VoiceOver: screen reader for iOS

The built-in screen reader for iOS devices is called VoiceOver. A screen reader makes it possible to use apps without sight. Gestures allow you to navigate through apps and perform actions. VoiceOver is available for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Download our free ScreenReader app to learn VoiceOver gestures and actions.

Turn on VoiceOver

You can enable VoiceOver in the following ways:

Way 1: via settings

1. Open the Settings app

2. Tap Accessibility

3. Tap VoiceOver

4. Turn on the switch

Way 2: via Siri

1. Activate Siri (“Hey Siri”)

2. Say: “Turn on VoiceOver”

Way 3: Via Shortcut

1. Open the Settings app

2. Tap Accessibility

3. Scroll to the bottom, tap Accessibility Shortcut

4. Tap VoiceOver

5. Press the side button or home button three times

Turn off VoiceOver

If you get confused with the gestures, the easiest way to turn off VoiceOver is via Siri: “Hey Siri, turn off VoiceOver”.

It is of course also possible to turn VoiceOver off again via the Settings app. However, you will have to navigate here via the VoiceOver gestures.

If you have set up a shortcut for VoiceOver, you can also turn it off again this way.

VoiceOver gestures

It's helpful to learn some basic gestures first. You will not be the first person to turn VoiceOver on, after which it will not be possible to turn it off again.

Swiping to the right takes you to the next element. Swipe left to go to the previous element.

Double tap to activate an element. These three gestures will get you a long way.

The main gestures to learn are:

• Touch the screen with 1 finger to explore

• Swipe right with 1 finger to go to the next element

• Swipe left with 1 finger to go to the previous element

• Tap the screen twice with 1 finger to activate an item

• Swipe left, right, up, or down with 3 fingers to scroll in that direction

Note: it will often happen that you cannot fully control apps with VoiceOver.

Swipe with 1 finger

Gestures to control VoiceOver by swiping with 1 finger.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Select and read an item aloud	Swipe the screen with 1 finger
Navigate to the next item	Swipe right with 1 finger
Navigate to the previous item	Swipe left with 1 finger
Increase setting	Swipe up with 1 finger
Decrease setting	Swipe down with 1 finger

Swipe with 2 fingers

Gestures to control VoiceOver by swiping with 2 fingers.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Have the entire screen read aloud	Swipe up with 2 fingers
Have the screen read aloud from the current item	Swipe down with 2 fingers

Swipe with 3 fingers

Gestures to control VoiceOver by swiping with 3 fingers.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Scroll up	Swipe up with 3 fingers
Scroll down	Swipe down with 3 fingers
Scroll right	Swipe right with 3 fingers
Scroll left	Swipe left with 3 fingers

Tap with 1 finger

Gestures to control VoiceOver by tapping with 1 finger.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Activate the selected item	Tap the screen twice with 1 finger
Long press the selected item	Tap 2 times with 1 finger and hold
Double-tap the selected item	Tap the screen 3 times with 1 finger

Tap with 2 fingers

Gestures to control VoiceOver by tapping with 2 fingers.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Pause or resume reading	Tap the screen with 2 fingers
Start or stop the current operation	Tap the screen twice with 2 fingers
Change the label of a part	Tap 2 times with 2 fingers and hold
Open the Item Chooser	Tap the screen 3 times with 2 fingers

Tap with 3 fingers

Gestures to control VoiceOver by tapping with 3 fingers.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Have additional information spoken	Tap the screen with 3 fingers
Mute or unmute VoiceOver	Tap the screen twice with 3 fingers
Turn the screen curtain on or off	Tap the screen 3 times with 3 fingers

Tap with 4 fingers

Gestures to control VoiceOver by tapping with 4 fingers.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Go to the first section	Tap with 4 fingers at the top of the screen
Go to the last section	Tap with 4 fingers at the bottom of the screen

Shortcuts

Gestures to activate VoiceOver shortcuts.

Action	Explanation	Gesture
Choosing a rotor setting	Make a rotating movement with 2 fingers
Close a notification or go back to the previous screen	Make a zigzagging movement with 2 fingers in the shape of the letter Z
Make direct touch	Tap the screen twice with 1 finger and hold until you hear three rising tones. Then move your finger across the screen.

VoiceOver settings

You can set up VoiceOver exactly the way that works best for you. You can adjust the most important settings as follows:

Tap: Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver. On this screen, you can adjust various settings, including the language, voice, and speed.

In addition, it is also possible to adjust certain settings from an app via the rotor. Swipe the screen with two fingers as if you were turning a dial. The first setting will be read aloud. Continue to rotate your fingers to navigate to the next setting. Swipe up or down with your finger to adjust the setting.

Learn VoiceOver

Want to learn even more about VoiceOver? Apple has written several guides:

• Learn VoiceOver gestures

• Change VoiceOver settings

• Control VoiceOver using the rotor