behavior; it does not disable other typing features such as predictive text or autocorrect.
Turn Off Auto-Capitalization
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General, then Keyboard.
- Find Auto-Capitalization and switch it off.
- Return to a text field and type a sentence to check the change.
The switch is usually in the keyboard settings on iPhone and iPad. Menu labels can vary slightly by software version or language, but the setting is under General and Keyboard. You do not need to restart the device; the change should apply as you type.
To turn the feature back on, follow the same route and enable Auto-Capitalization. If you use an external keyboard, its behavior may depend on the keyboard and the app, so test in the place where you normally type.
What Auto-Capitalization Changes
With Auto-Capitalization on, the built-in keyboard generally makes the first letter after a sentence-ending mark uppercase. It may also capitalize the first letter of text entered in certain fields. The feature is designed for ordinary sentence typing, where a capital at the start is usually expected.
Turning it off tells the keyboard not to automatically change that initial letter. It does not force every character to lowercase: you can still capitalize a letter yourself with the Shift key, and words that you type in uppercase remain uppercase. Nor does it necessarily stop an app from formatting text independently.
For example, if you are entering a username that starts with a lowercase letter, disabling the setting can prevent the keyboard from changing the first character after a period or when a new field opens. In a regular message, however, you will need to capitalize sentence beginnings yourself if you want standard capitalization.
Auto-Capitalization Is Not Autocorrect
Several keyboard options sound similar but control different behaviors. Auto-Capitalization changes capitalization at the beginning of text or sentences. Auto-Correction attempts to replace or correct words as you type. Predictive suggestions offer likely next words or replacements, while Check Spelling can identify spelling issues without necessarily changing capitalization.
If the problem is that a correctly typed word is being replaced, switch off Auto-Correction rather than Auto-Capitalization. If unwanted suggestions are the issue, review Predictive settings. These options are generally available in the same Settings > General > Keyboard screen, although the available controls can differ by keyboard, language, and software version.
- Only the first letter becomes uppercase: turn off Auto-Capitalization.
- Words change to different words: check Auto-Correction.
- Suggestions appear above the keyboard: check Predictive settings.
- A particular app changes the text: check that app’s own formatting or input settings.
If the Setting Does Not Seem to Work
First, confirm that you changed the setting on the device where you are typing. Then test in a basic text field, such as a new note or message draft, rather than relying on one app. Some fields are configured to capitalize names or sentences, and apps can apply their own formatting rules; those behaviors may not be controlled by the system-wide keyboard switch.
If the keyboard still capitalizes text, check these common causes:
- The switch is still on. Reopen Keyboard settings and verify Auto-Capitalization is off.
- You are using a different keyboard. A third-party or hardware keyboard can have separate settings or behavior.
- The app is applying formatting. Compare typing in another app, and look for capitalization or text-formatting options in the affected app.
- You are seeing autocorrection instead. A word replacement is a different issue; review Auto-Correction and any text-replacement shortcuts.
For a temporary correction, tap the Shift key to change the next letter’s case, or edit the character after typing. If a setting appears stuck, close and reopen the app and check the keyboard setting again. Avoid resetting all keyboard settings unless there is a broader keyboard problem: it can remove learned typing data or other preferences, and is usually unnecessary for this change.
When to Keep It On or Turn It Off
Keep Auto-Capitalization on if you mostly write sentences and want the keyboard to handle routine capitalization. Turning it off can be useful when entering case-sensitive identifiers, code, usernames, product names, or text that intentionally begins with a lowercase letter. It can also reduce interruptions for people who prefer to control capitalization manually.
There is no effect on the underlying spelling of a word or on whether an account accepts a username. Capitalization can matter in some fields, however, so follow the format expected by the service or app. For passwords, the keyboard setting only affects what is entered; it does not change the password already saved on an account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off auto capitalization on my iPhone?
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard, then switch off Auto-Capitalization.
Can I turn off auto capitalization but keep autocorrect?
Yes. These are separate keyboard settings. Turn off Auto-Capitalization and leave Auto-Correction enabled if you still want word corrections.
Why does my iPhone still capitalize a word after I turn it off?
The app or text field may apply its own formatting, or you may be using a different keyboard. Test in another app and check the app’s input settings.
Does turning off auto capitalization make everything lowercase?
No. It prevents automatic capitalization in the situations controlled by that setting. You can still type uppercase letters manually with Shift.
How do I turn auto capitalization back on?
Open Settings > General > Keyboard and enable Auto-Capitalization again.
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