Have you ever been typing a message on your iPhone or iPad, accidentally shaken your device, and suddenly seen the “Undo Typing” pop-up appear? You’re not alone! This feature — called Shake to Undo — can be both helpful and annoying.
If you’re using an older device running iOS 9, you might have noticed that this gesture activates far too easily, especially when you’re just picking up or moving your iPhone. The good news? You can turn off the undo feature to stop those interruptions once and for all.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to disable undo in iOS 9, explain what the feature does, why you might want to turn it off, and what alternatives you can use instead.
What Is the Undo Feature in iOS 9?
The Undo feature in iOS 9 is Apple’s built-in way to help users quickly undo text typing, edits, or deletions in apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages.
Instead of pressing a keyboard shortcut or tapping a button, iOS lets you shake your iPhone or iPad to bring up a small pop-up saying “Undo Typing.”
It’s designed to save time — but for many users, it activates accidentally far too often.
How Shake-to-Undo Works on iPhone and iPad
Here’s how it functions:
-
Whenever you type something (for example, in Messages or Notes), iOS monitors for a shake gesture.
-
If it detects one, it immediately displays a small alert:
“Undo Typing” with options like Undo or Cancel.
If you select Undo, your last few words or sentences disappear.
This gesture is great when intentional — but if you tend to move your device around, it can be more irritating than useful.
Why You Might Want to Disable Undo in iOS 9
Here are some of the most common reasons users prefer to turn off Shake to Undo:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Accidental activation | The feature often triggers when you simply pick up your phone or walk. |
| Interruptions | The pop-up blocks your screen while typing, breaking your focus. |
| One-handed users | Typing with one hand can easily cause unintended shakes. |
| Children or elderly users | They may find the constant pop-ups confusing or disruptive. |
If any of this sounds familiar, disabling the undo feature will make your iPhone or iPad much smoother to use.
How to Disable Undo in iOS 9 (Step-by-Step)
Disabling the Shake to Undo feature on iOS 9 is simple and takes less than a minute.
Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Open the Settings App
From your home screen, tap Settings ⚙️ to open the main settings menu.
Step 2: Go to General
Scroll down and tap General. This section contains system-level features and gestures.
Step 3: Tap Accessibility
Next, choose Accessibility. This menu includes all options that make iOS easier to use and customize.
Step 4: Find and Disable “Shake to Undo”
Scroll down until you see Shake to Undo.
-
Tap it to open.
-
Switch the toggle Off (gray).
And that’s it — you’ve successfully disabled undo in iOS 9.
Now, when you shake your device, iOS will ignore the gesture and no longer bring up the “Undo Typing” alert.
Alternative Methods to Undo Without Shaking Your Device
Just because you’ve turned off Shake to Undo doesn’t mean you lose the ability to undo mistakes.
Here are a few alternatives:
1. Use the Undo Button in the Keyboard
-
In some apps (like Notes or Mail), you can tap the Undo arrow button on the top of the keyboard.
-
This works just like the shake gesture.
2. Three-Finger Tap (Newer iOS Versions)
If you upgrade later, iOS 13+ introduces gesture-based undo:
-
Tap three fingers on the screen to open the editing menu.
-
Choose Undo from the options.
3. Keyboard Shortcuts (iPad with Keyboard)
If you use a physical keyboard with your iPad:
-
Press Command + Z to undo.
-
Press Shift + Command + Z to redo.
4. Manual Re-typing
When all else fails, simply re-type the text. While slower, it avoids accidental deletions caused by shaky hands.
How to Re-Enable Shake-to-Undo in iOS 9
If you later decide that Shake to Undo was actually useful, you can easily re-enable it.
-
Open Settings.
-
Go to General → Accessibility.
-
Scroll to Shake to Undo.
-
Toggle it On (green).
Your device will immediately start recognizing shake gestures again.
What If You Don’t See the Shake-to-Undo Option?
If you can’t find the setting under Accessibility, here’s what might be happening:
-
Outdated iOS Version: Only iOS 9 and above include this toggle. If you’re on iOS 8 or older, you can’t disable Shake to Undo.
-
Different Device Behavior: Some older iPads didn’t display the setting visibly but still supported the gesture.
-
Restrictions Enabled: If you’re using a managed (school/work) device, system restrictions might hide certain options.
