Key Takeaways
- VoiceOver has many hidden gestures, including the four-finger double tap, which provides instant help without needing to leave your current screen
- The Rotor feature is VoiceOver’s secret tool, allowing for easy navigation between headings, links, and other elements you can customize
- Screen Recognition uses AI technology to make apps that were previously inaccessible more usable by identifying unlabeled buttons and controls
- Custom pronunciations and verbosity settings can significantly enhance your iOS experience by personalizing how VoiceOver speaks
- Advanced Braille support connects seamlessly with displays, offering both input and output capabilities for increased productivity
Many users never discover all the capabilities of iOS’s VoiceOver screen reader. While the basics help you navigate your iPhone or iPad, the hidden features turn VoiceOver from a simple screen reader into a powerful tool for accessibility. These lesser-known capabilities can significantly enhance efficiency, customization, and overall user experience for blind and low-vision users.
We’re going to dive into these secret treasures that can revolutionize the way you use your Apple gadgets. Whether you’re a VoiceOver newbie or a veteran user wanting to broaden your abilities, these features provide fresh methods to navigate, personalize, and boost your efficiency.
Little-Known VoiceOver Gestures That Are Surprisingly Powerful
Aside from the usual tap and swipe commands, VoiceOver has a few potent motion commands that can significantly boost your productivity. These advanced gestures give you shortcuts to functions you often use, which means you can do complicated tasks with simple finger movements. Knowing these gestures can save you a lot of time and lessen the steps you have to take for usual tasks.
Get VoiceOver Help with a Four-Finger Double Tap
If you’re looking for a hidden gesture that’s especially handy, you’ll love the four-finger double tap. This gesture instantly turns on VoiceOver Help mode, no matter where you are in iOS. Just like keyboard help on macOS or input help on Windows screen readers, this help system is available on-demand. You can perform any gesture and hear an explanation of what it does. This is an excellent feature if you can’t remember a certain gesture or if you want to try out gestures without worrying about accidentally doing something you didn’t mean to do. For more detailed instructions, you can turn on and practice VoiceOver with Apple’s official guide.
Should you hear “Speech off” when trying to do this gesture, it’s likely that VoiceOver thought you were performing a three-finger double-tap. Just do a three-finger double-tap to turn VoiceOver speech back on and try the four-finger gesture again, making sure all four fingers touch the screen at the same time.
Three-Finger Swipe for Easy Document Navigation
The three-finger swipe is a must when reading long documents, webpages, or emails. Swiping up or down with three fingers scrolls through content one page at a time, keeping your position in the text. This feature saves you from the time-consuming process of swiping through each element individually, especially in applications with lots of content.
If you want to navigate with even more precision, you can swipe left or right with three fingers to change the reading direction. This way, you can switch between pages in multi-page documents or move from one section of an interface to another without losing your place in the content hierarchy.
- Swipe up with three fingers: Scroll down a page
- Swipe down with three fingers: Scroll up a page
- Swipe left with three fingers: Go to the next page or section
- Swipe right with three fingers: Go to the previous page or section
Two-Finger Double Tap: The Magic Tap Command
The “Magic Tap” command (double tapping with two fingers) acts as a smart action button that changes its behavior depending on the context. This versatile command performs the most relevant action for your current situation, making it one of the most powerful commands in VoiceOver.
- Within the phone app: Pick up or hang up a call
- Within music or podcast apps: Start or stop audio
- While typing: Begin or finish dictation
- While navigating: Pause or continue VoiceOver speaking
- On the lock screen: See what time it is
Three-Finger Triple Tap for Text Selection Tools
When you’re editing text, the three-finger triple tap shows a contextual menu of text selection tools. This gesture lets you access select all, cut, copy, and paste functions without having to go through multiple menus. It’s especially helpful when you’re working with longer documents or when you need to select text precisely.
When you do this gesture, VoiceOver will let you know what text manipulation options are available. You can swipe left or right with one finger to go through these options and double-tap to select the one you want. This makes editing text a lot easier, especially if you’re working with complicated documents or forms.
