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accessibility

How to adjust how iPad responds to your touch

by Dave Johnson

If you have difficulties with hand tremors, dexterity, or fine motor control, you can adjust how the iPad touchscreen responds to tap, swipe, and touch-and-hold gestures. You can have iPad recognize faster or slower touches and ignore multiple touches.

You can also prevent iPad from waking when you touch the screen, or turn off Shake to Undo if you unintentionally shake iPad. After you set up Touch Accommodations, you see a personalized list of options, like Hold Duration and Tap Assistance.

Set up and adjust Touch Accommodations

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Touch. Then tap Touch Accommodations.
  3. Tap Set up Touch Accommodations. Then follow the onscreen instructions.

    After you complete setup, you’ll see a personalized list of Touch Accommodations—like Hold Duration or Tap Assistance—that you can turn on.

  4. You can adjust any of your Touch Accommodations after setup. Tap Settings, then adjust any of the following:

    • Respond to longer or shorter touches: Turn on Hold Duration. Then tap the Decrement button or the Increment button to adjust the duration.

      Note: When you turn on Hold Duration, taps and swipes within the duration are ignored. You can turn on Swipe Gestures to make swiping easier when Hold Duration is on.

    • Make swiping easier while Hold Duration is on: Turn on Hold Duration, then tap Swipe Gestures. Turn on Swipe Gestures, then choose the required movement before a swipe gesture begins.
    • Treat multiple touches as a single touch: Turn on Ignore Repeat. Then tap the Decrement button or the Increment button to adjust the amount of time allowed between multiple touches.
    • Respond to the first or last place you touch: Under Tap Assistance, choose Use Initial Touch Location or Use Final Touch Location.

      If you choose Use Initial Touch Location, iPad 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, iPad registers the tap where you lift your finger. iPad responds to a tap when you lift your finger within a certain period of time. Tap the Decrement button or the Increment button under Tap Assistance Gesture Delay to adjust the timing. Your iPad can respond to other gestures, such as a drag gesture, if you wait longer than the gesture delay.

      Note: When you turn on Tap Assistance, taps and swipes within the duration are ignored. You can turn on Swipe Gestures to make swiping easier when Hold Duration is on.

    • Make swiping easier while Tap Assistance is on: Choose either Use Initial Touch Location or Use Final Touch Location. Then tap Swipe Gestures. Turn on Swipe Gestures. Then choose the required movement needed before a swipe gesture begins.

You can recalibrate or reset Touch Accommodations at any time.

Adjust settings for touch-and-hold gestures

You can use the touch-and-hold gesture to see additional options or actions you can perform, or to get a preview of content. If you have trouble performing this gesture, do the following:

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Touch. Then tap Haptic Touch.
  3. Choose the touch duration—Fast or Slow.
  4. Test your new settings on the image at the bottom of the screen.

Recalibrate or reset Touch Accommodations

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Touch. Then tap Touch Accommodations.
  3. Do either of the following:
    • Recalibrate your Touch Accommodations: Tap Recalibrate Touch Accommodations.
    • Reset your Touch Accommodations: Tap Reset Touch Accommodations.

Turn off Tap to Wake

On a supported iPad model, you can prevent touches on the screen from waking iPad.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Touch, and then turn off Tap to Wake.

Turn off Shake to Undo

If you tend to unintentionally shake iPad, you can turn off Shake to Undo.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Touch. Then turn off Shake to Undo.

Quick tip: To undo text edits, swipe left with three fingers.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to type to speak using Live Speech on iPad

by Dave Johnson

If you’re unable to speak or have lost your speech over time, you can use Live Speech on iPad 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.

On a FaceTime call, the other person hears Live Speech on their end. You can also save phrases you use often, and add them to custom categories like school or work.

Note: Live Speech isn’t available in all languages.

Have what you type spoken out loud

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Live Speech. Then turn on Live Speech.
  3. Triple-click the top button or Home button (depending on your iPad model) and tap Live Speech (if the Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).
  4. 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.

Live Speech is output on the other end of the call if you’re on a FaceTime call. Otherwise, your iPad’s speaker outputs Live Speech.

