Have you ever been typing a message on your iPhone and suddenly strange words you didn't intend appear? If you recently updated your device to iOS 26, you may have encountered a keyboard issue. And you're not alone! Despite major design and interface changes, there's a bug that's irritating millions of users: the keyboard malfunctioning. When you type a certain letter, it automatically types another letter. Here are the details of this problem, along with tips for dealing with it until Apple delivers a fix.
Keyboard issue in iOS 26
Imagine tapping the letter "U," but your iPhone typing "J" or "H" instead! This is exactly what's happening to many iOS 26 users. The keyboard feels "broken," and spelling errors increase, especially if you're not using autocorrect.
YouTuber Michi NekoMichi filmed a slow-motion video on an iPhone running iOS 26. In the video, he clearly presses the correct letters, but the system registers completely incorrect letters. This is because autocorrect is disabled, so word prediction doesn't replace the wrong words or letters.
This video went viral on YouTube and Reddit, confirming that the problem is not isolated!
Real user testimonials
On Reddit, there were so many complaints, one person even thought it was his fault every time, and attributed it to his advanced age. He lamented this until he discovered the problem and filed a complaint with Apple.
An iOS developer since 2018 also wrote: "I've hated the iOS keyboard since the beginning. Apple should have paid more attention to it since iOS 10!"
Another added: “Apple has neglected the keyboard and word prediction system for years.”
Many people have noticed an increase in typing errors in recent months, and believe it is due to poor concentration or stressing out the wrong letters.
Why does the keyboard issue occur in iOS 26?
The exact cause is not yet known, but experts suggest that this issue may be caused by changes to the touch algorithm, as iOS 26 changed the way it detects screen taps.
Or it could be a problem with "letter hitboxes." This means that the iPhone creates hidden areas around each letter on the keyboard to recognize pressure. However, these areas have become overlapping. For example, when you press "U," it registers "J" or "H," causing frequent typing errors despite your finger's precision. Consequently, the default letter boundaries have become inaccurate.
This issue is not related to autocorrect, it occurs even if the feature is turned off.
Despite these complaints, Apple has not officially acknowledged the issue as of the date of writing this article, nor has it released any update to address it.
What to do to deal with the keyboard issue in iOS 26?
Unfortunately, there is no immediate solution, but here are steps to help you until the fix comes:
Report the issue to Apple
go to the Apple website For official comments, describe the problem accurately, and attach a video if possible. The more complaints, the greater the chance of a quick fix!
Temporary solutions on your device
◉ Enable auto-correction through Settings > General > Keyboard > Auto-correction.
◉ Use a third-party keyboard like Google's Gboard.
◉ Type more slowly, and focus on precisely pressing the letters until the new update comes in.
◉ Restart your iPhone, sometimes it solves temporary problems.
Wait for an update from Apple
Apple usually releases minor updates like iOS 26.1 or 26.2 to fix bugs, so you should follow up.
Although iOS 26 brings many new features beyond design and interface improvements, it has been a source of significant frustration due to the broken keyboard issue. This isn't your fault; it's a software glitch that Apple will fix soon.
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