Personalizing Your VoiceOver Experience
VoiceOver is more than just a screen reader. It’s a customizable tool designed to meet your unique needs and preferences. Many users are unaware of the depth of customization available, from minor tweaks to major overhauls of the way information is presented.
Managing Audio Ducking
Audio ducking is a feature that reduces the volume of other audio when VoiceOver is speaking, making it easier to hear VoiceOver’s instructions or information. This hidden feature can be adjusted more than just turning it on or off in the basic settings. To access the advanced controls for how much the other audio should be reduced and how quickly the volume should transition, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Audio.
Adjusting the Speech Rate and Pitch
While you can adjust the speech rate in the VoiceOver settings, you can also make small changes to the speed and pitch using the rotor. Select “Speaking Rate” with the rotor and then swipe up or down to adjust the speed in smaller increments than the main settings allow. This allows you to find the perfect balance between understanding and efficiency for your current task.
Did you know that you can change the pitch of the voice? Many people don’t know this is an option. Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Speech > Voice and select your current voice. You’ll see detailed pitch controls that can make extended listening more comfortable. Some people prefer a lower pitch for extended reading sessions and a higher pitch for quick navigation cues.
Personalized Pronunciation Lists
VoiceOver has a handy, albeit hidden, pronunciation editor that lets you make personalized pronunciations for words, acronyms, or phrases that VoiceOver routinely mispronounces. This is particularly useful for technical terms, brand names, or personal contacts. To find this feature, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Speech > Pronunciations and tap the “+” button to add new entries.
Each entry is made up of the actual text (what you see on the screen) and your chosen pronunciation (how you want VoiceOver to pronounce it). You can even use phonetic spelling to get the exact pronunciation you want. This personalisation greatly improves the listening experience, especially for words you use often. For more information on how to use VoiceOver in apps, visit the official guide.
Adjusting the Amount of Spoken Information in Different Situations
The amount of information that VoiceOver speaks in different situations is determined by its verbosity controls. If you navigate to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Verbosity, you’ll find detailed controls for punctuation, formatting attributes, table data, and more. Depending on the situation, you can set up VoiceOver to provide either a minimal amount of information for quick navigation or a maximum amount of information for comprehensive understanding.
There’s one setting that’s particularly handy and that’s the ability to control how VoiceOver tells you about the actions you can take. You can adjust these settings so that VoiceOver automatically tells you when there are custom actions available for an item or stays quiet until you specifically check. This balance between giving you information and making things efficient can really improve how you work in complicated apps.
The Rotor: A Hidden Gem for VoiceOver Power Users
The Rotor in VoiceOver might be the most potent yet least used feature in iOS accessibility. This virtual control, which you can activate by rotating two fingers on the screen like you’re turning a knob, changes how you navigate content. It gives you context-sensitive navigation options that adjust based on what you’re doing at the moment, providing amazing flexibility and efficiency compared to basic gestures.
Many people are aware of the basic functions of the rotor, but not many take advantage of its full potential for customization and navigation. Knowing how to use the rotor to its full extent is often the difference between casual VoiceOver users and power users who can navigate iOS with incredible speed and accuracy.
Using and Setting Up Rotor Choices
To use the rotor, put two fingers on the screen and turn them either clockwise or counterclockwise as if you were turning a real dial. As you turn, VoiceOver will tell you what the current rotor choice is. Once you have chosen the option you want, you can swipe up or down with one finger to navigate with that option.
Many users are not aware that the rotor options can be completely customized. You can go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor to choose which options appear and in what sequence. You can make the rotor experience more efficient by removing options that you don’t use and prioritizing the ones you use most often.
Character-by-Character Navigation
When you’re editing text, the rotor’s character navigation is a godsend. Set the rotor to “Characters,” and then swipe up or down to move through text one character at a time with pinpoint accuracy. This level of control lets you place the cursor exactly where you want it when you’re editing documents, filling out forms, or composing messages.
By rotating the rotor, you can switch between different levels of text navigation for increased efficiency: Characters, Words, Lines, and Paragraphs. This allows you to swiftly move between paragraphs to find the general area you’re looking for, then drill down to character-level precision for detailed editing—all without changing your basic gesture pattern.
