If you’re unable to speak or have lost your speech over time, you can use Live Speech on iPhone to have what you type spoken out loud during in-person conversations and in apps like FaceTime. You can choose from dozens of system voices or use a Personal Voice you create.
You can also save phrases and have them spoken out loud, and allow audio from other apps in calls, too.
Note: Live Speech is not available in all languages.
Have what you type spoken out loud
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility and tap Live Speech. Then turn on Live Speech.
Triple-click the side button or Home button (depending on your iPhone model). Tap Live Speech (if the Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).
Tap the Live Speech window, type what you want to have spoken and then tap Speak.
You can also paste copied text into the window, or tap suggested words that appear above the keyboard as you type.
If you’re on a FaceTime call, the other end of the call gets Live Speech. If not, your iPhone outputs Live Speech through its speaker.
Have saved phrases spoken out loud
Live Speech gives you a list of phrases you use often to choose from, and you can sort your phrases into custom categories like school or work.
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility and tap Live Speech. Then turn on Live Speech.
Tap Phrases and then do any of the following:
Create a new category: Tap the Add category button, enter a category name, select an icon, and tap Add Category.
Add a new saved phrase: Tap a category, tap the Add phrase button, enter a phrase, and then tap Save.
Triple-click the side button or Home button (depending on your iPhone model). Tap Live Speech (if the Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).
Tap the Phrases window and then do any of the following:
Speak a phrase from a saved category: Scroll to the left to select a category, then tap a phrase.
Quickly add a new phrase: Tap the Add phrase button in any category, enter a phrase and tap done. Then tap the phrase.
Quickly speak a recently used phrase: Tap Recent and then tap a phrase.
To remove a phrase, swipe left on it, then tap Delete.
Allow audio from other apps in calls
If you use apps that assist with speaking and communication, it can help to make audio from apps audible in voice and video calls.
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility, tap Audio & Visual, and tap Add Audio in Calls.
Turn on Allow Apps to Add Audio in Calls.
With this option on, calls include both audio and microphone input. Muting the microphone silences all audio during a call.
With handwriting mode in VoiceOver, you can enter text by writing characters on the screen with your finger. In addition to typing or dictation, use handwriting mode to enter your iPhone passcode silently or to open apps from the Home Screen.
To use it, you set the rotor to Handwriting. You can also use it to move quickly through a long list.
Here’s how to write with your finger in VoiceOver on iPhone.
Use handwriting mode
Set the rotor to Handwriting.
If Handwriting isn’t in the rotor, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor, then add it.
To choose a character type (lowercase, numbers, uppercase, or punctuation), swipe up or down with three fingers.
To hear the selected character type, tap with three fingers.
Trace a character on the screen with your finger.
You can also do any of the following:
Enter an alternate character (a character with an accent, for example): Write the character and then swipe up or down with two fingers until you hear the character you want.
Enter a space: Swipe right with two fingers.
Go to a new line: Swipe right with three fingers.
Delete the previous character: Swipe left with two fingers.
To exit handwriting mode, do a two-finger scrub (move two fingers back and forth three times quickly, making a “z”), or set the rotor to a different setting.
Enter your passcode silently with handwriting mode
On the passcode screen, set the rotor to Handwriting.
Write the characters of your passcode with your finger.
Select an item on the Home Screen
On the Home Screen, set the rotor to Handwriting.
Start writing the name of the item with your finger.
If there are multiple matches, continue to spell the name until it’s unique, or swipe up or down with two fingers to choose from the current matches.
Quickly navigate a long list
Select the index to the right of the list (for example, next to your Contacts list or in the VoiceOver Item Chooser).
Set the rotor to Handwriting and then use your finger to write the letter you want to go to.
If you’re at risk of speech loss or someone with a speech disability, you can use Personal Voice on iPhone to create a synthesized voice that sounds like you.
You can use your Personal Voice with Live Speech and have what you type spoken out loud during in-person conversations, in Phone and FaceTime calls, and in assistive communication apps. It’s saved securely on your iPhone. To create one, you must first set a passcode.
