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iPadOS 18 Notes - How do I turn off spell check for handwriting?

I used to love writing with the calligraphy pen in Notes on the iPad and using design elements to convey what I feel. Having annoying lines under words the OS doesn't recognize pop up, go away, and pop up again makes what was a very relaxing activity considerably less so and litters up the page. This would be a great feature in some cases and one I would use, but I have never seen a spell check that can't be disabled. Can I really not disable the spell check for handwriting here? I am only supposed to use Notes one way?


Posted on Sep 22, 2024 9:21 AM

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Posted on Sep 23, 2024 7:13 AM

I've experienced this too. I use Notes as a space to journal, free-associate, scribble, and play with words, often bending the rules of spelling and language to unleash my creativity and foster outside-the-box thinking. The constant underlining of words—even when they're spelled correctly—becomes a major distraction, like having a strict teacher hovering over my shoulder, shouting, "That's wrong!" It's baffling that there's no way to disable this feature. Apple, please, for the sake of creatives everywhere, give us the option to turn it off.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 23, 2024 7:13 AM in response to tateff

I've experienced this too. I use Notes as a space to journal, free-associate, scribble, and play with words, often bending the rules of spelling and language to unleash my creativity and foster outside-the-box thinking. The constant underlining of words—even when they're spelled correctly—becomes a major distraction, like having a strict teacher hovering over my shoulder, shouting, "That's wrong!" It's baffling that there's no way to disable this feature. Apple, please, for the sake of creatives everywhere, give us the option to turn it off.

Oct 20, 2024 2:51 PM in response to tateff

As a Hebrew speaker, to me it’s a horrible user experience. Not only that apple doesn’t support Hebrew for many of its features like scribble, but while I simply want to journal in Hebrew I can’t do so due to these spell check underlines. Every word I write seems to it like a total gibberish (understandably).

I would really appreciate that if they don’t spell check other languages other than English, at least give us the option to turn that thing off…


Oct 20, 2024 3:47 PM in response to inevo

inevo wrote:

As a Hebrew speaker, to me it’s a horrible user experience. Not only that apple doesn’t support Hebrew for many of its features like scribble, but while I simply want to journal in Hebrew I can’t do so due to these spell check underlines. Every word I write seems to it like a total gibberish (understandably).
I would really appreciate that if they don’t spell check other languages other than English, at least give us the option to turn that thing off…


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Nov 8, 2024 3:00 AM in response to tateff

I have used the notes app for years, I'm left handed and have a unique writing style that is all my own. I don't want it changing my handwriting. I like that only I can read it. now I cant get rid of these blue lines. they are so distracting! whenever I'm mid flow it just pulls at your attention. I've been looking everywhere for a forum and so glad you all feel the same. I've filled in the feature request but am so annoyed. I want my keyboard settings separate from my writing settings. I did try googling this but its seems to mistake the writing feature with basic spell check or how to simply turn off the rewrite feature. Either way, dear Apple Overlords could I please disable the blue squiggle

iPadOS 18 Notes - How do I turn off spell check for handwriting?

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