Efficiently Jump Between Headings, Links, and Form Controls
When you’re scrolling through websites or navigating complex apps, the rotor changes the way you move through content. By selecting elements like Headings, Links, or Form Controls in the rotor, you can swipe up or down to jump directly between these elements. This means you don’t have to swipe through every element on a page, allowing you to navigate websites at speeds comparable to or faster than sighted users.
App-Specific Rotor Actions
One of the rotor’s lesser-known features is that apps can create their own custom rotor options that are tailored to what they do. For instance, in Mail, the rotor can give you options to sort out unread messages; in Safari, it can give you options for navigating images; and in Maps, it can let you navigate between points of interest. These rotor actions that are specific to each app essentially make custom navigation systems for each app, which can make things a lot more efficient once you get the hang of them.
Screen Recognition: VoiceOver’s AI Helper
Screen Recognition is one of the most groundbreaking developments in iOS accessibility technology. This tool uses on-device machine learning to examine the content of apps that are not properly coded for accessibility, recognizing buttons, text fields, and other interactive elements that would otherwise be inaccessible. It essentially makes unworkable apps workable and turns partial accessibility into a more comprehensive experience.
Activating Screen Recognition
Screen Recognition is a powerful tool, but it’s often overlooked because many users don’t know it exists or how to use it. To turn it on, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > VoiceOver Recognition > Screen Recognition and flip the switch to the on position. The first time you use it, iOS will download a small machine learning model to power the feature.
To get the most out of this feature, you can also turn on Image Descriptions in the same menu section. This additional feature identifies and describes images within apps, providing context that might otherwise be missing. Together, these recognition features form a powerful AI assistance system that works alongside traditional VoiceOver functionality.
Apps that Gain the Most from Screen Recognition
Screen Recognition is most advantageous in apps that have not been designed with accessibility in mind. This includes food delivery apps, banking apps, games, and a lot of third-party utilities that have not considered accessibility as a priority. With Screen Recognition turned on, these apps become much more user-friendly. For instance, elements that were previously only identified as a “button” can now be properly labeled through visual recognition.
Screen Recognition is especially useful for social media apps that frequently update their interfaces. Even when updates change the layout or functionality, Screen Recognition can often identify the new elements correctly, providing continuity of access when traditional accessibility tags might be broken or outdated.
Challenges and Solutions
Screen Recognition is a game-changer, but it’s not without its flaws. It can sometimes mislabel elements, especially in visually complicated apps, or overlook interactive features that don’t adhere to typical design guidelines. In these situations, it’s still crucial to use traditional touch exploration as a backup method.
When you’re using important applications and you keep having trouble with recognition, try using the Accessibility Feedback form in Settings to report the problems straight to Apple. This feedback has led to many improvements in the technology since it was first introduced. Plus, if you contact app developers directly with specific accessibility issues, it often leads to better built-in implementation that reduces the need for Screen Recognition.
How to Use VoiceOver and Siri Together
Did you know that VoiceOver and Siri can be used together? This hidden feature allows for hands-free control that most users aren’t aware of. When VoiceOver and Siri are both turned on, Siri provides more detailed responses. These responses are designed specifically for VoiceOver users, making it easier to complete complex tasks and providing an alternative way to interact with your device when touching the screen isn’t possible.
Aside from executing basic commands, Siri can also act as a supplement to VoiceOver navigation. This allows you to activate specific features, look for content, or carry out actions without having to navigate through several screens. This combination is especially helpful when your hands are full or when traditional navigation would require several steps.
Using Voice Commands to Change VoiceOver Settings
Instead of having to go through multiple screens in the Settings app, Siri can change many VoiceOver settings. You could say “Hey Siri, turn on Screen Curtain” or “Hey Siri, increase VoiceOver speaking rate” and it will make the changes instantly. This is especially useful if you need to quickly change your VoiceOver experience without stopping what you’re doing.
Did you know that you can use Siri to directly activate features specific to VoiceOver, such as “Turn on VoiceOver Recognition” or “Open VoiceOver Practice”? It’s a huge time-saver compared to manually navigating through the Settings hierarchy. Many users have found that combining Siri commands with traditional VoiceOver navigation is the most efficient way to work.
