With VoiceOver, a gesture-based screen reader, you can use iPhone even if you can’t see the screen. VoiceOver gives audible descriptions of what’s on your screen, for example, the battery level, who’s calling, or what item your finger is on. You can also customize the VoiceOver speaking voice to suit your needs.
When you touch the screen or drag your finger over it, VoiceOver speaks the name of the item your finger is on, including icons and text. To interact with the item, such as a button or link, or to move to another item, use VoiceOver gestures.
When you go to a new screen, VoiceOver plays a sound, then selects and speaks the name of the first item on the screen, typically in the top-left corner. It also tells you when the screen changes orientation, when the screen becomes dimmed or locked, and what’s active on the Lock Screen when you wake iPhone.
Turn VoiceOver on or off
Important: VoiceOver changes the gestures you use to control iPhone. When VoiceOver is on, you must use VoiceOver gestures to operate iPhone.
To turn VoiceOver on or off, use any of the following:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver, then turn VoiceOver on or off.
- Use Control Center if you’ve added VoiceOver there.
- Use the Accessibility Shortcut if you’ve set it up to turn on VoiceOver.
Siri: Ask Siri something like, “Turn on VoiceOver.” Learn how to use Siri.
Siri knows when VoiceOver is on and often reads more information back to you than appears on the screen. You can also use VoiceOver to read what Siri shows on the screen.
Use an interactive tutorial to learn VoiceOver
The interactive VoiceOver Tutorial is where you can learn VoiceOver basics and practice essential gestures.
With VoiceOver turned on, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver, then tap VoiceOver Tutorial to get started.
Practice VoiceOver gestures
To safely try out VoiceOver gestures and hear what they do, use the VoiceOver Practice area, where they won’t perform any action or otherwise affect iPhone.
Try different techniques to discover which works best for you. If a gesture doesn’t work, try a quicker movement, especially for a double tap or swipe gesture. To swipe, try brushing the screen quickly with your finger or fingers. For best results using multifinger gestures, touch the screen with some space between your fingers.
- Open Settings, tap Accessibility, and then tap VoiceOver.
- Turn on VoiceOver, tap VoiceOver Practice, and then double-tap to start.
- Practice the following gestures with one, two, three, and four fingers:
- Tap
- Double tap
- Triple tap
- Swipe left, right, up, or down
- When you finish practicing, tap Done. Then double-tap to exit.
