Set up Assistive Access on iPad
Assistive Access is a distinctive iPadOS experience that makes it easier for people with cognitive disabilities to use iPad independently. Essential apps and experiences have been optimized for Assistive Access—onscreen items are bigger, features are more focused, and it’s easier to navigate and understand what actions are possible.
Before you begin
Assistive Access may be easiest to set up with the assistance of a trusted supporter—a family member or caregiver who knows the person who will be using iPad and can help them choose the apps and features best suited to their needs. The trusted supporter may also need access to the person’s account information, such as their Apple Account password or iPad passcode.
If the iPad you want to use with Assistive Access is new, it needs to be set up before you can start Assistive Access setup. See the Apple Support article Set up your iPhone or iPad.
Step 1: Start Assistive Access setup
Go to Settings 
> Accessibility > Assistive Access, tap Set Up Assistive Access, then tap Continue.
Step 2: Verify the Apple Account
If iPad is signed in to an Apple Account, make sure that the Apple Account shown belongs to the person who will be using Assistive Access.
If the Apple Account shown is incorrect, tap Change Apple Account. Sign out of the Apple Account shown, then sign in to the Apple Account of the person who will be using Assistive Access. If they don’t have an Apple Account, you can create one for them.
Learn how to create a new Apple Account
If you left the Assistive Access setup to make changes to Apple Account settings, go back to Settings 
> Accessibility > Assistive Access to continue.
Step 3: Choose the layout for apps
Choose the layout for apps on the Home Screen and for items in apps that have been specially designed for Assistive Access.
Rows: Onscreen items are arranged in an easily readable list.
Grid: Onscreen items are bigger and arranged in a grid that emphasizes images and icons.
Step 4: Choose and customize apps
Add and customize the apps you want to be available in Assistive Access. You can add apps that have been optimized for Assistive Access, and most other iPadOS apps in their original design.
To add an app, tap 
, then choose options for the app.
Learn how to customize apps that have been optimized for Assistive Access, and how to add other apps:
You can can always add, remove, and customize apps later.
Important: Some features, such as app access permissions and privacy information, work differently in Assistive Access. See Understand certain differences in Assistive Access.
Step 5: Verify the device passcode
Make sure the person using Assistive Access knows the device passcode, if one has been set. The device passcode is the numerical code used to unlock iPad.
You can also set up Face ID or Touch ID (depending on the iPad model) so that the person using iPad can unlock it with their face or a finger or thumb.
To make changes to the device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID, tap Change Security Settings.
Learn how to set up Face ID on iPad
Learn how to set up Touch ID on iPad
If you left Assistive Access setup to make changes to security settings, go back to Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access to continue.
Step 6: Set the Assistive Access passcode
Set the Assistive Access passcode, which you must use to enter or exit Assistive Access.
After you set the Assistive Access passcode, you can enter a recovery Apple Account and password to use to exit Assistive Access and reset the Assistive Access passcode if you forget it. You can skip this step if you don’t have an Apple Account.
Step 7: Learn how to exit Assistive Access
To exit Assistive Access at any time, triple-click the Home button (on an iPad with a Home button) or the top button (on other iPad models), tap Exit Assistive Access, then enter the Assistive Access passcode.
Step 8: Start using Assistive Access
To enter Assistive Access now, tap Start Using Assistive Access, then enter the Assistive Access passcode.
To enter Assistive Access later, go to Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access, tap Start Assistive Access, then enter the Assistive Access passcode.
What’s next
Learn how to use apps that have been designed for Assistive Access, such as Calls, Camera, Messages, and Music.
You can always go back and customize apps and change other system settings. See Change Assistive Access settings.