Have saved phrases spoken out loud

Live Speech keeps a list of phrases you use often to select from. Your phrases can go into custom categories like school or work, too.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Live Speech. Then turn on Live Speech.
  3. 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 then tap Add Category.
    • Add a new saved phrase: Tap a category, tap the Add Phrase button, enter a phrase, and then tap Save.
  4. Triple-click the top button or Home button (depending on your iPad model). Then tap Live Speech (if the Accessibility Shortcut is set up with more than one feature).
  5. 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, tap Done, and 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

Allowing audio from apps to be audible in voice and video calls is helpful when you use apps that assist with speaking and communication.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Audio & Visual, and tap Add Audio in Calls.
  3. Turn on Allow Apps to Add Audio in Calls.

    When this option is on, both audio and microphone input are included in calls. To silence all audio during a call, mute the microphone.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to use the onscreen keyboard with VoiceOver on iPad

by Chris Smith

VoiceOver changes how you use the onscreen keyboard when you activate an editable text field. You can enter, select, and delete text; change the keyboard language; and more.

There are a few typing styles, like standard typing and touch typing, and VoiceOver speaks each key as you select it and again when you enter the character. You can also edit text with the onscreen keyboard, and change the keyboard settings.

Enter text with the onscreen keyboard

  1. Select a text field, then double-tap.

    The insertion point and the onscreen keyboard appear.

  2. To enter text, do one of the following:

    • Standard typing: Select a key by swiping left or right on the keyboard and then double-tap to enter the character. Or move your finger around the keyboard to select a key and, while continuing to touch the key with one finger, tap the screen with another finger. VoiceOver speaks the key when it’s selected, and again when the character is entered.
    • Touch typing: Touch a key on the keyboard to select it and then lift your finger to enter the character. If you touch the wrong key, slide your finger to the key you want. VoiceOver speaks the character for each key as you touch it, but doesn’t enter a character until you lift your finger.
    • Direct Touch typing: VoiceOver is disabled for the keyboard only, so you can type just as you do when VoiceOver is off.
    • Dictation: Use a two-finger double tap on the keyboard to start and stop dictation.

To enter an accented character, do one of the following:

  • Standard typing: Select the plain character, then double-tap and hold until you hear a tone indicating alternate characters have appeared. Drag left or right to select and hear the choices. Release your finger to enter the current selection.
  • Touch typing: Touch and hold a character until the alternate characters appear.

Edit text with the onscreen keyboard

  • Move the insertion point: Use the rotor to choose whether you want to move the insertion point by character, by word, or by line. Swipe up or down to move the insertion point forward or backward in the text. To jump to the beginning or end, double-tap the text.

    VoiceOver makes a sound when the insertion point moves, and speaks the character, word, or line that the insertion point moves across. When moving forward by words, the insertion point is placed at the end of each word, after the space or punctuation that follows. When moving backward, the insertion point is placed before the first character of the word.

  • Move the insertion point past the punctuation at the end of a word or sentence: Use the rotor to switch back to character mode.

    When moving the insertion point by line, VoiceOver speaks each line as you move across it. When moving forward, the insertion point is placed at the end of the next line. When moving backward, the insertion point is placed at the beginning of the line that’s spoken.

  • Delete a character: Use the Delete key.
  • Select text: Do any of the following:

    • Set the rotor to Text Selection, swipe up or down to choose Character, Word, Line, or Sentence, then swipe left or right to move backward or forward. (You may need to enable Text Selection—go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor.)
    • Set the rotor to Edit, swipe up or down to choose Select or Select All, then double-tap. If you choose Select, the word closest to the insertion point is selected when you double-tap. To increase or decrease the selection, do a two-finger scrub (move two fingers back and forth three times quickly, making a “z”) to dismiss the pop-up menu, then pinch.
  • Cut, copy, or paste: Set the rotor to Edit, select the text, swipe up or down to choose Cut, Copy, or Paste, then double-tap.
  • Fix misspelled words: Set the rotor to Misspelled Words, then swipe up or down to jump to the previous or next misspelled word. Swipe left or right to choose a suggested replacement, then double-tap to use the replacement.
  • Undo: Shake iPad, swipe left or right to choose the action to undo, then double-tap.

