Mobility

A tap. A touch. A ton of possibilities.

Switch Control

Navigate your device with as little as a tap.

Switch Control makes it easy and efficient to control your device with a variety of adaptive switch hardware, wireless game controllers, or even simple sounds. If you have extensive motor limitations, you can use item, point, and manual scanning to navigate sequentially through onscreen keyboards, menus, and the Dock. Create your own custom panels and keyboards, systemwide or app by app. Platform Switching allows you to use a single device to navigate any other devices you have synced with your iCloud account. That way, you can control your Mac directly from your iPhone or iPad without having to set up your switches on each new device.1

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, iPod touch

Switch Control makes it easy and efficient to control your device with a variety of adaptive switch hardware, wireless game controllers, or even simple sounds. If you have extensive motor limitations, you can use item, point, and manual scanning to navigate sequentially through onscreen keyboards, menus, and the Dock. Create your own custom panels and keyboards, systemwide or app by app. Platform Switching allows you to use a single device to navigate any other devices you have synced with your iCloud account. That way, you can control your Mac directly from your iPhone or iPad without having to set up your switches on each new device.1

Set up Switch Control on:

Go deeper:

Adaptive Accessories

Switch Control is compatible with a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a switch, a joystick, a keyboard space bar, and more.

Updates:

Sound Actions for Switch Control. Control iPhone or iPad with simple mouth sounds — such as a click, pop, or “ee” sound — without the need for physical buttons, switches, or complex verbal commands.

Wireless game controller support. Connected wireless game controllers can now be used as external adaptive switches for Switch Control. Popular controllers, including DualShock 4, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller, can now have their buttons assigned as actions to operate iPhone or iPad with Switch Control.

Screen Recognition. Screen Recognition automatically detects interface controls to aid in navigating your apps, making them more accessible. This VoiceOver feature is coming to Switch Control with improved detection for tab, checkbox, and radio button states, heading and modal elements, element grouping, and more.

FileVault login and macOS Recovery support. For Intel processors, macOS accessibility features were limited when logging in to encrypted disks or fixing issues in macOS Recovery. Apple silicon allows macOS to support Switch Control in these additional areas. This feature is available only for Mac with M1.

AssistiveTouch

Push all the buttons without pressing any.

AssistiveTouch for iOS and iPadOS lets you adapt your touchscreen to fit your physical needs. If certain gestures, like pinch or tap, don’t work for you, swap them with a gesture that does or create a touch that’s all your own. You can customize the layout of the AssistiveTouch menu too, or connect a Bluetooth mouse to control an onscreen pointer for navigation. AssistiveTouch for watchOS now enables users with upper-body limb differences to navigate an onscreen motion pointer on their Apple Watch display or answer calls using clench, double-clench, and pinch gestures.2

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod touch

AssistiveTouch for iOS and iPadOS lets you adapt your touchscreen to fit your physical needs. If certain gestures, like pinch or tap, don’t work for you, swap them with a gesture that does or create a touch that’s all your own. You can customize the layout of the AssistiveTouch menu too, or connect a Bluetooth mouse to control an onscreen pointer for navigation. AssistiveTouch for watchOS now enables users with upper-body limb differences to navigate an onscreen motion pointer on their Apple Watch display or answer calls using clench, double-clench, and pinch gestures.2

Set up AssistiveTouch on:

Update:

AssistiveTouch for watchOS. Use Apple Watch without touching the display or controls; use clenching, pinching, and wrist gestures to navigate and perform actions on the display. Motion Pointer allows you to navigate and dwell on display elements with only wrist movements. Digital Crown Autoscrolling helps prevent gesture fatigue when navigating long lists, while Automatic Movement mode lets you automatically navigate onscreen items.

Alternative input

Control your device with a single gesture.

Head Tracking uses the camera on your device to follow the movement of your head to control a pointer on your screen, and tracks your facial movements to perform actions.3 On Mac, Pointer Control already allows you to use different methods, like head movements, to control your pointer and mouse button. iPadOS now supports third-party eye-tracking devices, making it possible for people to control iPad using just their eyes.4 Compatible devices, available at a later date, will track where a person is looking onscreen and the pointer will move to follow the person’s gaze, while extended eye contact will perform an action, like a tap.

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Mac

Head Tracking uses the camera on your device to follow the movement of your head to control a pointer on your screen, and tracks your facial movements to perform actions.3 On Mac, Pointer Control already allows you to use different methods, like head movements, to control your pointer and mouse button. iPadOS now supports third-party eye-tracking devices, making it possible for people to control iPad using just their eyes.4 Compatible devices, available at a later date, will track where a person is looking onscreen and the pointer will move to follow the person’s gaze, while extended eye contact will perform an action, like a tap.

Set up alternative input on:

Go deeper:

Control the pointer using Dwell on Mac

Update:

FileVault login and macOS Recovery support. Apple silicon allows macOS to support Pointer Control when logging in to encrypted disks or fixing issues in macOS Recovery. This feature is available only for Mac with M1 chip.

Hardware keyboard support

Simplify keystrokes and adjust sensitivity.

Create custom shortcuts for commonly used words or phrases, and your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPod touch will type them out for you. Slow Keys lets you adjust the amount of time between when a key is pressed and when it is activated, so your device processes only the keystrokes you mean to make. Sticky Keys enable you to enter key combinations sequentially rather than simultaneously. Or use Mouse Keys to control your pointer with a numeric keypad.

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod touch

Create custom shortcuts for commonly used words or phrases, and your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPod touch will type them out for you. Slow Keys lets you adjust the amount of time between when a key is pressed and when it is activated, so your device processes only the keystrokes you mean to make. Sticky Keys enable you to enter key combinations sequentially rather than simultaneously. Or use Mouse Keys to control your pointer with a numeric keypad.