How to Get Siri to Provide More Detailed Responses with VoiceOver
When VoiceOver is turned on, Siri is automatically programmed to give more detailed responses than it does for those who can see. Instead of simply displaying information visually with little verbal feedback, Siri gives full audio descriptions of things like search results, weather forecasts, calendar events, and more. This increased verbosity ensures you get all the information you need without having to navigate the screen.
For instance, if you ask about the weather with VoiceOver turned on, Siri will tell you the entire forecast out loud instead of showing you a weather card with minimal spoken details. In the same way, if you ask for directions, Siri will give you more detailed spoken directions instead of just showing you a map.
Text Recognition and Live Descriptions
VoiceOver can do more than just read interface elements. It can also recognize text in images and describe what’s happening around you. These features make visual content accessible, opening up new possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.
Finding and Speaking Text in Pictures
VoiceOver can find and speak text that’s inside pictures, PDFs, and documents. This works in Photos, Files, Safari, Mail, and a lot of other apps. To use this, just go to a picture with VoiceOver and double-tap it. If there’s text, VoiceOver will speak it automatically. You don’t need any other apps or to do anything else.
If you’re dealing with a complex image and you want to have more exact control over text recognition, you can use the rotor to switch to “Text” mode when you’re focused on an image. This will let you move between different text blocks within the image by swiping up or down. This can be really helpful for documents that have multiple columns or complex layouts. You can then go through the recognized text character by character, word by word, or line by line using the standard VoiceOver navigation gestures.
Describing Images Without Changing Apps
VoiceOver has the ability to automatically describe images, so you don’t need to switch to a specific image description app. When you come across an image in any app, VoiceOver tries to recognize what’s in it and gives you a brief description. These descriptions can include details about people, objects, settings, and actions shown in the image.
You can manage the level of detail in these descriptions by going to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > VoiceOver Recognition > Image Descriptions and adjusting the level of detail. You can choose between a brief description for a quick overview or a detailed description for a comprehensive understanding. This feature greatly enhances the understanding of images shared in messaging apps, social media, and websites, especially for users who often work with visual content.
Features for Detecting People and Doors
VoiceOver goes beyond just what’s on the screen to provide you with information about your physical surroundings with the Detection Mode features. When you turn it on, People Detection uses the LiDAR scanner on your iPhone (on supported models) to find people near you and tell you how far away they are. This feature for spatial awareness helps you keep physical distance and be more aware of your surroundings in crowded places.
Another part of Detection Mode is Door Detection, which helps you identify doors and their features as you navigate through unfamiliar settings. This feature can tell if doors are open or closed, how they open (push, pull, or automatic), and even read signs or room numbers near the door. These detection features turn the iPhone from a device for communication into a tool for spatial awareness that boosts independence when navigating physical spaces.
Braille Support Features for the Visually Impaired
Did you know that iOS provides extensive Braille support? This feature allows both Braille input and output, giving those who prefer or need tactile interaction a powerful tool. This Braille support is a great alternative to speech-based interaction, especially when audio output isn’t possible or when you need to enter text precisely.
Linking Braille Displays
Apple’s iOS can connect with over 70 different Braille displays using Bluetooth, providing a smooth tactile interface for your device. To link a display, first set it to pairing mode as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Braille and choose your device when it shows up. Once linked, your Braille display can be used as another method to read what’s on the screen and navigate the interface.
- Works with refreshable Braille displays from leading manufacturers like Freedom Scientific, HumanWare, and APH
- Supports both 6-dot and 8-dot Braille codes
- Enter commands using Braille keyboard combinations
- Use the navigation keys on the Braille display for easy navigation through iOS
Most Braille displays have navigation buttons that let you move through iOS without touching the screen. These buttons usually let you do things like move to the next or previous item, activate the selected item, go back to the home screen, and open the app switcher. The specific commands depend on the display model, but iOS automatically recognizes common layouts.
Braille displays are a godsend for users with deafblindness or those who prefer to operate their devices in silence. These displays offer a completely touch- and audio-free way to use iOS devices. This feature essentially turns the iPhone and iPad into fully accessible tools for everyone, regardless of hearing status, and provides the deafblind community with crucial access to the digital world.