Note: Personal Voice is available in English (U.S.), Mandarin Chinese (China mainland), and Spanish (Mexico) and is available on iPhone 15 Pro models, iPhone 16 models and later.
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility and then tap Personal Voice.
Tap Create a Personal Voice and then follow the onscreen instructions.
(If you need to pause your recording session, tap Done. To resume, tap the name of your Personal Voice, then tap Continue Recording.)
Turn on Share Across Devices, and your Personal Voice can be used on all of your devices with iCloud. And with Allow Apps to Request to Use turned on, apps can ask to use your Personal Voice.
Note: To see the option to create your Personal Voice, you must first set a passcode. Personal Voice is available on supported iPhone models and is not available in all languages.
Your Personal Voice, Apple says, is saved securely on your iPhone for you to use during Phone and FaceTime calls, in-person conversations, and third-party alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) apps.
Important: Personal Voice can be used only with Live Speech and with third-party apps that you allow, such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps. You can use Personal Voice only to create a voice that sounds like you on device, using your own voice, and for your own personal, noncommercial use.
Your Legacy Contact won’t be able to access your Personal Voice.
Switch Control is an assistive technology for anyone with limited mobility. It enables you to interact with iPhone by activating a switch, such as pressing an external adaptive button, performing a head movement, or making a voiced or voiceless sound. You can even use the iPhone screen itself as a switch, with no extra hardware.
Using one or more switches, you can move a cursor around the screen and use the Scanner menu to choose an action, like tap, zoom in, or zoom out. A switch can be an external hardware device, or even a feature on your iPhone, like Back Tap or simple sounds.
What is a switch?
Your switch might be a feature on your iPhone or an external hardware device.
Switches on iPhone work without any additional hardware, such as:
Screen: Use a tap or long press anywhere on the iPhone screen. You can set up tap and long press as two different switches with separate actions.
Camera: While in view of the front-facing iPhone camera, move your head to the left or right, or pinch your left or right index finger and thumb. You can set up each gesture as a different switch with a separate action.
Back Tap: Double-tap or triple-tap the back of iPhone. You can set up double tap and triple tap as two different switches with separate actions.
Sound: Make simple voiced sounds (such as “Oo”) or voiceless sounds (such as a pop). You can set up each sound as a different switch with a separate action.
AirPods: Nod or shake your head while wearing supported AirPods that are paired with your iPhone. You can set up nod and shake as two different switches with separate actions.
Gaming: Turn any switch into a virtual game controller to play your favorite games on iPhone.
External switches connect to iPhone instead, through Bluetooth® or the Lightning or USB-C connector, and they include:
Adaptive accessory
Joystick
Game controller
MFi switch or switch interface
How does Switch Control work?
Each switch in Switch Control performs a specific action. Move To Next Item, for example, moves the cursor to the next item on the screen. You perform the switch’s action by activating the switch, like making a sound, moving your head, or pressing the adaptive button.
Depending on how you like to work, you can use just one switch or multiple switches for different actions. You might move the cursor from one item to the next with your Move to Next Item switch, for example, then activate your Select Item switch once the cursor highlights the item you want.
With Hover Text on iPhone, you can move the pointer over text and other items on the screen, such as icons, to view a larger version of them. Or use Hover Typing to display a separate window with a larger version of text that you’re typing.
To use Hover Text, you need a pointing device, such as a trackpad or mouse. You can customize both Hover Text and Hover Typing.
Before you begin
Hover Text requires a pointing device, like a trackpad or mouse, connected to your iPhone.
You don’t need to connect a pointing device to use Hover Typing.
Show a larger version of text when you hover over it
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility, tap Hover Text, and then turn on Hover Text.
Move the pointer over text to display a larger version of it.
If you have a connected keyboard, you need to press and hold the Control key to show the Hover Text window.
If you use iPhone with a connected keyboard, you can have the Hover Text window automatically displayed when you move the pointer over text, without needing to press and hold a key every time. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hover Text, then turn on Activation Lock. To use activation lock, quickly press the Control key three times.
You can change the key you press to activate Hover Text and activation lock. Tap Activation Modifier, then choose another key.
