Apple appears to be working on a meaningful upgrade to the iPhone keyboard, one that could finally address long-standing frustrations with autocorrect.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing a new keyboard system in iOS 27 that expands autocorrect beyond simple corrections. Instead of just fixing words after you type them, the keyboard may suggest alternative words as you write, similar to how tools like Grammarly work.
The current iPhone keyboard focuses on correcting mistakes after the fact. It often gets basic intent wrong, especially when typing quickly. A system that actively suggests better word choices while you type could reduce friction and make writing feel more natural.
Apple’s keyboard may move closer to AI-powered writing tools
Gurman did not confirm how the feature works under the hood, but the direction is clear. Suggesting alternative words in real time aligns closely with how modern AI writing tools operate. Grammarly, for example, moved to AI-driven suggestions that go beyond spelling and grammar to improve clarity and tone.
If Apple takes a similar approach, the keyboard upgrade could be powered by its Apple Intelligence models. That would fit with Apple’s broader push to integrate on-device AI across iOS, rather than treating features like autocorrect as isolated utilities.
The upgrade is not confirmed, but timing points to iOS 27
Apple has not finalized whether this keyboard will ship, according to Gurman. If it does, it would likely arrive as part of iOS 27.
The first developer beta is expected in June, with a public release around September. That gives Apple time to refine how aggressive or helpful these suggestions feel in real use.
Apple is trying to fix a problem it already acknowledged
Apple recently improved keyboard accuracy in iOS 26.4, specifically targeting fast typing. That update suggests the company is actively working on this area, but it does not fully solve the underlying issue.
The current keyboard still struggles with prediction accuracy and intent. It corrects words, but often misses what you actually meant to say. A system that suggests alternatives before mistakes happen could be a more effective fix.
If Apple gets this right, the iPhone keyboard may finally feel competitive with the smarter, more context-aware input systems people have been expecting for years.