Change the keyboard settings

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, and then tap VoiceOver.
  2. Tap any of the following:
    • Typing Style: You can choose a new style. Or, set the rotor to Typing Mode and then swipe up or down.
    • Phonetic Feedback: Speak text character by character. VoiceOver first speaks the character, then its phonetic equivalent—for example, “f” and then “foxtrot.”
    • Typing Feedback: Choose to speak characters, words, both, or nothing.
    • Verbosity: Tap Deleting Text. To have VoiceOver speak deleted characters in a lower pitch, tap Change Pitch.

See also

Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to use VoiceOver in apps on iPad

by Dave Johnson

You can use VoiceOver in all the built-in apps that come with your iPad—such as Safari, Maps, and more. And VoiceOver Recognition can describe images and screen elements on webpages and in apps, even ones that don’t provide accessibility information.

You can browse the web in Safari, read PDFs, take photos and videos, and trim voice memo recordings. VoiceOver can also let you hear visual Weather data as sound and read math equations.

Browse the web in Safari

  1. With VoiceOver on, go to the Safari app on your iPad.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • Search the web: Select the address field, double-tap to show the keyboard. Then enter a search term, phrase, or URL. Double-tap Go, or select a search suggestion, then double-tap.
    • Skip to the next element on a webpage: Set the rotor to the element type—such as headings, links, and form controls—then swipe up or down.
    • Set the rotor settings for web browsing: Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap Rotor. Select or deselect items, or drag the Reorder button up or down to reposition an item.
    • Skip images while navigating: Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap Navigate Images. You can choose to skip all images or only those without descriptions.
    • Reduce page clutter for easier reading and navigation: In the Safari address field, select the Format Options button, double-tap, select Show Reader View (not available for all webpages), and then double-tap.

Quick tip: When you use an Apple external keyboard with iPad, it’s possible to use single-key Quick Nav for web browsing.

Navigate in Maps

  1. With VoiceOver on, go to the Maps app on your iPad.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • Control how the map tracks your current location: Select the Tracking button and then double-tap until you hear the tracking option you want.
      • Tracking on: The map automatically centers on your current location.
      • Tracking on with heading: The map automatically centers on your current location and rotates so that the heading you’re facing is at the top of the screen. In this mode, iPad speaks street names and points of interest as you approach them.
      • Tracking off: The map doesn’t automatically center on your current location.
    • Explore the map: Drag your finger around the screen, or swipe left or right to move to another item.
    • Zoom in or out: Select the map, set the rotor to Zoom. Swipe up or down with one finger.
    • Pan the map: Select the map, then swipe with three fingers.
    • Browse locations and pins on the map: Select the map, set the rotor to Points of Interest and then swipe up or down with one finger.
    • Follow a road: Hold your finger down on the road, wait until you hear “pause to follow” and then move your finger along the road.
    • Get information about a location: Select the location (for example, a business, landmark, or pin). Then double-tap to open the information card. Swipe left or right to hear information such as directions, street address, phone number, business hours, and customer reviews.
    • Get guidance to the starting point: When you start walking directions in Maps, iPad guides you in the direction of the starting point using sound.
    • Get a description of the map: Tap the screen with three fingers to get information about nearby places, including directions and distances.

Read PDFs

VoiceOver reads PDFs in the Books and Files apps, even describing detailed information such as forms, tables, and lists.

Take photos and videos

  1. With VoiceOver on, go to the Camera app on your iPad. VoiceOver describes objects in the viewfinder.
  2. Select Camera Mode and swipe up or down with one finger to switch between modes, like Photo or Video.
  3. To take a photo or start or stop recording a video, double-tap the screen with two fingers.

Trim voice memo recordings

In the Voice Memos app, you can use VoiceOver to edit recordings.

