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accessibility

How to use a braille display with VoiceOver on iPad

by Moses Johnson

With VoiceOver, you can connect a Bluetooth® wireless refreshable braille display and use it to control and navigate iPad and read what’s on the screen. The braille you type on the display is automatically translated into text, and the display shows what you’re typing in context. You can read and type using contracted or uncontracted braille, with support for many international braille tables.

You can also output closed captions in braille during media playback, and use a 2D braille display.

Connect a braille display and learn commands to control iPad

  1. Turn on the braille display.
  2. On iPad, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth, and then choose the display.
  3. On iPad, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, tap Braille, and then choose the display.
  4. To see the braille commands for controlling iPad, tap More Info. Tap Braille Commands.

Change the braille display settings

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

    Setting Description
    Match Input and Output Tables Set the braille display to use the same method for both the input and read output.
    Input and Output Choose the braille table you want to use to type braille input and output. You can choose from tables for additional languages as well as six-dot or eight-dot and contracted or uncontracted braille.
    Braille Screen Input Choose the input method for entering braille using the screen. See Type braille directly on the iPad screen with VoiceOver.
    Braille Tables Add tables to the braille table rotors.
    Braille Access Quickly access braille notes, BRF files, and more using a braille display. See Change the braille display settings.
    Item Overview Adjust the number of cells displayed per item. Press dots 6, 7, and 8 at the same time to turn Item Overview on or off.
    Automatic Translation Turn this option on to automatically translate the braille you type into text soon after you stop typing.
    Status Cells Turn on the general and text status cells and choose their location.
    Equations use Nemeth Code Turn on Nemeth Code for mathematical equations.
    Show Onscreen Keyboard Display the keyboard on the screen.
    Turn Pages when Panning Automatically turn pages when panning.
    Word Wrap Wrap words to the next line.
    Text Formatting Display text formatting attributes like bold and italics.
    Use Underline Cursor Display the cursor as an underline.
    Braille Alert Messages When turned on, your braille display shows an alert message for the specified duration.
    Ignore Chord Duration Adjust the amount of time required before subsequent key presses are recognized as braille chords.
    Auto Advance Duration Adjust this setting to your preferred reading speed.
    Sound Curtain When a braille display is connected to iPad, mute most sounds. Emergency alerts will still play sounds.
    Enable Bluetooth on Start Automatically turn on Bluetooth when you turn on VoiceOver so that braille displays can connect to iPad.

Output closed captions in braille during media playback

  1. On iPad, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap Verbosity.
  2. Choose Braille or Speech and Braille.

Use a 2D braille display

If you use a supported 2D braille display, the rotor switches between different output modes, like one mode for displaying images and another for reading text on multiple lines.

  1. Connect your braille display to iPad.
  2. With VoiceOver turned on, use the Braille Text Mode rotor to switch between output modes. See Control VoiceOver using the rotor.

See also

Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to play background sounds on iPad

by Abigail Shilets

You can have iPad play Background Sounds—such as ocean waves or rain—to help you focus or rest.

You can choose a sound and adjust the volume, use Background Sounds when other media is playing, and adjust the frequency ranges with the equalizer to hear wider frequency ranges with a richer sound. You can also set a timer, or turn off Background Sounds when iPad locks. They’re in Control Center, too.

You can also play ambient music through the Ambient Music widget on your iPad. See Add a widget to your Home Screen.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.

    Tip: Control Background Sounds with the click of a button or from Control Center. See Quickly turn accessibility features on or off.

  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Audio & Visual, tap Background Sounds, and then turn on Background Sounds.
  3. Set any of the following:

    • Choose a sound: Tap a sound. Select the name of a sound.
    • Adjust the volume: Drag the slider to increase or decrease the volume of the background sound.
    • Use Background Sounds when other media is playing: Turn on Use When Media is Playing.
    • Adjust the Background Sounds volume when other media is playing: Drag the Volume with Media slider to increase or decrease the volume of Background Sounds.
    • Adjust the frequency ranges: Tap Equalizer and then turn on Equalizer.

