Before you start
- An iPhone, Android phone, Windows PC or Mac with up-to-date software
| Device | Where to go | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone and iPad | Settings > Accessibility | VoiceOver, Zoom, Display & Text Size, Live Captions, Voice Control, AssistiveTouch, Hearing Devices |
| Android | Settings > Accessibility | TalkBack, Magnification, Text and display, Live Caption, Accessibility Menu, Voice Access, Hearing devices |
| Windows 11 | Settings > Accessibility | Text size, Magnifier, Narrator, Live captions, Voice access, Colour filters |
| Mac | System Settings > Accessibility | VoiceOver, Zoom, Display, Live Captions, Voice Control, Hearing Devices |
Method 1 Vision: see the screen more easily
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Step 1: Make text larger and bolder
Increase text size and turn on bold text. On iPhone go to Accessibility > Display & Text Size; on Android, Accessibility > Text and display (or Display size and text); on Windows, Accessibility > Text size; on Mac, Accessibility > Display (or Text Size in macOS Sonoma and later).
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Step 2: Magnify the screen
Turn on Zoom (iPhone, Mac) or Magnification (Android). On Windows, press Windows key + plus (+) to open Magnifier and Windows key + Esc to close it.
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Step 3: Use a screen reader
Screen readers read everything aloud and let you control the device by gestures or keys: VoiceOver on iPhone and Mac (Cmd + F5 on Mac), TalkBack on Android, and Narrator on Windows (Windows key + Ctrl + Enter). Gestures change when they’re on, so learn how to turn them off first.
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Step 4: Adjust colour and contrast
Turn on dark mode, increase contrast, or use colour filters for colour blindness.
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Step 5: Use your phone as a magnifying glass
iPhone has a Magnifier app, and Android phones often have one in Accessibility or the camera, for reading small print.
Method 2 Hearing: captions and hearing devices
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Step 1: Turn on live captions
Live captions show text for speech in videos, calls and other audio. Turn on Live Captions on iPhone and Mac, Live Caption on Android, or Live captions on Windows 11 (Windows key + Ctrl + L).
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Step 2: Use visual alerts
Turn on LED or screen flash for notifications (iPhone: Accessibility > Audio & Visual; Android: Accessibility > Flash notifications on many phones).
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Step 3: Pair hearing devices
Connect compatible hearing aids under Accessibility > Hearing Devices on iPhone or Accessibility > Hearing devices on Android.
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Step 4: Balance and mono audio
If you hear better on one side, turn on mono audio and adjust left/right balance.
Method 3 Mobility and touch: control without precise taps
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Step 1: Use voice control
Control your device by speaking: Voice Control on iPhone and Mac, Voice Access on Android, and Voice access on Windows 11.
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Step 2: Add an on-screen menu
AssistiveTouch on iPhone and the Accessibility Menu on Android add a floating button for actions like volume, screenshots and the home button.
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Step 3: Adjust touch settings
Change how long you need to hold, ignore repeated touches, or turn off shake to undo if tremors cause accidental actions.
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Step 4: Use keyboard aids
On computers, Sticky Keys lets you press shortcuts one key at a time, and Filter Keys ignores brief or repeated keystrokes.
Method 4 Set up quick shortcuts
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Step 1: iPhone
Go to Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and choose features to turn on by triple-clicking the side (or Home) button.
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Step 2: Android
In each feature’s settings, turn on its shortcut, such as holding both volume keys or an accessibility button on screen.
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Step 3: Windows and Mac
Use the keyboard shortcuts above, or add accessibility options to the quick settings (Windows) or Control Centre and menu bar (Mac).
Troubleshooting
My phone stopped responding normally after turning on a feature
You probably turned on VoiceOver or TalkBack. Use the shortcut (triple-click the side button on iPhone, or hold both volume keys for a few seconds on Android) or ask Siri or Google Assistant to turn it off.
The screen is zoomed in and stuck
On iPhone, double-tap the screen with three fingers to zoom out. On Android, triple-tap or use the magnification shortcut again.
Live captions aren’t showing
Check your device and language are supported, the feature is turned on, and that media volume isn’t muted.
Frequently asked questions
Are accessibility features free?
Yes, they’re built into iPhone, Android, Windows and macOS at no extra cost.
Do accessibility settings slow down my device?
Generally not noticeably on modern devices.
Can I use these features on a tablet?
Yes, iPads and Android tablets have the same accessibility options.
Summary
Open the Accessibility section of Settings on any device. Make text larger, use Zoom or Magnifier, and try a screen reader for vision; turn on live captions and pair hearing devices for hearing; and use voice control or on-screen menus for mobility. Set up a shortcut so your favourite features are always one step away.