Show a larger version of text you’re typing
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility, tap Hover Text, tap Hover Typing, and turn on Hover Typing.
As you type in a text entry field, a larger version of what you’re typing is displayed.
To temporarily hide the Hover Typing window, swipe on it. It reappears when you start typing again.
Customize Hover Text
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility, then tap Hover Text.
Customize any of the following:
Display mode: Choose where to show the Hover Text or Hover Typing window—inline (near the cursor), at the top of the screen, or directly above the onscreen keyboard.
Content: Choose to show Text, Color, or Text & Color.
Scrolling speed: Choose a faster or slower speed (for scrolling in the Hover Text window when viewing large blocks of text).
Font: Choose a custom font.
Size: Adjust the slider to change your preferred reading size.
Text Color: Choose a text color by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Background Color: Choose a background color by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Border color: Choose a border color by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Customize Hover Typing
Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Accessibility and tap Hover Text. Tap Hover Typing.
Customize any of the following:
Display mode: Choose where to show the Hover Text or Hover Typing window—inline (near the cursor), at the top of the screen, or directly above the onscreen keyboard.
Font: Choose a custom font.
Size: Adjust the slider to change your preferred reading size.
Text Color: Choose a text color by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Insertion Point Color: Choose an insertion point color by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Background Color: Choose a background color by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Border color: Choose a border color by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Misspelled Word Color: Choose a color for misspelled words by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
Autocorrected Word Color: Choose a color for autocorrected words by Grid, Spectrum, or Sliders.
You can increase the size of text on your iPhone, make the text bold, choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass, and magnify the entire screen.
Liquid Glass can have more tint or be more clear, though if Reduced Transparency or Increased Contrast is on, you’ll need to turn them off first. And if you want to increase text size further or bump up the contrast, there are more options in Display & Text Size, so it’s easier to read your screen.
Adjust the text size
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Appearance, then tap Text Size.
Drag the slider left or right to change the text size.
Make the text bold
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Appearance, then turn on Bold Text.
Choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Appearance, then tap Liquid Glass.
Drag the slider to the right to increase the tint of Liquid Glass, and to the left to make Liquid Glass more clear.
Note: You can’t change the look for Liquid Glass while Reduced Transparency or Increased Contrast is turned on in Accessibility settings, so turn them off first.
Magnify the entire iPhone screen
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap Appearance and tap Display Zoom. Then tap Larger Text.
Tap the Done button, then tap Use Zoomed.
If you want to increase text size further, bump up the contrast, or make additional adjustments so it’s easier to read your screen, open the Settings app, tap Accessibility, then tap Display & Text Size.
If you can’t see your screen and your content includes audio descriptions, you can listen to an audio description, a separate audio track that narrates or describes the visual content of a clip, show, or movie. You turn on Audio Descriptions in Accessibility settings.
Open Settings, tap Accessibility, and then tap Audio Descriptions.
You can say whatever you want about Apple, but one thing’s for sure; the company is constantly working to make its devices more inclusive. Apple’s hardware and software are incredibly easy to use – additionally, every device has accessibility features to aid those who need extra help. People with visual impairments or even blindness can use an iPhone fairly easily, and so can people who have hearing issues. The best part? Anyone can use these iPhone accessibility features on a day-to-day basis. You can turn on these iPhone accessibility features to make it easier to read things or even become more productive. Continue reading to discover five iPhone accessibility settings to try right now.
Let Your iPhone Alert You of Urgent Sounds
If you’re someone who’s always putting on your AirPods Max, or other noise-canceling headphones, you should give this iPhone accessibility feature a try. Sound Recognition is a feature that makes your iPhone listen for specific noises. That way, if you have trouble hearing or you’re using headphones, your iPhone will give you a notification whenever it hears something urgent like a knock, a doorbell, or a fire alarm.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t rely on Sound Recognition in dangerous situations. It should be used as an aid to hear sounds you can’t. Plus, it’s still far from perfect. Here’s how to use it.
Open Settings.
Tap Accessibility.
Scroll down and tap on Sound Recognition.
Turn on the switch next to Sound Recognition.
Afterward, tap on Sounds and select the sounds you want your iPhone to “hear.”