      Adjust the tone: Drag your finger across the grid to select specific frequency ranges. Select Broad to hear wider frequency ranges with a richer sound or select Focused to hear specific frequency ranges with less audio distraction.

      Adjust the sound balance: Drag the Balance slider left or right to adjust the sound balance.

      Note: You’ll see settings for Tone and Balance after you turn on Equalizer.

    • Set a timer: Tap Stop Sound with a Timer and then turn on Timer. Select At a specific time or After an amount of time and then choose an option.

      Tip: Turn on “Always use these settings” if you plan to use the settings you selected in your daily routine—like during downtime or focus time.

    • Turn off Background Sounds when iPad locks: Turn on Stop Sounds When Locked.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to recognize sounds using iPad

by Emily Long

Your iPad can continuously listen for certain sounds—such as a doorbell, siren, or crying baby—and notify you when it recognizes these sounds. With Sound Recognition, iPad can also recognize a custom alarm, appliance, or doorbell you set up, if it isn’t recognized automatically.

Once it’s on, iPad may need a moment to download the available sounds on your device. You can turn Sound Recognition on or off quickly from Control Center, too, and even use iPad as a remote microphone with Live Listen.

Note: Don’t rely on your iPad to recognize sounds in circumstances where you may be harmed or injured, in high-risk or emergency situations, or for navigation.

Set up Sound Recognition

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Sound & Name Recognition, tap Sound Recognition, and turn on Sound Recognition.

    Note: After you turn on Sound Recognition, you may need to wait for iPad to download the available sounds on your device.

  3. Tap Sounds, then turn on the sounds you want iPad to recognize.

Quick tip: Add Sound Recognition to Control Center to quickly turn it on or off.

Add a custom alarm, appliance, or doorbell

When a custom alarm, appliance, or doorbell isn’t recognized automatically, you can set up iPad to recognize it.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Sound & Name Recognition and tap Sound Recognition. Tap Sounds.
  3. Tap Custom Alarm or Custom Appliance or Doorbell and enter a name.
  4. When your alarm, appliance, or doorbell is ready, place iPad near the sound and minimize background noise.
  5. Tap Start Listening, then follow the onscreen instructions.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Sound Recognition
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How to use iPad as a remote microphone with Live Listen

by Stacey Butler

You can stream sound from the microphone on iPad to your MFi hearing devices, AirPods or supported Beats headphones. This can help you hear better in some situations—for example, when having a conversation in a noisy environment.

With iPad near the sound source, sounds around you become louder. During a Live Listen session, you can view Live Captions in real time, go back 10 seconds to catch something you missed, or skip back to the live audio.

Note: Live Captions in Live Listen isn’t available in all languages, countries, or regions. The accuracy of Live Captions may vary and shouldn’t be relied upon in high-risk or emergency situations. To use Live Listen with your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Fit Pro, or Powerbeats Fit, you need an iPad with iPadOS 14.3 or later. To use Live Captions with Live Listen, you need an iPad with iPadOS 26 or later.

Use iPad as a remote microphone with Live Listen

  1. Do one of the following:

  2. To turn on Live Listen, do one of the following:

    • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Live Listen, then tap Start Live Listen.
    • Open Control Center, then tap the Live Listen button.

      If you don’t see the Live Listen button, add it to Control Center. See Customize controls.

    • Open Control Center, tap the Hearing Devices button, tap your hearing device or AirPods, then tap Live Listen.

      If you don’t see the Hearing Devices button, add it to Control Center. See Customize controls.

    • If you’ve set up the Accessibility Shortcut, triple-click the top button or Home button, tap Hearing Devices, then tap Live Listen.
    • If you’re using hearing aids, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices, then turn on Live Listen.
  3. Position iPad near the sound source. Sounds around you will become louder.
  4. In Control Center, tap the Live Listen button and tap Live Listen. Then do any of the following:

    • View Live Captions: View captions of the Live Listen session in real time.
    • Rewind: Tap the Go Back 10 Seconds button to go back to something that may have been missed.
    • Skip forward: Tap the Skip Back to Live button to go back to the live audio.
    • Stop Live Listen: Tap the Live Listen switch button to stop the Live Listen session.

