If you have autocorrect active in iOS 17 or iPadOS 17, you may have noticed that it’s difficult to place the cursor next to a word that was corrected. For some reason, the system insists on highlighting the word and showing you what you originally typed.

iPhone gives autocorrect feedback when trying to place cursor

Bypass Autocorrect Feedback

As I wrote in Efficient Dexterity, you can hold the spacebar on iPhone and iPad to toggle a trackpad-style experience. The keyboard will fade out and provide a surface where you can move your finger to precisely drag the cursor and select text.

To easily place the cursor at the beginning of a word that was changed by autocorrect, simply invoke the trackpad and let go.

I realize this is my first mention of autocorrect in six years of publication. Would you like to hear more about it? Do you find autocorrect helpful or harmful to your productivity? Sound off in the comments below…