Try updating to iOS 9.3.6 (the final iOS 9 build) to ensure you have the full Accessibility menu.
Does Disabling Undo Affect Other Features?
No — disabling Shake to Undo only affects that specific gesture.
It does not:
-
Remove keyboard undo buttons.
-
Change copy/paste or autocorrect functions.
-
Interfere with app performance.
So you can safely disable it without worrying about side effects.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If the feature doesn’t seem to turn off even after following the steps, try these quick fixes:
-
Restart your iPhone or iPad.
-
A simple reboot often resets gesture settings.
-
-
Toggle the feature Off and On again.
-
Then disable it once more.
-
-
Reset Accessibility Settings.
-
Go to Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings (Note: This won’t delete your data, but will reset preferences).
-
-
Update to the latest iOS 9 version.
-
Some older builds had bugs with Accessibility toggles.
-
How to Disable Undo in Later iOS Versions (iOS 13 and Beyond)
If you upgrade your device, you might be happy to know that Apple replaced the Shake to Undo gesture with modern, screen-based gestures starting from iOS 13.
Here’s what changed:
-
You can now swipe three fingers left to undo and right to redo.
-
The Shake-to-Undo toggle remains available in Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Shake to Undo.
So even in newer versions, the process is nearly identical — just found under “Touch” instead of “Accessibility.”
Tips to Type Faster on iOS Without Shake-to-Undo
If you’re disabling undo because it interrupts your typing, these tips can help you stay efficient:
-
Use predictive text: It suggests words as you type.
-
Double-tap the spacebar: Adds a period automatically.
-
Swipe typing (QuickPath): On newer iPhones, drag your finger across letters to form words.
-
Use dictation: Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard to speak your text.
-
Install third-party keyboards: Apps like Gboard or SwiftKey can add better editing tools.
Accessibility Settings That Help Prevent Accidental Actions
In addition to disabling Shake to Undo, iOS 9 includes several Accessibility options that make your device easier to control:
| Setting | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Reduce Motion | Limits animation effects to reduce nausea or distraction. |
| AssistiveTouch | Adds an on-screen button for gestures and shortcuts. |
| Touch Accommodations | Adjusts how your screen reacts to touches. |
| Guided Access | Locks the device into a single app to prevent accidental exits. |
These can all help if you have motor difficulties or just want a smoother experience.
What to Do If You Can’t Update from iOS 9
If you’re stuck on iOS 9 due to hardware limitations (for example, on iPhone 4s or iPad 2), here are a few tips:
-
Disable Shake to Undo using the steps above.
-
Avoid accidental shakes by holding your device firmly when typing.
-
Use third-party apps like Google Docs or Evernote, which offer their own undo/redo buttons.
-
Back up your data regularly since older iOS versions are more vulnerable to crashes or data loss.
FAQs
1. Can I disable undo only for specific apps?
No. In iOS 9, the setting applies system-wide — once disabled, it affects all apps that support Shake to Undo.
2. Why does my iPhone still undo typing after I turned it off?
Try restarting your device or updating to the latest version of iOS 9. Some users report needing a reboot for the setting to take effect.
3. Does disabling undo save battery life?
Not significantly, but it can reduce small background motion detection checks.
4. Is there a way to undo without gestures in iOS 9?
Yes. Some apps include an Undo icon (curved arrow) in their editing toolbar.
5. Can I disable Shake to Undo on iPad too?
Absolutely! The process is identical — go to Settings → General → Accessibility → Shake to Undo, then toggle it off.
Key Takeaways
-
Shake to Undo is the gesture that activates the undo prompt in iOS 9.
-
You can disable it under Settings → General → Accessibility → Shake to Undo.
-
Turning it off prevents accidental pop-ups while typing.
-
You can still undo text using the keyboard or physical shortcuts.
-
The setting doesn’t affect any other functions or performance.
Conclusion
The Shake to Undo feature in iOS 9 was a clever innovation for its time, but not everyone appreciates its sensitivity. If you’ve ever been frustrated by unexpected pop-ups while typing, you now know exactly how to disable undo in iOS 9 — quickly and safely.
With just a few taps in Settings, you can stop the interruptions and enjoy a smoother, distraction-free typing experience.
Remember: iOS should adapt to you, not the other way around.