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An iOS bug won't let some users type 'I'

An iOS bug won't let some users type 'I'

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There’s no “I” in tA[?]M

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Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Some Apple users with devices running iOS 11.1 are finding that typing the letter “I” autocorrects to an “A” with a unicode [?] symbol instead. Reddit user TheCravin documented the bug and said that Apple’s predictive keyboard feature suggests a random character like “A,” “#,” or “!” followed by the unicode symbol, and then automatically replaces the “I” unless the user takes corrective action. TheCravin noted however, that when trying to copy the autocorrected text, the paste corrected the text back to “I.” The bug seems to affect iMessage and other apps including Twitter and Instagram as well.

Apple says the bug is affecting devices including the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch that have updated to iOS 11.1. Not all users have been affected by the bug though. Two of The Verge staffers who have tested for the issue haven’t experienced it, even with predictive text turned on. Apple is reportedly working on a fix.

Autocorrect suggesting a change for “I.”
Autocorrect suggesting a change for “I.”
Image: TheCravin

In the meantime, Apple describes a workaround through its Text Replacement feature. If you’re suffering from this bug and want to use this temporary fix, go to the Settings menu, tap General, then Keyboard, and finally tap Text Replacement. Touch the “+” symbol then in the Phrase option type “I” and in Shortcut, type a lowercase “i.” It’s a fiddly “fix” that brings new variability to the ever useful Apple meme of You’re [insert verb] it wrong.

Users have expressed their frustration, and it’s certainly rendered this weekend trend of letting predictive text complete the phrase “I was born” completely useless.