macOS Text Replacement Export/Import Works Great Until It Doesn’t

@AlanRalph Alan Ralph
Wed, 06 May 2026 13:49:44 +0000

I’ve tried relying on just the built-in macOS text replacement system in the past, but keep finding enough edge cases where it doesn’t work to justify the continued use of Typinator.

Judging by the error messages and other things you came across, Adam, I can only surmise that macOS (and iOS/iPadOS) text replacement wasn’t designed for intensive use.

(I also have Keyboard Maestro, but I find Typinator easier to work with when it comes to text expansion. YMMV, of course, that’s just my preference.)