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How to use a braille display with VoiceOver on Apple Watch

by Chris Smith

Apple Watch supports many international braille tables and refreshable braille displays. You can connect a Bluetooth wireless braille display to read VoiceOver output, including contracted and uncontracted braille.

When you edit text, the braille display shows the text in context, and your edits are automatically converted between braille and printed text. You can also use a braille display with input keys to control your Apple Watch when VoiceOver is turned on. And you can change the braille display settings on your watch.

Connect a braille display

  1. Turn on the braille display.
  2. On Apple Watch, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, tap Braille, and then choose the display.

Change the braille display settings

  1. On Apple Watch, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap Braille.
  2. Set any of the following:

    Setting Description
    Output Set the braille display output to uncontracted six-dot, uncontracted eight-dot, or contracted braille.
    Input Choose the input method for entering braille on the display—uncontracted six-dot, uncontracted eight-dot, or contracted braille. You can also turn on Automatic Translation.
    Word Wrap Wrap words to the next line.
    Alert Display Duration Adjust the duration that an alert is visible on your braille display.
    Braille Tables Add tables to the Braille Table rotor.

See also

Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to use Zoom on Apple Watch

by Abigail Shilets

Use Zoom to magnify what’s on the Apple Watch display.

With Zoom on, you can zoom in or out, move around the page, and adjust the magnification, and the small Zoom button shows you where you are on the page.

Here’s how to use Zoom on Apple Watch.

Turn on Zoom

  1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility and tap Zoom. Then turn on Zoom.

You can also use your iPhone to turn on Zoom for your Apple Watch—go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Accessibility, then tap Zoom. You can also use the Accessibility Shortcut.

Controlling Zoom

When you’ve turned on Zoom, you can perform these actions on your Apple Watch.

  • Zoom in or out: Double-tap the Apple Watch display with two fingers.

    Tip: Double-tap with two fingers while setting up your Apple Watch to get a better look.

  • Move around (pan): Drag the display with two fingers. You can also turn the Digital Crown to pan over the entire page, left-right and up-down. The small Zoom button that appears shows you where you are on the page.
  • Use the Digital Crown normally instead of panning: Tap the display once with two fingers to switch between using the Digital Crown to pan and using the Digital Crown the way it works without Zoom on (for example, to scroll a list or zoom a map).
  • Adjust magnification: Double-tap and hold with two fingers, then drag your fingers up or down on the display. To limit magnification, tap the plus or minus button on the Maximum Zoom Level slider.

You can use hand gestures instead of taps to control Zoom. Go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, then go to Accessibility > Zoom > Hand Gestures. Turn on Hand Gestures, then use gestures including clench, double clench, tap, and double tap.

Note: The universal double tap gesture isn’t an option once you turn on Hand Gestures for Zoom.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to adjust text and display settings on Apple Watch

by Chris Smith

You can change text size and display settings to customize the appearance of onscreen elements. You can make text bold, turn on color filters, and adjust transparency.

Text size is quick to change from Control Center, and you can limit animation, too.

Here’s how to adjust text and display settings on Apple Watch.

Adjust text size in Control Center

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Adjust Text Size button and turn the Digital Crown to adjust.

Choose how text and other items appear on the screen

You can adjust transparency, make text bold, turn on color filters, and more.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then adjust any of the following:
    • On/Off Labels: Adds visual indicators to switches—a vertical line shows when a switch is on, and a circle shows when it’s off.
    • Reduce Transparency: Reduces transparency effects to improve text readability against backgrounds.
    • Increase Contrast: Increases color contrast between text and backgrounds for better visibility.
    • Show Borders: Shows the outline of onscreen elements.
    • Color Filters: Applies a filter to view the entire screen in grayscale or adjust colors for color vision deficiencies.
    • Minimum Brightness: Sets a higher minimum brightness level when the display automatically adjusts to lighting conditions.
    • Text Size: Adjusts the size of text for better readability.
    • Bold Text: Makes text appear bolder and more prominent.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Accessibility, then change an option.

Note: Changes in bold text and grayscale take effect after you restart your Apple Watch.

Limit animation

Motion on the Home Screen, and when apps open and close, is something you can limit.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility, tap Reduce Motion, and turn on Reduce Motion.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, go to Accessibility > Reduce Motion, then turn on Reduce Motion.

