iPhone Accessibility Setup Wizard

Configure iPhone accessibility for vision, hearing, motor, or cognitive needs. Personalized step-by-step setup based on your situation. iOS includes 100+ accessibility features — find what helps.

Tell us about accessibility needs

Who is this setup for? Primary accessibility area Additional considerations (check all) Apple devices available Tech comfort level

Your Accessibility Setup Plan

iPhone Accessibility Categories

Category	Key features
Vision	VoiceOver, Zoom, Magnifier, Display & Text Size, Spoken Content, Audio Descriptions, Color Filters, Hover Text
Hearing	Hearing Aids, Live Listen, Mono Audio, Background Sounds, Headphone Accommodations, Live Captions, Visual + Vibration Notifications
Mobility / Motor	AssistiveTouch, Voice Control, Switch Control, Touch Accommodations, Keyboards, Apple Pencil, Eye Tracking
Cognitive	Guided Access, Assistive Access (iOS 17+), Reading Tools, Spoken Content, Reduced Motion, Magnifier with Reading Mode
Speech	Personal Voice, Live Speech, Type to Siri
General	Triple-Click Side Button shortcut, Accessibility Shortcut, AssistiveTouch, Back Tap

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I quickly toggle accessibility features?Settings → Accessibility → Accessibility Shortcut → choose features → triple-click Side Button (or Home button on older iPhones) to toggle quickly.

Can I have multiple accessibility features active at once?Yes. VoiceOver + Zoom + Mono Audio can all be enabled simultaneously. They work together.

Does Apple Watch have its own accessibility settings?Yes — Settings → Accessibility on your Apple Watch (or via Watch app on iPhone). Includes VoiceOver, Zoom, Mono Audio, Larger Text, Reduce Motion.

How do I set up iPhone for an elderly parent?Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → enable Bold Text + Larger Text. Settings → Accessibility → Touch → AssistiveTouch ON. Add emergency contacts in Health app Medical ID. Use Family Sharing for location + remote setup.

What's the difference between Guided Access and Assistive Access?Guided Access locks iPhone to a single app (good for kids or specific tasks). Assistive Access (iOS 17+) is a simplified iPhone interface with large icons + reduced features (designed for cognitive accessibility).

Are accessibility features the same on iPhone and iPad?Mostly yes — same VoiceOver, Zoom, Magnifier, Switch Control. iPad has additional Pencil-related accessibility.

Does using accessibility features cost extra?No — all built into iOS at no charge. Some hardware accessories (switches, eye trackers) cost extra.

How do I record my voice for Personal Voice?Settings → Accessibility → Personal Voice → Create a Personal Voice. Reads 150 prompts; takes ~30 minutes total. Recommended before voice loss for ALS, neurological conditions.

Apple Accessibility Resources

Apple Accessibility Support: apple.com/accessibility
1-800-275-2273: Apple Accessibility Support phone line (24/7)
Apple Disability community: Reddit r/Apple_Accessibility
Apple Vis (low vision): applevis.com — community resources
Apple Genius Bar: Free in-store accessibility setup appointments
Today at Apple: Free accessibility classes at Apple Stores
Apple Newsroom: Accessibility section for new features each year

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