Operate iPhone using VoiceOver gestures

When VoiceOver is on, you need to use special gestures to unlock iPhone, open Control Center, switch apps, and more.

Unlock iPhone

Models with Face ID: Wake iPhone and glance at it, then drag up from the bottom edge of the screen until you feel a vibration or hear two rising tones.
Models with Touch ID: Press the Home button.

If prompted, enter your passcode. To avoid having your passcode spoken as you enter it, enter your passcode silently using handwriting mode or type onscreen braille.

iPhone X and later: Drag one finger up from the bottom edge of the screen until you feel a vibration or hear two rising tones, then lift your finger.
Other models: Press the Home button.

Swipe right or left with four fingers to cycle through the open apps.

Alternatively, you can use the App Switcher:

Open the App Switcher using one of the following methods:
- iPhone X and later: Drag one finger up from the bottom edge of the screen until you feel the second vibration or hear the third sound, then lift your finger.
- Other models: Double-click the Home button.
To browse the open apps, swipe left or right until the app you want is selected.
Double-tap to open the app.

iPhone X and later: Drag one finger down from the top edge of the screen until you feel a vibration or hear the second tone.
All models: Tap any item in the status bar, then swipe up with three fingers. Or touch and hold the bottom of the screen until you hear a tone, then swipe up.

To dismiss Control Center, do a two-finger scrub.

iPhone X and later: Drag one finger down from the top edge of the screen until you feel the second vibration or hear the third tone.
To dismiss the notifications screen, do a two-finger scrub.
All models: Tap any item in the status bar, then swipe down with three fingers. Or touch and hold the top of the screen until you hear a tone, then swipe down.

To dismiss the notifications screen, do a two-finger scrub.

Tap the status bar at the top of the screen.
Swipe left or right to hear the time, battery state, Wi-Fi signal strength, and more.

Use one of the following methods:

Drag and drop: Tap an icon on the Home screen, then double-tap and hold your finger on the screen until you hear three rising tones. The item’s relative location is described as you drag. Lift your finger when the icon is in its new location. Drag an icon to the edge of the screen to move it to another Home screen.
Move actions: Tap an app, then swipe down to hear available actions. When you hear “Edit Mode,” double-tap to start arranging apps. Find the app you want to move, then swipe down to the Move action and double-tap. Move the VoiceOver cursor to the new destination for the app, then choose from the available actions: Cancel Move, Create New Folder, Add to Folder, Move Before, or Move After.

When you’re finished, tap Done, then double-tap.

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