Stop Autocorrect Changing Symbols | Fast Settings Fix
You typed (c) and got ©. You typed three dots and got …. Somewhere an autocorrect table rewrote you. Don't nuke the whole feature — kill the one entry.
Word: AutoCorrect entries
Word replaces (c)→, (r)→, (tm)→, ...→…, and straight quotes to curlies. Fix one: File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options → find the entry → Delete. Emergency undo: Ctrl + Z immediately after a replacement reverts just that one.
Google Docs: substitutions
Tools → Preferences → Substitutions lists every automatic swap (including the same (c)→© set). Uncheck “Automatic substitution”, or delete single rows. Note Docs ignores Alt codes entirely — see special characters in Google Docs.
iPhone: Auto-Correction vs Text Replacement
Two separate systems. Auto-Correction (Settings → General → Keyboard) rewrites words as you type — turn it off, keep Predictive. Text Replacement (same screen, bottom) expands shortcuts like “omw” — your rogue symbol almost certainly lives here as a custom entry; delete it.
Android (Gboard): text correction
Gboard → Settings → Text correction → toggle Auto-correction off, and check Personal dictionary for entries expanding into symbols. Samsung Keyboard hides the same under Smart typing → Predictive text and Text shortcuts.
Questions
How do I stop Word changing (c) to ©?
File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options → delete the (c) entry, or press Ctrl+Z right after it changes to undo just that replacement.
How do I stop my phone changing what I type?
iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → turn off Auto-Correction (keep Predictive). Android Gboard: Settings → Text correction → turn off Auto-correction.
Last verified Sep 2026 · Windows 11 24H2, macOS 15.1 · How we test