VoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader that makes your iPhone fully accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. This powerful feature reads aloud everything on your screen and lets you operate your iPhone without having to see the screen. In this article we explain step by step how to activate, configure and get the most out of VoiceOver.

What is VoiceOver and how does it work?

VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader that tells you what's happening on your iPhone screen. When you touch an item, VoiceOver describes it with spoken text. You can then use gestures to navigate the screen and perform actions. VoiceOver works in all the apps that come with your iPhone and in many third-party apps.

The feature is designed specifically for people with a visual impairment, but it can also be useful in situations where you can't look at your screen, for example while driving hands-free or when your hands are full. VoiceOver supports more than 30 languages, including Dutch, and works seamlessly with braille displays.

Turning on VoiceOver on your iPhone

There are several ways to activate VoiceOver on your iPhone. Below we describe the most common methods.

Using the Settings app

The most direct way to turn on VoiceOver is through the Settings app:

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  • Go to Accessibility
  • Tap VoiceOver
  • Turn on the VoiceOver switch

Note: as soon as VoiceOver is on, the way you operate your iPhone changes. A single tap selects an item and reads it aloud, and a double tap activates the selected item.

Using Siri

You can also quickly turn VoiceOver on or off with Siri. Just say "Hey Siri, turn on VoiceOver" or "Hey Siri, turn off VoiceOver". This is especially handy if you want to use VoiceOver temporarily or need help navigating to the settings.

Using the accessibility shortcut

You can set up the side button or Home button as a shortcut to VoiceOver:

  • Go to Settings and then to Accessibility
  • Scroll down and tap Accessibility Shortcut
  • Select VoiceOver from the list

Now you can quickly press the side button or Home button three times to turn VoiceOver on or off.

Basic VoiceOver gestures

When VoiceOver is on, you use special gestures to operate your iPhone. Learning these gestures is essential for a smooth experience.

  • Single tap: Selects an item and reads it aloud
  • Double tap: Activates the selected item
  • Swipe left or right with one finger: Move to the previous or next item
  • Swipe left or right with three fingers: Scroll one page
  • Swipe up or down with three fingers: Scroll up or down

Text input gestures

  • Split tap: Keep one finger on the screen and tap with another finger to type
  • Using the rotor: Rotate two fingers on the screen to open the rotor for extra options
  • Swipe up or down: Change the value of the current rotor setting

Using the VoiceOver rotor

The rotor is a virtual dial that gives you extra navigation options. You open the rotor by placing two fingers on the screen and making a turning motion, as if you were turning a physical dial. The available options depend on the context you're in.

Commonly used rotor settings are:

  • Headings: Navigate between headings on a web page
  • Links: Jump to the next link
  • Words or characters: Read word by word or character by character
  • Speaking rate: Adjust how fast VoiceOver speaks
  • Language: Switch between languages

Adjusting VoiceOver settings

You can configure VoiceOver extensively to suit your own preferences. Go to Settings, then Accessibility and then VoiceOver to adjust the following options:

Adjusting speech

  • Speaking rate: Drag the slider to adjust the speed
  • Voice: Choose a different voice or download additional voices
  • Pronunciation: Add custom pronunciations for specific words
  • Pitch change: Let VoiceOver change the pitch at the first character of a group

Verbosity

Decide how much information VoiceOver gives you. You can choose between a short or detailed description of items, hints and feedback.

Audio

Configure sound effects and haptic feedback. You can choose whether you want to hear sounds for certain actions and whether you want to feel vibrations.

VoiceOver with a braille display

VoiceOver works very well with wireless braille displays. You can pair a braille display with your iPhone via Bluetooth:

  • Turn on your braille display and activate pairing mode
  • On your iPhone, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then VoiceOver and then Braille
  • Select your braille display from the list of Bluetooth devices

After pairing, you can operate your iPhone with the buttons on your braille display and get tactile feedback in braille.

Tips for beginners

If you're just starting out with VoiceOver, here are some tips to make learning easier:

  • Practice in a safe environment: Start by exploring familiar apps before moving on to new ones
  • Use practice mode: Go to the VoiceOver settings and tap VoiceOver Practice to practice gestures
  • Ask for help with setup: Have someone help you with the initial configuration if needed
  • Take your time: It takes a while before the gestures feel natural
  • Take advantage of online courses: Apple offers free guides and videos

Solving common problems

Sometimes you may run into problems when using VoiceOver. Here are solutions for common situations:

VoiceOver isn't responding

If VoiceOver doesn't seem to respond, try restarting your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears, then swipe to turn it off.

The voice sounds strange

Check that the right language and voice are selected in the VoiceOver settings. If needed, download a higher-quality voice while you're connected to Wi-Fi.

Apps don't work well with VoiceOver

Not all apps are fully accessible. Contact the app developer to report accessibility issues, or look for alternative apps that work better with VoiceOver.

Conclusion

VoiceOver makes the iPhone fully accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. With the right settings and a bit of practice, you can use your iPhone just as effectively as someone who can see the screen. The feature is available for free on all iPhones and is constantly being improved by Apple. Take the time to learn the gestures and experiment with the different settings to tailor VoiceOver to your needs.

Frequently asked questions

How do I quickly turn VoiceOver on or off?

You can quickly turn VoiceOver on or off with Siri by saying 'Hey Siri, turn on VoiceOver' or turn it off. You can also quickly press the side button or Home button three times if you've set this up under Settings, Accessibility and Accessibility Shortcut.

Does VoiceOver work with all apps on my iPhone?

VoiceOver works with all standard Apple apps and most third-party apps. However, some apps from outside developers aren't fully optimized for VoiceOver. You can report accessibility issues to the app developer.

Can I use VoiceOver with a braille display?

Yes, VoiceOver supports wireless braille displays via Bluetooth. Go to Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver and then Braille to pair your braille display. You can then navigate and read text in braille.

How do I adjust the VoiceOver speaking rate?

Go to Settings, Accessibility and then VoiceOver. Drag the Speaking Rate slider to adjust the speed. You can also use the rotor by rotating two fingers and then swiping up or down to adjust the speed while you're using it.

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