  1. With VoiceOver on, open the Voice Memos app on your iPad.
  2. Select the recording you want to trim, then double-tap.
  3. Select Edit at the top right and then double-tap.
  4. Select the Edit button, then double-tap.
  5. Select the Trim button, then double-tap.
  6. In the Waveform Overview, select Trim Beginning or Trim End, double-tap and hold. Then swipe up or down to adjust the start or end time.
  7. Select Trim, then double-tap.
  8. Select Save and then double-tap.
  9. Select Done, then double-tap.

Hear visual Weather data as sound

In the Weather app, some maps are encoded so you can hear the data as a changing tone or pitch. As the intensity of a weather condition changes in a visual animation on screen, for example, variations in sound can describe those changes.

  1. With VoiceOver on, open the Weather app on your iPad.
  2. Open a location page with a precipitation, wind, or air quality map.
  3. Double-tap and hold the map until you hear a tone or the words “Weather Map Snapshot.” If you hear spoken instructions, follow them.

    As you run your finger or pointer over a sonified map, the pitch shifts to represent the changing values.

Read math equations

Math equations are readable by VoiceOver in supported Apple apps such as Keynote and Numbers, and on the web when they’re encoded using MathML.

  • Hear an equation: Have VoiceOver read the text as usual. VoiceOver says “math” before it starts reading an equation.
  • Explore the equation: Double-tap the selected equation to display it in full screen and move through it one element at a time. Swipe left or right to read elements of the equation. Use the rotor to select Symbols, Small Expressions, Medium Expressions, or Large Expressions, then swipe up or down to hear the next element of that size. To drill down into the selected element, double-tap it, then swipe left or right to read one part of the element at a time.

VoiceOver can also output the equations it speaks to a braille device, using Nemeth Code or the codes for Unified English Braille, British English, French, and Greek. Read our guide, Use a braille display with VoiceOver.

Use VoiceOver Recognition

Images and screen elements on webpages and in apps get descriptions from VoiceOver Recognition, even if they don’t provide accessibility information.

Important: VoiceOver Recognition should not be relied upon in circumstances where you could be harmed or injured, in high-risk situations, for navigation, or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap VoiceOver Recognition.
  2. Turn on any of the following:
    • Image Descriptions: Get descriptions of images in apps and on the web.
    • Screen Recognition: Get descriptions of screen elements in apps.
    • Text Recognition: Get descriptions of text found in images.
  3. Tap Feedback Style. Choose Speak, Play Sound, or Do Nothing.

See also

Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to adjust audio settings on iPad

by Dave Johnson

You can use mono audio, adjust left-right stereo balance, and—with supported headphones—amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies to best suit your hearing needs.

With Mono Audio on, the left and right speakers play the same content. Stereo Audio Balance lets the sound lean toward the left or right. And with Headphone Accommodations on supported Apple and Beats headphones, you can make soft sounds louder and make dialogue in videos sound clearer.

Balance the audio

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Audio & Visual.
  3. Adjust any of the following:
    • Mono Audio: Turn on Mono Audio to make the left and right speakers play the same content.
    • Stereo Audio Balance: Drag the Balance slider left or right.

Adjust certain frequencies and soft sounds

On supported Apple and Beats headphones, Headphone Accommodations lets you tune certain sounds to best suit your hearing. You can boost some frequencies and make soft sounds louder, so phone calls and media come through crisper and clearer.

  1. Make sure you’re in a quiet environment and that you’ve paired your AirPods or paired other supported Bluetooth® headphones.
  2. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  3. Tap Accessibility, then tap Audio & Visual.
  4. Tap Headphone Accommodations and turn on Headphone Accommodations.
  5. Adjust any of the following:
    • Frequencies: Below Audio Tuning, choose an option to boost different frequencies.
    • Soft sounds: Drag the slider to set an amplification level for soft sounds.
  6. Scroll down and then do any of the following:
    • Turn on Phone to apply the settings to phone calls.
    • Turn on Media to apply the settings to media playback like music, movies, and podcasts.
    • Turn on Transparency to apply the settings to transparency mode, if you’re using an AirPods model with Transparency mode.