Quick tip: Turn on Reduce Motion, choose grid view for the Home Screen, and every app icon ends up the same size.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to use the Accessibility Shortcut on Apple Watch

by Emily Long

You can set the Digital Crown to turn these accessibility features on or off with a triple click: AssistiveTouch, Control Nearby Devices, Left/Right Balance, Reduce Motion, Reduce Transparency, Touch Accommodations, VoiceOver, or Zoom. If you set up more than one, you choose a feature each time.

Set the Accessibility Shortcut

  1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility, tap Accessibility Shortcut, and tap to put a checkmark next to each feature you want to turn on or off using the shortcut.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, go to Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, then choose an option.

Use the shortcut

  1. Press the Digital Crown quickly three times.

    If you’ve set up the shortcut to turn more than one feature on or off, choose a feature, then tap Done.

  2. Triple-click the Digital Crown again to turn off the accessibility feature.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to use VoiceOver on Apple Watch

by Moses Johnson

VoiceOver helps you use your Apple Watch even if you can’t see the display. Use simple gestures to move around the screen and listen as VoiceOver speaks each item you select.

It can even help you set up your Apple Watch, and you can turn it on from your iPhone, too. You can also use the VoiceOver rotor and adjust VoiceOver settings.

Here’s how to use VoiceOver on Apple Watch.

Turn VoiceOver on or off

Siri: Ask Siri something like, “Turn on VoiceOver.” See Control your Apple Watch and smart home accessories with Siri.

Or without using Siri:

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility and tap VoiceOver. Turn on VoiceOver.

    To turn VoiceOver off, double-tap the VoiceOver button.

You can also use your iPhone to turn on VoiceOver for your Apple Watch—go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, go to Accessibility, then tap the VoiceOver option. Or, use the Accessibility Shortcut.

Use VoiceOver for setup

VoiceOver can help you set up your Apple Watch—triple-click the Digital Crown during setup. For step-by-step instructions, see Set up Apple Watch using VoiceOver.

VoiceOver gestures

Use these gestures to control your Apple Watch with VoiceOver.

Note: VoiceOver supports the Always On Display, and if you tap the dimmed display, it focuses on the element under your finger.

  • Explore the screen: Move your finger around on the display and listen as the name of each item you touch is spoken. You can also tap with one finger to select an item, or swipe left or right with one finger to select an adjacent item. Swipe left or right, up or down with two fingers to see other pages.
  • Go back: If you’ve gone down a path you didn’t expect, do a two-finger scrub: use two fingers to trace a “z” shape on the display.
  • Act on an item: With VoiceOver on, use a double tap instead of a single tap to open an app, switch an option, or perform any action that would normally be done with a tap. Select an app icon, list item, or option switch by tapping it or swiping to it, then double-tap to perform its action. For example, to turn VoiceOver off, select the VoiceOver button, then double-tap anywhere on the display.
  • Perform additional actions: Some items offer several actions—listen for “actions available” when you select an item. Swipe up or down to choose an action, then double-tap to perform it.
  • Pause reading: To have VoiceOver stop reading, tap the display with two fingers. Tap again with two fingers to resume.
  • Adjust VoiceOver volume: Double-tap and hold with two fingers, then slide up or down. Or go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, then go to Accessibility > VoiceOver and drag the slider.

You can use hand gestures instead of taps to control VoiceOver. Go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, then go to Accessibility > VoiceOver > Hand Gestures. Turn on Hand Gestures, then use gestures including clench, double clench, tap, and double tap.

Note: The universal double tap gesture isn’t available if you turn on Hand Gestures for VoiceOver.

Use the VoiceOver rotor

The rotor changes VoiceOver settings and jumps from one item to the next on the screen. Its options on Apple Watch include Words, Characters, Actions, Headings, Volume, and Speaking Rate.

When VoiceOver is turned on, rotate two fingers on your screen as if you’re turning a dial. VoiceOver speaks the rotor setting. Keep rotating your fingers to hear more settings. Stop rotating your fingers when you hear the setting you want.

Use these gestures with the rotor.

Action Gesture
Choose a rotor setting Rotate two fingers
Move to the previous item or increase (depending on the rotor setting) Swipe up
Move to the next item or decrease (depending on the rotor setting) Swipe down

Adjust VoiceOver settings

You can adjust VoiceOver behaviors from your Apple Watch. Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch, go to Accessibility > VoiceOver, then do any of the following:

  • Turn off VoiceOver
  • Adjust the speaking rate
  • Set Speech options

    Tap Speech, then choose options for voice, pitch, rotor voices, and Improve Speech Clarity.

