iPhone: Configuring accessibility features (including VoiceOver and Zoom)
Summary
In addition to the many features that make iPhone easy to use for everyone, the accessibility features available on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPod touch (3rd generation and later) are designed to make it easier for users with visual, auditory, or other physical disabilities to use iPhone. Accessibility features include:
- VoiceOver
- Zoom
- Large Text *
- White on Black
- Mono Audio
- Speak Auto-text
This article explains how to turn the accessibility features on the devices on or off, and where to get more information.
* Requires iOS 4 or later.
Products Affected
iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation)
Apple recommends using iTunes to turn on or off the accessibility features of the device. You can also use iTunes with GW Micro Window-Eyes (Windows) and VoiceOver (Mac).
To turn accessibility features on or off
In iTunes
- Connect iPhone or iPod touch to your computer.
- In iTunes, select your device.
- In the Summary pane, click Configure Universal Access in the Options section.
- Select the accessibility features that you want to use and click OK.
![[Universal access options screenshot]](http://km.support.apple.com/library/APPLE/APPLECARE_ALLGEOS/HT3577/HT3577_02----en.png)
On the device
Tap Settings > General > Accessibility.
Note: You can have Zoom or VoiceOver on, but not both at the same time. Zoom and VoiceOver use the same gestures to perform different actions.
VoiceOver
If VoiceOver is on and you want to turn it off from the device instead of from iTunes, remember that a double-tap acts like a single tap and you need to use three fingers to scroll when VoiceOver is on:
- Press Home.
- Tap Settings. Then double-tap Settings.
- Tap General. Then double-tap General.
- Use three fingers on the screen to scroll to Accessibility.
- Tap Accessibility. Then double-tap Accessibility.
- Tap VoiceOver. Then double-tap VoiceOver.
- Tap "On" next to VoiceOver. Then double-tap "On" to turn it off.
You can configure the device to display options for VoiceOver, Zoom, or White on Black when you triple-click the Home button. This feature is off by default; to enable it, tap Settings > General > Accessibility > Triple-click Home.
If VoiceOver is on and the screen is black, but you can still use the device by pressing volume up and volume down, you may have screen curtain on. Try triple-tapping using three fingers on the device display to turn off screen curtain. Or connect the device to iTunes (see above).
If Zoom is on and you want to zoom out or in, double-tap using three fingers.
In addition, you can practice VoiceOver gestures by tapping Settings > General > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Practice VoiceOver Gestures. When VoiceOver is on, this feature provides audio feedback describing the gestures you are performing, and what action they perform on the device.
Additional Information
For more information about of all the accessibility features and how to use them, see the iPhone User Guide or see www.apple.com/accessibility.
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