With some supported headphones, you can use Headphone Accommodations to personalize your audio based on what sounds good to you. You can use an audiogram to help customize your audio, and depending on your country or region, you may see the option to customize your transparency settings. Tap Customize Audio, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Quick tip: For quick access to Headphone Accommodations, tap its button in Control Center. If the button’s missing, add it by tapping the Add button, then tap Add a Control, scroll down to Hearing Accessibility, and tap Headphone Accommodations.

Make dialogue sound clearer in videos

Turning on voice isolation for supported video content makes the dialogue easier to hear. As people speak, their voices are isolated, and all other audio is substantially reduced.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Audio & Visual.
  3. Turn on Add Voice Isolation.
  4. While watching a supported video in the Apple TV app, tap the Audio Track button.
  5. Tap Enhance Dialogue and then tap Enhance or Enhance More.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to set up and turn on Switch Control on iPad

by Emily Long

To set up Switch Control, you need to connect and add one or more switches, then assign an action to each switch. You can choose a scanning style and fine-tune other settings to suit your needs. You can use only one switch, or multiple switches for different actions, like selecting an item or moving the cursor to the next item.

After you turn it on, you may need to change the assigned actions or readjust the settings. If you have difficulty with these steps, you can get personalized help at your nearest Apple Store.

Step 1: Connect an external switch (optional)

To use a joystick, game controller, adaptive accessory, or MFi device for Switch Control, first connect it to iPad using the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll also need to pair a Bluetooth® switch with iPad.

You can also add nonexternal switches, like sounds or AirPod Gestures. For details, see Step 2: Add switches, recipes, and switch sets.

  1. Turn on the switch.
  2. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth, tap the name of the switch, and then follow the onscreen instructions.

Step 2: Add switches, recipes, and switch sets

A single switch works, or you can use multiple switches to accommodate different actions, with each switch performing an assigned action, such as selecting an item or advancing the cursor to the next item.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility and tap Switch Control. Then tap Switches.
  3. Tap Add New Switch. Choose External, Screen, Camera, Back Tap, Sound, or AirPod Gestures.

    If you’re trying to add an external switch but it isn’t shown in the list, make sure it’s connected to your iPad as described above in Step 1: Connect an external switch (optional).

  4. Assign an action to the switch.

    The action for the switch depends on the number of switches you have and the scanning style you choose in Step 3: Choose a scanning style, below. If you don’t know which action to assign, choose Select Item, which is compatible with Auto Scanning (the default scanning style). You can return to this setting later to change the assigned action.

    Tip: Turn your iPad into a game controller that uses gestures you’ve already set up, like the same switch (or alternative input method) that you navigate and control your iPad with.

    You can also assign recipes—a set of temporary, specialized actions—to your switches. Use recipes for repetitive, complex actions in apps such as turning pages in the Books app. To create a recipe, go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Recipes.

    If you have multiple sets of switches or recipes that you switch between, you can create a Switch Set for your settings. To create a profile, go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switch Sets > Add New Switch Set.

Step 3: Choose a scanning style

After a specified duration, the cursor automatically moves to the next item by default. To move the cursor manually instead, choose a different scanning style.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Scanning Style, then choose one of the following:

  • Auto Scanning: The cursor automatically moves to the next item after a specified duration. This is the default scanning style.

    If you use Auto Scanning with just one switch, make sure the Select Item action is assigned to the switch.

  • Manual Scanning: When you activate your Move to Next Item switch, the cursor moves to the next item.

    Manual Scanning requires at least two switches. Make sure the Move to Next Item action is assigned to one switch, and the Select Item action is assigned to another switch.

  • Single Switch Step Scanning: When you activate the Move to Next Item switch, the cursor moves to the next item; if no action is taken within a specified duration, the current item is automatically selected.

    This scanning style requires only one switch. Make sure the Move to Next Item action is assigned to the switch.

