Predictive search in Safari-can't keep typing

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Level 1

8 points

Predictive search in Safari-can't keep typing

As of yesterday, I'm using an iPhone for the first time. When using Safari and typing in the search bar, I'm getting the predictive search results (either finishing my words or correcting my spelling), but I'm surprised to find that if I tap on one of these results, it automatically searches that text.

I'm used to Chrome, where the similar predictive feature gives you an arrow alongside each predicted search term, allowing you to replace your text with that term and then keep typing. Perhaps I'm a little myopic about the app and platform I've been used to, but this seemingly small feature of the interface is massively useful and seems like a no-brainer to include in any kind of web searching app.

Is there no way to incorporate predicted text and then keep typing in Safari search?

I know I can just use Chrome on my iPhone, but it'd be nice to be able to make the phone's native app do what I need...

iPhone SE, iOS 10.3.1

Posted on Apr 12, 2017 9:15 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

272,316 points

Apr 12, 2017 10:36 PM in response to shmorrison01

I believe you are confusing two very different operations.

Predictive text is an iOS feature that behaves in much the way you describe. Here is an example of predictive text in the Notes app. In this example, I might choose "sad" or "safe" where shown toward the bottom and continue typing.

Contrast that to the very different situation in Safari. There, I have also typed "Saf" But I am then presented with Google Search alternatives, which are clearly labelled as such. I am not offered predictive text alternatives above the keyboard.

If you don't care for Safari's behavior, go to Settings > Safari > Search Engine Suggestions = "Off".

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Answer 2

shmorrison01 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 13, 2017 4:16 AM in response to sberman

Thanks, but I'm not confusing anything. Maybe you're getting hung up on my use of the words "predictive" and "predicted"? While it may be that iOS uses the term "predictive" only for the first function you describe, the function in Safari certainly is predictive, in that it predicts things you might type. I suppose you could call it "auto-complete." In any case I think I'm pretty clear about what I'm describing.

What I'm not happy with (as stated above) is not that Safari does this but that it doesn't do it well or flexibly enough, so turning off the function won't help.

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