Braille Input and Output Features
Not only does iOS support external Braille displays, but it also has a built-in Braille keyboard that turns your touchscreen into a virtual Braille input device. To turn on this feature, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Braille > Braille Screen Input. Once it’s on, you can hold your iPhone or iPad in landscape mode and type in Braille by touching the corresponding dots on the screen. This offers a familiar input method for Braille users without the need for additional hardware.
When it comes to output, iOS can support a range of Braille codes. This includes Unified English Braille (UEB), codes that are specific to certain languages, and even specialized notations for mathematics and computer Braille. You can set your preferred Braille code by going to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Braille > Output. This allows you to ensure that the Braille output is tailored to your reading preferences, regardless of where you are or what languages you use.
Choosing Between Contracted and Uncontracted Braille Settings
iOS allows you to select between contracted (grade 2) and uncontracted (grade 1) Braille, depending on your comfort and familiarity with either format. Contracted Braille uses unique dot combinations to denote common letter groups or words, thus saving space but requiring more expertise to read and write. On the other hand, uncontracted Braille denotes each letter separately, making it simpler for beginners but more lengthy in presentation.
Making and Implementing Personalized VoiceOver Commands
One of the most potent but rarely used features of VoiceOver is the option to make personalized commands that fit your particular requirements. These personalizations enable you to modify VoiceOver to your distinct workflow, greatly enhancing productivity for your most frequent tasks. For more guidance, explore this comprehensive guide on using VoiceOver in apps.
You can customize from simple gesture reassignments to complicated multi-step commands that can automate action sequences. If you spend time setting up these custom commands, you can significantly reduce the effort needed for common tasks and create shortcuts that make iOS even more accessible and efficient.
Customizing Touch Gestures
With VoiceOver, you can set up custom actions for specific touch gestures, which can be a great way to create shortcuts for the tasks you do most often. To see and change these assignments, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Touch Gestures. You can change existing gestures or set up actions for touch gesture combinations that aren’t currently being used, so you can create a control scheme that works best for you.
How to Assign Actions to Physical Buttons
Did you know that you can control VoiceOver using the physical buttons on your iOS device, not just touch gestures? To do this, go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Physical Buttons. Here, you can assign VoiceOver actions to button combinations like pressing the volume buttons together or triple-clicking the side button. This feature is especially handy when touch interaction is difficult due to environmental factors or physical limitations.
Working with the Shortcuts App and VoiceOver
Apple’s Shortcuts app has been designed to work smoothly with VoiceOver, allowing you to create complicated automated workflows that can be triggered by voice commands or gestures. You have the ability to create shortcuts that carry out a series of actions, like creating and sharing an accessibility report about the app you’re currently using, pulling text from an image and reading it aloud, or formatting text you’ve selected and sharing it. You can activate these shortcuts by using Siri and your voice, or you can assign them to custom VoiceOver gestures.
For instance, you can set up a shortcut that recognizes the text in a picture, copies it to the clipboard, and then begins dictating a reply—all initiated by a single custom gesture. These automation features turn VoiceOver from a tool for navigating interfaces into a complete productivity system that’s customized to your particular requirements.
Getting the Most Out of VoiceOver Can Revolutionize Your iOS Experience
Once you’ve gotten the hang of these lesser-known VoiceOver features, you’ll find that using iOS isn’t just accessible—it’s incredibly efficient. Whether you’re using gesture shortcuts, tweaking your settings, utilizing AI-powered recognition, or taking advantage of Braille support, you’ll be able to navigate your iOS device faster and more accurately than ever before. And because these features are so comprehensive and versatile, iOS devices are some of the best tools out there for blind and low-vision users, often outperforming dedicated assistive devices at a much lower price point.
Commonly Asked Questions
As you begin to dive deeper into VoiceOver’s more complex features, you may find yourself with a few questions about how to best use them. The answers to these commonly asked questions can help you get the most out of your VoiceOver experience.
What’s the quickest way to switch VoiceOver on and off?