Step 4: Fine-tune Switch Control settings

The behavior of Switch Control can be adjusted in many ways to suit your specific needs and style. For instance, you might change the scanning speed or have iPad speak the highlighted items.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control, then adjust any of the following:

  • Auto Scanning Time: Adjust the item scanning speed.
  • Pause on First Item: Set scanning to pause on the first item in a group.
  • Loops: Choose how many times to cycle through the screen before hiding Switch Control.
  • Move Repeat: Set the delay before moving to the previous or next item while a switch is pressed.
  • Long Press: Set whether a different action occurs when you press and hold a switch, and how long to wait before performing that action.
  • Tap Behavior: Choose a tap behavior and set the interval for performing a second switch action to show the Scanner menu.
  • Focused Item After Tap: Choose whether Switch Control resumes scanning at an item you tap or from the beginning.
  • Scan Same Key After Tap: Turn on scanning the same key after tapping.
  • Always Tap Keyboard Keys: Turn on always tapping keyboard keys.
  • Extended Predictions: Turn on extended predictions.
  • Hold Duration: Specify how long you need to press and hold a switch before it’s accepted as a switch action.
  • Ignore Repeat: Ignore accidental repeated switch triggers.
  • Sound Effects: Turn on sound effects.
  • Speech: Speak items as they’re scanned.
  • Menu Items: Choose the actions shown in the Scanner menu and the order in which they appear.
  • Group Items: Group items for faster navigation.
  • Large Cursor: Make the highlight more prominent.
  • Cursor Color: Choose a different highlight color.
  • Saved Gestures: Create a custom gesture.
  • Confirm with Switch Control: Turn on Confirm with Switch Control to confirm payments with your passcode or any time double-clicking the top button is required.

Step 5: Turn on Switch Control

Important: When Switch Control is turned on, you can’t use the standard gestures on the touchscreen to exit Switch Control.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control, then turn on Switch Control.

Quick tip: Add Switch Control to Accessibility Shortcut, and you can turn it on or off quickly by triple-clicking the Home button (on iPad models with a Home button) or the top button (on other models of iPad).

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to control several devices with one switch on iPad

by Chris Smith

You can remotely control your other Apple devices without adjusting any switch connections. With Platform Switching, you can navigate your iPhone, Apple TV 4K, or Mac using the same switch that controls your iPad, as long as they’re on the same Wi-Fi network and signed in with the same Apple Account.

Switch Control needs to be turned on for your iPad and for the others: iPhone, Apple TV 4K, or Mac. And you can remove control from your iPad on the connected device.

  1. Connect your devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Sign in with the same Apple Account on all your devices.
  3. Set up and turn on Switch Control on iPad. Then turn on Switch Control for the others: iPhone, Apple TV 4K, or Mac.
  4. Use the switch to open the Scanner menu.
  5. Choose Device, choose Use Other Device, and then choose Connect.

To remove control from your iPad, choose Devices on the connected device, then choose Disconnect.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to use Switch Control on iPad to select items, perform actions, and more

by Moses Johnson

You can use Switch Control on iPad to select items, perform actions, and more. You can use item mode to select items and perform actions, or use the gliding cursor, head tracking, or eye tracking to control the cursor on the screen.

Once you set up and turn on Switch Control, select items on the screen by doing any of the following:

  • Item mode: The cursor sequentially highlights items or groups of items. This is the default method when you first turn on Switch Control and whenever the Scanner menu appears.
  • Gliding cursor: You select a point on the screen using scanning crosshairs. This method is useful when you need to select a specific point, such as in Maps, or on a screen with many items.
  • Head tracking: On supported models, you can move your head (detected by the front-facing camera) to control the cursor on the screen.
  • Eye tracking: You can move your eyes (detected by the front-facing camera) to control the cursor on the screen.

When the cursor is on the item you want, the Scanner menu opens to show the available actions such as tap, scroll, control the volume, and more.