Control a Live Listen session with another nearby device

From another nearby Apple device signed in to the same Apple Account, such as another iPhone or iPad, you’re able to remotely start, stop, or jump back in on a Live Listen session on your iPad. The text appears on that device in real time as your iPad picks up audio, so you can follow along on either one.

To use Live Listen on multiple devices, start a Live Listen session, then start a session on your second device.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to show transcriptions for Intercom messages from HomePod on iPad

by Chris Smith

If members of your home use HomePod for Intercom messages, iPad can transcribe the messages for you. It takes just two settings. Show Audio Transcriptions handles the captions, and the Home app lets you choose when you receive Intercom notifications. You can also get live captions of spoken audio and display subtitles and captions on iPad.

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Subtitles & Captioning, and turn on Show Audio Transcriptions.
  2. In the Home app, tap the More button and tap Home Settings.
  3. Tap Intercom, then choose when you receive notifications.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Home
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How to get live captions of spoken audio on iPad

by Kevin Hollington

With Live Captions on iPad, you can get a real-time transcription of spoken audio. Use Live Captions to more easily follow the audio in any app, such as FaceTime or Podcasts, and in live conversations around you.

You can set it up and customize it, and choose whether to save captions from calls for one minute or one hour.

Here’s how to get live captions of spoken audio on iPad.

Note: Live Captions is available on supported models. Live Captions isn’t available in all languages, countries or regions. The accuracy of Live Captions may vary and shouldn’t be relied upon in high-risk or emergency situations.

Set up and customize Live Captions

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Live Captions. Then turn on Live Captions.
  3. Tap Appearance to customize the text, size, and color of the captions.
  4. Tap Keep Call Captions and then choose an option:

    • 1 Minute: Select 1 Minute to save captions from calls for up to one minute during a call. All call captions are cleared after the call ends. If you select 1 Minute, you won’t be able to copy, take a screenshot, or take a screen recording of the call transcription.
    • 1 Hour: Select 1 Hour to save captions from calls for up to one hour after a call ends. If you select 1 Hour, you’ll be able to copy, take a screenshot, and take a screen recording of the call transcription.

    Note: When you choose 1 Hour, all call participants hear a brief audio announcement (“This call is being transcribed”) at the start of the call. If Live Captions is paused or the Keep Call Captions options is changed from 1 Hour to 1 Minute during a call, all participants hear an audio announcement (“This call is no longer being transcribed”).

Use Live Captions

Once you turn on Live Captions, iPad transcribes the spoken audio in apps, or from dialogue around you, automatically, and then you can do any of the following:

  • Transcribe an in-person conversation: Tap Live Captions, then tap Microphone.
  • Transcribe iPad audio: Tap Live Captions, then tap iPad Audio.
  • Pause the transcription: Tap Live Captions, then tap Pause Listening.
  • Copy the transcription: Tap the More Options button, then tap Copy Captions. You can paste your transcriptions in another app—like in Notes or Messages.
  • Clear the transcription: Tap the More Options button, then tap Clear All.
  • Move the Live Captions window: Drag the Live Captions window to reposition it on the screen.
  • Make the Live Captions window longer or shorter: Drag the bottom of the Live Captions window up or down.
  • Hide the Live Captions window: The Live Captions window is automatically hidden when no audio is detected. If the window is showing, swipe left or right on the window to hide it. To restore the window, tap the Live Captions Collapsed button.
  • Make the transcription window full-screen: Tap the Maximize button. To restore the window to the smaller size, tap the Minimize button.
  • Take a screenshot or screen recording of the transcription: Position the Live Captions window, then take a screenshot or take a screen recording.

Note: Screenshots, screen recordings, and copying transcriptions work during and after a call only if you selected 1 Hour when you set up Live Captions.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Live Captions
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How to display subtitles and captions on iPad

by Chris Smith

iPad can provide subtitles, closed captions, and transcriptions so you can follow along more easily with audio and video. On supported models, you can also get automatic subtitles, including in another language.