The Accessibility Shortcut is the quickest way to turn VoiceOver on and off. It works by triple-clicking the side button (or the home button on older models). To set this up, you’ll need to go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and then choose VoiceOver. If you’ve got more than one accessibility feature selected, you’ll see a menu when you triple-click the button.
If you want to have even quicker access, you can set up a Back Tap shortcut on supported iPhones. To do this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and assign VoiceOver to either a double or triple tap. This lets you turn VoiceOver on or off by just tapping the back of your iPhone two or three times, which is an incredibly handy way to access it without having to hunt for specific buttons.
Does VoiceOver work with non-Apple keyboards?
Absolutely, VoiceOver can be used with the majority of non-Apple keyboards, although the compatibility and functionality can differ from keyboard to keyboard. There are some keyboards, such as FlickType, that are specifically designed to be accessible and have improved VoiceOver integration. These accessible keyboards often have features like keys with a high contrast, customizable feedback, and unique navigation options.
For regular third-party keyboards, you can enhance the experience by tweaking the typing feedback settings in VoiceOver. Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Typing and try out the different typing modes (Standard Typing, Touch Typing, and Direct Touch Typing) to see which one is most compatible with your favorite keyboard.
For those who often switch between keyboards, you might want to create a custom rotor option for “Keyboard Type”. This allows you to quickly change keyboards without having to leave your current app. You can set this up in the VoiceOver Rotor settings by making sure the “Keyboard” option is included in your active rotor items.
Can VoiceOver be used with any iOS app?
While VoiceOver compatibility differs across apps, it fully supports Apple’s built-in apps and many major third-party apps. However, some apps, especially games, specialized tools, and apps from smaller developers, might not have full or any accessibility implementation. This is where Screen Recognition comes in handy as it can recognize elements in inaccessible apps using visual analysis, significantly improving access to previously unusable apps.
How can I practice VoiceOver gestures without affecting my iPhone?
There is a dedicated VoiceOver Practice area within iOS where you can safely try gestures without triggering actions on your device. This feature can be accessed by going to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > VoiceOver Practice. In this mode, VoiceOver will announce what each gesture does without actually performing the associated action, allowing you to experiment freely without concern.
How do VoiceOver and Speak Screen features differ?
While both VoiceOver and Speak Screen exist to assist users, they do so in different ways. VoiceOver is a full-featured screen reader that alters the way you interact with your device. It demands particular gestures and offers in-depth feedback about all elements. It’s designed for users who require continuous access to screen content and navigation help.
VoiceOver: This is a screen reader that is fully featured and offers custom gestures, navigation from one element to another, and comprehensive feedback
Speak Screen: This is a simple text-to-speech feature that reads the content that is visible on the screen without changing the navigation gestures
Speak Selection: This feature will read only the text that you have specifically selected when it is activated
Speech Controller: This feature provides playback controls when any speech feature is active
Speak Screen, on the other hand, simply reads the visible content on your screen without changing how you navigate. It’s activated by swiping down with two fingers from the top of the screen and is ideal for users who can see the screen but prefer or need auditory reinforcement for reading longer text. This feature works well for users with dyslexia, learning disabilities, or mild vision impairments who don’t require full screen reader functionality.
If you only need help reading occasionally, you can use Speak Selection, which adds a “Speak” option to the context menu when you select text. This allows you to have specific content read aloud without activating a full screen reading feature. These tiered options make sure that iOS can accommodate users with different levels of vision and different accessibility needs.
If you want to personalize any of these speech features, go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content, where you can change the speaking rate, voice, and highlighting options separately from VoiceOver settings. This separation lets you fine-tune each feature to your specific needs for various tasks.
If you’re just getting started with VoiceOver or looking to level up your existing skills, these lesser-known features and capabilities can seriously upgrade your iOS experience. By digging into these advanced options and tailoring them to your needs, you’ll find that iOS provides one of the most robust and powerful accessibility experiences of any platform.
At AccessWorld Magazine, we are committed to providing extensive guides and tutorials on how to get the most out of the accessibility features on all Apple devices. Check out our website for even more resources, like step-by-step podcasts and in-depth articles that cover all things iOS accessibility.