Use item mode to select items and perform actions

  1. Depending on the scanning style you’re using, do one of the following:
    • If using Auto Scanning: Watch or listen as groups of items are sequentially highlighted.
    • If using Manual Scanning: Activate your Move to Next Item switch to navigate through the groups of items on the screen.
    • If using Single Switch Step Scanning: Activate your Move to Next Item switch to navigate through the groups of items on the screen.
  2. When the group you want is highlighted, do one of the following:
    • If using Auto Scanning: Activate your Select Item switch.
    • If using Manual Scanning: Activate your Select Item switch.
    • If using Single Switch Step Scanning: Wait until the current group is automatically selected.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to scan and select an item within the group.
  4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to scan and choose an action in the Scanner menu. The dots at the bottom of the menu provide more options.

You can dismiss the Scanner menu without choosing an action by activating your Select Item switch while the original item is highlighted and the menu’s icons are all dimmed.

Use the Gliding Cursor to select a point

Switch Control starts in item mode by default, though you’re free to use the Gliding Cursor instead.

  1. Do either of the following:

    • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switch Control Mode, then select Gliding Cursor.
    • Use item mode to select any item, then choose Gliding Cursor (in the Scanner menu).

      Note: If you change Switch Control Mode settings while Switch Control is turned on, you’ll need to restart Switch Control to apply your changes.

  2. To position the vertical crosshair, activate your Select Item switch when the wide vertical band is over the item you want.
  3. Activate your Select Item switch again when the fine vertical line is over the item.
  4. To position the horizontal crosshair, activate your Select Item switch when the wide horizontal band is over the item you want.
  5. Activate your Select Item switch again when the fine horizontal line is over the item.
  6. In the Scanner menu, select the action you want and then activate your Select Item switch.

To return to item mode, open the Scanner menu, then choose Item Mode.

Set up Head Tracking

If your iPad has Face ID, moving your head can control a cursor on the screen. Facial expressions like a smile or raised eyebrows can trigger actions you assign, too.

If you’d like to set up Head Tracking, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switches, then make sure you’ve set up switches.
  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Head Tracking, turn on Head Tracking, then set any of these options:
    • Assign actions to facial expressions: Each expression can perform a different action and require a different degree of expressiveness.
    • Choose how the pointer tracks your head movement: Tap Tracking Mode. Then choose With Face, When Facing Screen Edges, or Relative to Head.
    • Adjust the pointer speed: Tap the Decrement button or the Increment button.

Use Head Tracking

  1. Do either of the following:

    • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switch Control Mode, then select Head Tracking.
    • Use item mode to select any item, then choose Head Tracking (in the Scanner menu).

      Note: If you change Switch Control Mode settings while Switch Control is turned on, you’ll need to restart Switch Control to apply your changes.

  2. Move your head to position the cursor on the location you want and then activate it using your Select Item switch or facial expression.
  3. In the Scanner menu, select the action you want. Activate your Select Item switch or facial expression.

To return to item mode, open the Scanner menu, then choose Item Mode.

Set up Eye Tracking

Your eyes can control a cursor on the screen as you move them. With Dwell Control, you can perform actions by keeping your gaze steady for a set amount of time.

Here’s how to set up Eye Tracking:

  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switches, then make sure you’ve set up switches.
  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Eye Tracking, turn on Face Guidance.
  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Eye Tracking > Dwell Control, choose a switch action, then set any of these Dwell Options:
    • Dwell Timeout: Tap the Decrement button or the Increment button.
    • Movement Tolerance: Drag the slider to set the distance you can move while dwelling on an item.

Use Eye Tracking

  1. Do either of the following:

    • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switch Control Mode, then select Eye Tracking.
    • Use item mode to select any item, then choose Eye Tracking (in the Scanner menu).

      Note: If you change Switch Control Mode settings while Switch Control is turned on, you’ll need to restart Switch Control to apply your changes.

  2. Move your eyes to position the cursor on the location you want. Activate it using your Select Item switch.
  3. In the Scanner menu, select the action you want and then activate your Select Item switch.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to use accessibility features during iPad setup

by Stacey Butler

iPad has accessibility features that you can turn on the first time you turn on your iPad, to make it easier to set up and personalize other iPad features. VoiceOver, a gesture-based screen reader, tells you what’s happening onscreen, and you can zoom in on part of the screen or turn on other features during setup.