As you can see, this accessibility feature will need to use some storage on your iPhone. That is because this feature uses on-device intelligence so that you can use it even offline. Plus, you can rest assured Apple itself isn’t constantly listening and recording anything.
Make Your iPhone or iPad Read for You
Podcasts and audiobooks are really popular these days—and for a good reason. Hearing books is the perfect way to multitask and learn at the same time. That being said, audiobooks can be pretty expensive.
Fortunately, Apple users have another way to listen to books. Thanks to an iPhone accessibility settings called Spoken Content, you can make your iPhone or iPad read for you. And not just books, websites, and more work too! Here’s how to use it:
Start the Settings app.
Tap Accessibility.
Tap on Spoken Content.
Turn on Speak Screen and Speak Selection.
Speak Screen makes your iPhone read everything that’s on your screen, whereas Speak Selection will show a Speak button when you select text.
If you’re using Speak Screen, simply swipe down with two fingers from the top of your screen. A small menu will pop up, and your iPhone will start reading whatever is on the screen.
Granted, it’s not the most soothing voice you’ve heard, but it’ll get the job done if you need to read something for school or work.
Control iPhone with Your Voice
Apple has this iPhone accessibility feature called Voice Control, which does what you’d expect. You can give orders and control your iPhone with your voice.
Think of Voice Control as a more accessible and customizable Siri. You can give your iPhone orders, such as opening apps, showing the Control Center, or asking your iPhone for more details on what’s on screen. You can even dictate and edit text.
The best part is that, unlike Siri, this feature works offline, and you can change the language if you need to. You can even create specific commands with whatever words you want to use. To use Voice Control, do the following:
Open Settings.
Tap Accessibility.
Tap on Voice Control.
Select Set up Voice Control.
Tap on Done.
You can also enable Voice Control by asking Siri to turn it on or off, making it easier to use your iPhone if you have your hands full.
Use the Built-in Magnifier App
Isn’t it crazy how some people can just see without glasses? I wonder what that’s like.. Some of us do need to wear glasses, but not everyone likes them. Or, if you’re like me, you probably forget about them every now and then. If that happens to you, you can rely on your iPhone to use it as a magnifying glass.
The Magnifier is an accessibility feature that does what you think; it lets you use the camera on your iPhone as a magnifying glass. You can zoom in or out to see better, and you can even turn your flashlight on or take pictures. Keep in mind any picture you take with the Magnifier won’t be saved on your iPhone. Here’s how to enable Magnifier.
Open Settings.
Tap Accessibility.
Tap on Magnifier.
Toggle Magnifier on.
A new Magnifier app should be added to your Home screen.
After you enable this feature, you can also access the Magnifier app in your App Library or by searching Magnifier on your Spotlight Search. You just need to open the app and use the controls to zoom in on fine print you need to read.
Add Two Buttons to Your iPhone
We’ve previously talked about Back Tap, but it’s such a cool iPhone accessibility feature we needed to remind you it exists.
You can add one or two “buttons” on the back of your iPhone with the Back Tap feature. When enabled, you can tap twice or three times on the back of your iPhone to make it do a specific action, like taking a screenshot or opening the Notification Center.
Keep in mind that you can only use this feature on any iPhone that supports Face ID. It’s because the technology to register your taps isn’t available on iPhones with Touch ID, so this won’t work on any older iPhone or the second-generation iPhone SE.
Start the Settings app.
Tap Accessibility.
Tap on Touch.
Scroll down and tap on Back Tap.
Select Double or Triple Tap and assign an action to them.
Once you’re done, tap twice on three times on the back of your iPhone to test it.
Please note that if you’re using a case, Back Tap won’t work perfectly. This is a fairly new feature, so we should expect Apple to improve it in upcoming software updates.
Conclusion:
Accessibility has long played an integral role in Apple’s major iOS releases, and things are no different in iOS 14. With the ability of VoiceOver to recognise and describe unlabelled elements in apps and websites, a redesigned Magnifier, a new Back Tap gesture, as well as other notable enhancements, blind and vision impaired iPhone users have lots to smile about.