Set up hardware keyboard support on:

Go deeper:

Updates:

Full Keyboard Access. Full Keyboard Access lets you control everything on your Mac using a keyboard, without the need for a mouse or trackpad. With an expanded set of improved keyboard shortcuts, even more areas of your Mac can be accessed by keyboard, including Control Center and Notification Center.

FileVault login and macOS Recovery support. macOS now supports Sticky Keys and Mouse Keys when logging in to encrypted disks or fixing issues in macOS Recovery. This update requires a Mac with M1.

Accessibility Keyboard

Stay off the keys and on the screen.

The customizable, onscreen Accessibility Keyboard lets you navigate and type in macOS your way. It includes support for custom toolbars and improved typing with autocapitalization and better word suggestions. This keyboard also supports head‑tracking hardware for those with limited mobility to move the pointer and select or drag onscreen items. And it has Dwell support, so all of macOS can be used without ever needing to click a mouse button.

Available on:

Mac

The customizable, onscreen Accessibility Keyboard lets you navigate and type in macOS your way. It includes support for custom toolbars and improved typing with autocapitalization and better word suggestions. This keyboard also supports head‑tracking hardware for those with limited mobility to move the pointer and select or drag onscreen items. And it has Dwell support, so all of macOS can be used without ever needing to click a mouse button.

Set up Accessibility Keyboard on:

Mac

Go deeper:

Control the pointer using Dwell on Mac

Update:

FileVault login and macOS Recovery support. Apple silicon allows macOS to support Accessibility Keyboard when logging in to encrypted disks or fixing issues in macOS Recovery. This feature requires a Mac with M1.

Back Tap

A tap on the back opens a favorite app.

Meet the easiest shortcut ever. Back Tap lets you double‑tap or triple‑tap the back of your iPhone to automatically perform a range of custom tasks — from opening your favorite app to taking a screenshot. Choose from 24 different actions or create your own automated shortcuts to simplify your everyday tasks.5

Available on:

iPhone

Meet the easiest shortcut ever. Back Tap lets you double‑tap or triple‑tap the back of your iPhone to automatically perform a range of custom tasks — from opening your favorite app to taking a screenshot. Choose from 24 different actions or create your own automated shortcuts to simplify your everyday tasks.5

Set up Back Tap on:

iPhone

Touch Accommodations

You’ve got the magic touch.

Adjust how the screen responds to your touch with Touch Accommodations. Control how long you touch before it’s recognized or whether repeat touches are ignored. That way, you can put your finger down anywhere on the screen and move to the item you want without mistakenly performing an action.

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod, iPod touch

Adjust how the screen responds to your touch with Touch Accommodations. Control how long you touch before it’s recognized or whether repeat touches are ignored. That way, you can put your finger down anywhere on the screen and move to the item you want without mistakenly performing an action.

Set up Touch Accommodations on:

Dictation

Everything you say goes.

Dictation lets you talk wherever you would type. It’s easy to type an email, notes, or a web address — without typing at all. Tap the microphone button on the onscreen keyboard, say what you want to write, and your device converts your words (and numbers and characters) into text.

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, iPod touch

Dictation lets you talk wherever you would type. It’s easy to type an email, notes, or a web address — without typing at all. Tap the microphone button on the onscreen keyboard, say what you want to write, and your device converts your words (and numbers and characters) into text.

Set up Dictation on:

Activity app

Set a goal and roll.

Reach your exercise goals with the Activity app on Apple Watch, designed with wheelchair users in mind. Instead of a Stand goal, the Roll goal encourages you to move every hour. And sensors in Apple Watch take into account different pushing techniques for varying speeds and terrain — even transition movements — giving you the most accurate snapshot of your daily activity.

Available on:

Apple Watch

Reach your exercise goals with the Activity app on Apple Watch, designed with wheelchair users in mind. Instead of a Stand goal, the Roll goal encourages you to move every hour. And sensors in Apple Watch take into account different pushing techniques for varying speeds and terrain — even transition movements — giving you the most accurate snapshot of your daily activity.

Set up the Activity app on:

Apple Watch

Workout app

Designed for the way you move.

The Workout app on Apple Watch helps you work out your way. Accurately measure your movement with specific exercise routines and set time, distance, or calorie goals based on the type of exercise you do. For wheelchair users, there are two unique workouts: Outdoor Wheelchair Walk Pace and Outdoor Wheelchair Run Pace. Just choose a workout and Apple Watch turns on the appropriate sensors.

Available on:

Apple Watch

The Workout app on Apple Watch helps you work out your way. Accurately measure your movement with specific exercise routines and set time, distance, or calorie goals based on the type of exercise you do. For wheelchair users, there are two unique workouts: Outdoor Wheelchair Walk Pace and Outdoor Wheelchair Run Pace. Just choose a workout and Apple Watch turns on the appropriate sensors.

Set up the Workout app on:

Apple Watch

Go deeper:

Wheelchair workouts

Predictive Text

Find your next word without a second thought.

Let your device finish the sentence for you. If you find it cumbersome to type, Predictive Text can save you from going through the motions. Just start writing and it adjusts your suggestions based on who you’re talking to and what you’ve said before. Tap to choose the perfect next word.6

Available on:

iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, iPod touch

Predictive Text

Let your device finish the sentence for you. If you find it cumbersome to type, Predictive Text can save you from going through the motions. Just start writing and it adjusts your suggestions based on who you’re talking to and what you’ve said before. Tap to choose the perfect next word.6

Set up Predictive Text on:

Get more out of your features.

Learn tips, tricks, and how-tos for mobility features straight from Apple Support on YouTube.

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Discover more about Apple accessibility features.

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