Hear what’s onscreen with VoiceOver

VoiceOver—a gesture-based screen reader—tells you what’s happening onscreen.

  1. After iPad is turned on, triple-click the top button (on an iPad with Face ID) or triple-click the Home button (on other iPad models) to turn on VoiceOver.
  2. Do any of the following and more:
    • Speak the entire screen: Swipe up with two fingers.
    • Find out what you’re touching: Touch the screen or drag your finger over it. VoiceOver speaks the name of the item your finger is on, including icons and text. Swipe right to select the next item. Tap with four fingers near the top to select the first item on the screen.
    • Select an item: Tap to select a button or link, and activate it by double-tapping.
    • Scroll to another page: Swipe with three fingers.
    • Open the onscreen rotor: Turn two fingers on the screen, as if rotating a dial. See Control VoiceOver using the rotor.

Note: Basic gestures don’t work as usual when VoiceOver is on, so see our article, Use VoiceOver gestures, and our guide, Operate iPad when VoiceOver is on.

In VoiceOver settings, you can change the language, voice, speaking rate, audio options, how much detail VoiceOver provides, and more.

Zoom in on part of the screen

  1. Double-tap the screen with three fingers and then use the slider to set a magnification level.
  2. Use three fingers to scroll around the zoomed-in screen.

To magnify the screen, see our guide, Zoom in on the iPad screen.

Turn on other features during setup

You can turn on additional accessibility features from the Quick Start screen.

Tap the Accessibility Options button to turn on or adjust settings for any of the following:

If you’ve set up accessibility features on an iPhone or iPad that’s nearby, you can transfer your settings to your new iPad with Quick Start—just follow the onscreen instructions. See Turn on and set up iPad. (See Move from an Android device to iPad if your previous device wasn’t made by Apple.)

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to control iPad with the movement of your head

by Chris Smith

With Head Tracking, you can control iPad using just your head. An onscreen pointer follows the movement of your head, and when you hold your head steady on an item—or dwell—you perform an action, such as a tap.

It uses the built-in, front-facing camera, so the camera needs a clear view of your face. You can also set options for Head Tracking.

Here’s how to control iPad with the movement of your head.

Note: Head Tracking is available on iPadOS 26 and later.

Before you begin

Head Tracking relies on the built-in, front-facing camera on iPad. Results are best when your face is adequately lit and the camera has a clear view of it, with iPad on a stable surface roughly 18 inches from your face.

Turn on Head Tracking

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Accessibility, tap Head Tracking, and turn on Head Tracking.

Use Head Tracking

With Head Tracking on, an onscreen pointer follows the movement of your head. Point your head toward an item on the screen, and an outline appears around it. Wherever you’re facing, the pointer always moves with your head, and it moves faster when you do.

When you hold your head steady at a location on the screen, the dwell pointer appears where you’re looking and the dwell timer begins (the dwell pointer circle starts to fill). When the dwell timer finishes, an action—tap, by default—is performed.

For additional onscreen gestures or physical button presses, open the AssistiveTouch menu. See our article, Use AssistiveTouch.

Set options for Head Tracking

You can customize actions like a Single-Tap or Double Tap to different facial movements, like smiling, blinking, or scrunching your nose. You can also set options for how the Head Tracking pointer responds to your head’s movement.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Do any of the following:

    • Actions: Select a facial expression (like Raise Eyebrows or Open Mouth). Then choose an action from the list (like Open Menu or Single-Tap).

      Sensitivity: Choose the amount of expressiveness needed to perform the expression.

    • Pointer: Select an option to have the pointer move with face movements, when facing screen edges, or based on head position.
    • Pointer Speed: Select the Increment button or Decrement button to adjust how quickly the pointer moves with head movement.
    • Snap to Item: Have the pointer automatically move to the item on the screen that’s closest to where your head is pointing.
    • Dwell Control: Turn Dwell Control on or off. To adjust settings for Dwell Control, such as the default dwell action and the duration of the dwell timer, see Set up Dwell Control.

To change the size or color of the Head Tracking pointer, go to Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control. See Make the pointer easier to see.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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