A method for entering text in a text input field using a non-keyboard type accessory includes selecting a character for entry into the text field presented by a portable computing device. The portable computing device determines whether text suggestions are available based on the character. If text suggestions are available, the portable computing device can determine the text suggestions and send them to the accessory, which in turn can display the suggestions on a display. A user operating the accessory can select one of the text suggestions, expressly reject the text suggestions, or ignore the text suggestions. If a text suggestion is selected, the accessory can send the selected text to the portable computing device for populating the text field.