In a supported app, subtitles and closed captions can be turned on when they’re available, and you can customize how they look. You can also choose accessible captions, like subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). Subtitles transcribed from spoken audio are labeled in the list of subtitles, too.

Note: Generated subtitles and viewing subtitles in multiple languages is supported on iPadOS 27 or later and is available on iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Generated subtitles are available in English (U.S. and Canada) when the content doesn’t include them.

An iPad showing an example of subtitles with a custom style.

Turn on subtitles and captions in supported apps

If a supported app has subtitles and closed captions for the video content you’re playing, you can turn them on. iPad usually shows standard subtitles and captions. Special accessible captions are another choice when available, including subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH).

Note: You may see subtitles appear automatically in supported apps. Those transcribed from spoken audio are labeled “Transcribed” in the list of subtitles, and those translated into another language are labeled “Translated”.

  1. While playing video content, tap the Legible Options button.
  2. Choose from the list of available subtitles and captions.

Customize the subtitles and captions in supported video apps

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, and then tap Subtitles & Captioning.
  2. If you prefer closed captioning or subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing when available, turn on Closed Captions + SDH.
  3. Tap Style and choose an existing caption style or create a new style based on the following:
    • Font, size, and color
    • Background color and opacity
    • Text opacity, edge style, and highlight

Manage when subtitles automatically appear

In a supported app, subtitles may appear automatically when your iPad is muted, when you skip back a few seconds, or when the video is in another language. The same goes for generated subtitles from videos in Photos and Messages.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Subtitles & Captioning, and tap Automatic Subtitles.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Automatically show subtitles in your preferred language: Turn on When Languages Don’t Match.
    • Automatically turn on subtitles when volume is muted: Turn on Show When Muted.
    • Temporarily turn on subtitles when you skip back in a video: Turn on Show on Skip Back.

View generated subtitles in another language

With on-device translation, iPad can generate subtitles in another language in supported apps. Translation works when a video has English subtitles available. If you’ve added more than one preferred language in Settings, you can see the subtitles translated into one of your other languages.

  1. While playing video content, tap the Captions button.
  2. Tap Languages, then choose the language you’d like to view subtitles in.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to use iPad more comfortably while riding in a vehicle

by Chris Smith

If you experience discomfort when you use iPad while riding as a passenger in a car or other on-road vehicle, you can turn on Vehicle Motion Cues—onscreen cues that may help reduce motion sickness. Vehicle Motion Cues appear as animated dots on the edges of the screen that represent how the vehicle is moving without interfering with what you’re doing on iPad.

You can customize the pattern, color, and visibility of the dots, like using larger dots or more dots.

Note: Vehicle Motion Cues should not be used while operating a moving vehicle and in other situations requiring attention to safety. For important information about avoiding distractions that could lead to dangerous situations, see Important safety information for iPad. Vehicle Motion Cues work best when you’re seated facing forward in the vehicle.

Use iPad more comfortably while riding in a vehicle

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Motion.
  3. Tap Vehicle Motion Cues and then turn on Vehicle Motion Cues.
  4. To show or hide Vehicle Motion Cues, open Control Center and tap the Vehicle Motion Cues button.

    Tip: You can also set up a shortcut to turn Vehicle Motion Cues on or off. See Quickly turn accessibility features on or off.

Customize Vehicle Motion Cues

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Motion.
  3. Tap Vehicle Motion Cues and tap Customize Appearance.
  4. Customize any of the following:
    • Pattern: Select Regular for a stable and predictable pattern, or Dynamic for a more engaging visual experience.
    • Color: Select a color. Color saturation will automatically adjust to maintain contrast with the content behind each dot.
    • Visibility: Select Larger Dots to increase the size of the dots or More Dots to increase the number of dots.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to customize onscreen motion on iPad

by Tyler Stephen

You can turn on Reduce Motion to customize onscreen motion, and with it off, you’ll see even more motion, including the fluid morphing effects of Liquid Glass. Turning on Vehicle Motion Cues adds animated dots to the edges of the screen, which may help reduce motion sickness. It’s also possible to customize how some elements on the screen move, such as:

  • Motion effects for wallpaper, apps, and alerts
  • Screen transitions
  • Siri animations
  • Typing autocompletion
  • Animated full-screen and bubble effects in the Messages app
  • Animated images on the web and in apps

Customize onscreen motion

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Motion.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Reduce Motion: Turn on. (When off, you’ll see more motion, like the fluid morphing effects of Liquid Glass.)
    • Vehicle Motion Cues: Turn on. You can also customize the appearance of the cues including the pattern, color, and visibility. (When on, animated dots appear on the edges of the screen and may help reduce motion sickness.)
    • Auto-Play Animated Images: Turn off. (When on, rapid animated images and moving elements such as GIFs in Messages and Safari play automatically.)
    • Auto-Play Video Previews: Turn off. (When on, it allows apps such as the App Store to automatically play video previews.)
    • Auto-Play Message Effects: Turn off. (When on, the Messages app automatically plays full-screen effects. If you turn this setting off, you can still manually play effects by tapping Replay below the message bubble.)
    • Prefer Non-Blinking Cursor: Turn on. (Stop the blinking of the vertical bar that appears at the insertion point where you’re typing. If you use a braille display with iPad, the cursor indicator on the display also stops blinking.)
    • Limit Frame Rate: Turn on. (On models with ProMotion display technology, this limits the maximum frame rate of the display to 60 frames per second.)

Reduce flashing and strobing lights in videos

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Display & Text Size.
  3. Turn on Dim Flashing Lights.

Reduce bright effects of onscreen elements

You can reduce highlighting and flashing effects that may appear when interacting with certain onscreen elements, like the keyboard.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Display & Text Size.
  3. Turn on Reduce Bright Effects.

To apply some of these effects to specific apps, read our guide, Customize visual accessibility settings for specific apps.

Important: Your iPad uses an on-device algorithm to detect flashing or strobing lights included in supported media and automatically dims them on your iPad in real time. Motion settings should not be relied upon in high-risk situations, or for the treatment of any medical condition.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to control Live Listen on iPhone from Apple Watch

by Tyler Stephen

With Live Listen, you can stream sound from the microphone on iPhone to your MFi hearing devices or AirPods. This can help you hear better in some situations—for example, when having a conversation in a noisy environment.

And you don’t have to reach for your phone to control it. When you use Live Listen on your iPhone, you can remotely start, stop, or jump back in the session from your nearby paired Apple Watch. With Live Captions generated on your iPhone, you can also view the transcription of the conversation directly on your wrist, with the text appearing on your Apple Watch screen in real time as your iPhone picks up audio.

It’s especially helpful when you want to discreetly read conversations or need visual reinforcement of audio content, whether you’re in a noisy restaurant, attending a lecture, or simply prefer reading along, or when it’s hard to hear clearly.

Note: Live Captions isn’t available in all languages, countries, or regions. The accuracy of Live Captions may vary and shouldn’t be relied upon in high-risk or emergency situations.

Set up Apple Watch as a remote control for Live Listen

Starting Live Listen requires turning on Remote Control and adding the Hearing Controls to Control Center on Apple Watch first.

Note: You need your iPhone and Apple Watch signed in to the same Apple Account.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Audio & Visual and tap Live Listen. Turn on Remote Control.
  3. On your Apple Watch, press the side button to open Control Center.
  4. Scroll to the bottom and tap Edit. Tap the Add button.
  5. Tap Accessibility and then tap the Hearing Controls button to add the Hearing Controls to Control Center.

Use Apple Watch as a remote control for Live Listen

From Apple Watch, you can start a new session or control one that’s already in progress.

  1. Position your iPhone near the sound source.
  2. Press the side button to open Control Center and tap the Hearing Controls button.
  3. In the Hearing Devices window, scroll down to Live Listen.
  4. Do any of the following:
    • Start a session: Turn on Live Listen.
    • Rewind: Tap Go back 10 seconds.
    • Return to the live audio stream: Tap Skip back to live.
    • View the live transcription: Tap Live Listen Captions.
    • Stop the session: Turn off Live Listen.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Control Center
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