  • Set Audio options

    Tap Audio, where you can adjust VoiceOver volume and turn audio ducking on or off. You can also tap Sounds & Haptics to turn sounds, Match Speech Volume, and haptics on or off.

    When Match Speech Volume is on, the volume rotor changes the volume of VoiceOver speech and sounds; when it’s off, the volume rotor changes only the volume of VoiceOver speech.

  • Set Braille options

    Tap Braille, then choose options for Braille output, Braille input, word wrap, alert display duration, and Braille tables.

  • Set Keyboards options (not available on Apple Watch SE 3)

    Pair a Bluetooth keyboard to Apple Watch, tap Keyboards, then choose options for phonetic feedback, typing feedback, modifier keys, keyboard interaction time, and devices.

  • Turn off VoiceOver hints
  • Navigate with the Digital Crown
  • Choose to hear the name of the highlighted item when you raise your wrist
  • Turn on Screen Curtain, which turns off the display for privacy when using VoiceOver
  • Speak seconds
  • Configure Hand Gestures

You can find these same options on your iPhone. Go to the Apple Watch app, tap My Watch, then go to Accessibility > VoiceOver.

See also

Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to tell time with haptic feedback on Apple Watch

by Emily Long

Taptic Time tells you the current time as taps on your wrist—without anyone else hearing it. You can choose Digits, which uses long taps for tens and short taps for ones, Terse, which is accurate to a 15-minute period, or Morse Code.

Set up Taptic Time

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Clock and scroll down. Then tap Taptic Time.
  3. Turn on Taptic Time. Then select the pattern you want Taptic Time to use.

    • Digits: Conveys the hours and minutes by using long taps for tens and short taps for ones.

      For example, two long taps and three short taps, followed by three long taps and four short taps, would mean 23:34, or 11:34 p.m.

    • Terse: Conveys the time accurate to a 15-minute period; it’s less precise than Digits. It uses long taps to signify that 5 hours have passed since midnight, followed by short taps for the remaining hours and then long taps again for each quarter-hour.

      For example, three long taps, four short taps, and two long taps would convey a time between 19:30 (7:30 p.m.) and 19:44 (7:44 p.m.).

    • Morse Code: Taps out each digit of the current time in Morse Code. This is handy for people who are familiar with this coding system.

If VoiceOver is on, turn on Taptic Time by double-tapping the watch face while the display is inactive.

You can also configure Taptic Time on iPhone. Go to the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap My Watch, go to Clock > Taptic Time, then turn it on.

Note: Taptic Time doesn’t work if Apple Watch is set to always speak the time. To use Taptic Time, first go to Settings > Clock, and then turn on Control With Silent Mode under Speak Time.

Use Taptic Time

When Taptic Time is turned on, touch and hold two fingers on the watch face to feel the current time as taps on your wrist.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Clock
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How to adjust motor skills settings on Apple Watch

by Emily Long

If you have trouble using the touchscreen, you can adjust settings to change how the screen responds to touches.

You can set the side button and Digital Crown button speed, and use Touch Accommodations to respond to touches of a certain duration or ignore multiple touches.

Here’s how to adjust motor skills settings on Apple Watch.

Set side button and Digital Crown button speed

  1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility, tap Button Click Speed, and then choose a speed.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, then go to Accessibility > Button Click Speed.

Use Touch Accommodations

  1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility and tap Touch Accommodations to do any of the following:

    • Respond to touches of a certain duration: Turn on Hold Duration and tap the plus or minus buttons to adjust the duration.

      To perform swipe gestures without waiting for the specified hold duration, tap Swipe Gestures, then turn on Swipe Gestures. You can choose the amount of required movement before a swipe gesture begins.

    • Ignore multiple touches: Turn on Ignore Repeat and then tap the plus or minus buttons to adjust the amount of time allowed between multiple touches. Then, if you touch the screen several times quickly, your Apple Watch treats the touches as a single touch.
    • Respond to the first or last place you touch: Choose Use Initial Touch Location or Use Final Touch Location.

If you choose Use Initial Touch Location, your Apple Watch uses the location of your first tap—when you tap an app on the Home Screen, for example. If you choose Use Final Touch Location, your watch registers the tap where you lift your finger. Apple Watch responds to a tap when you lift your finger within a certain period of time. Tap the plus or minus buttons to adjust the timing. Your device can respond to other gestures, such as drags, if you wait longer than the gesture delay.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, then go to Accessibility > Touch Accommodations.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to control Apple Watch with your iPhone

by Dave Johnson

People with physical and motor disabilities may find it easier to control their Apple Watch from the larger screen on their paired iPhone. With Apple Watch Mirroring, you can control Apple Watch using iPhone’s assistive features like Voice Control and Switch Control.

You can use inputs including voice commands, sound actions, head tracking, or external Made for iPhone switches as alternatives to tapping the Apple Watch display. An image that mirrors your Apple Watch display appears on your iPhone, and you use gestures on that mirrored image.

Note: Apple Watch Mirroring isn’t available on Apple Watch SE.

  1. Go to the Settings app on the paired iPhone.
  2. Go to Accessibility and tap Apple Watch Mirroring. Then turn on Apple Watch Mirroring.
  • Scroll: Swipe the display up or down.
  • Swipe between screens: Swipe the display left or right.
  • Press the Digital Crown: Tap the Digital Crown on the display.
  • Press the side button: Tap the side button on the display.
  • Press the Action button: (Apple Watch Ultra models) Tap the Action button on the left side of the display.
  • Use Siri: Touch and hold the Digital Crown on the display.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Continuity
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How to control nearby devices with your Apple Watch

by Chris Smith

Just as you can control your Apple Watch with your iPhone, you can also control nearby devices, like your iPhone or iPad, with your Apple Watch. It’s handy. Your watch shows buttons that replicate the controls on your device, like the Home button, App Switcher, and Control Center, as long as both are signed in with the same Apple Account.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility and tap Control Nearby Devices.

    Your iPhone or iPad must be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple Account and be on the same network.

  3. Choose a device if more than one is nearby and tap a button.

    Buttons replicate the controls on your device and include the following:

    • Home button
    • App Switcher
    • Notifications Center
    • Control Center
    • Siri
    • Options (includes media play controls and customizable hand gestures)

With VoiceOver enabled on your Apple Watch, controlling a nearby device turns VoiceOver on there too, and the VoiceOver gestures you use on your Apple Watch are performed on that device.

Similarly, when you enable Switch Control on your nearby device, Switch Control buttons, such as Move, Next, and Select, appear on your watch.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Continuity
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How to type to speak using Live Speech on Apple Watch

by Tyler Stephen

With Live Speech, you can type and have your words spoken aloud, both in person and on phone and FaceTime audio calls.

On a call, people hear your words in the conversation; otherwise, they come out of the speaker on your Apple Watch. You can even use your Personal Voice, a synthesized voice that sounds like your own.

Here’s how to type to speak using Live Speech on Apple Watch.

Set up Live Speech

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility and tap Live Speech. Turn on Live Speech.
  3. Tap Voices, choose a voice, and tap Speak Sample to hear it.

    To use the voice, tap Download [name of voice], then tap Use Voice.

  4. To set up the Accessibility Shortcut to turn on Live Speech, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Accessibility Shortcut, and choose Live Speech.

Type to speak

  1. Triple-click the Digital Crown and choose Live Speech if you have more than one accessibility shortcut enabled. Then type what you’d like to have spoken or choose a favorite phrase.

    Tip: Add your most frequently used phrases so you can quickly access them. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Live Speech, then tap Favorite Phrases.

  2. Tap Send to have your phrase spoken.

On a phone or FaceTime audio call, people hear your words spoken in the conversation. Otherwise, your words come out of the speaker on your Apple Watch.

Use your Personal Voice with Live Speech

With Personal Voice, you can create a synthesized voice that sounds like your own to communicate with family and friends. Use your Personal Voice to type to speak in FaceTime and phone calls, assistive communication apps, and in-person conversations. (Available in select languages.)

After you create a Personal Voice, you can use it on Apple Watch:

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility and tap Live Speech.
  3. Tap English (US), then choose your Personal Voice.

Important: You may only use Personal Voice to create a voice on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that sounds like you using your own personal voice for your personal, noncommercial use.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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