Getting Started with VoiceOver for iOS
VoiceOver is Apple screen reader for watchOS, iOS, iPodOS, iPadOS, macOS. tvOS, visionOS.
In this article, will go over VooiceOver for iOS, iPodOS, and iPadOS.
Turn on VoiceOver
An easy way to turn on or off VoiceOver is to ask Siri, “Toggle VoiceOver.”
- Open Settings
- Scroll down and tap on Accessibility
- Tap VoiceOver
- Enable VoiceOver
If your device is running an older iOS, Accessibility settings are found in General.
Basic Gestures
VoiceOver alters the gestures you use to interact with the device.
- Tap once to select an item.
- Double-tap to activate the selected item.
- Triple-tap to perform a Long Press (press and hold).
- Swipe right or left to move to the next item or previous item.
- Swipe up and down with three fingers to scroll the page.
- Double-tap with two fingers to activate Magic Tap*
- Double-tap with three fingers to toggle the VoiceOver speech.
- Triple-tap with three fingers to toggle Screen Curtain.
*Magic Tap is used to play and pause media.
Basic Navigation
VoiceOver also alters the way you navigate your device between apps and various screens such as accessing Control or Notification Center.
- Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen on the navigation bar with one finger deliberately until you feel the first vibration and confirming sound effect to go home.
- Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen on the navigation bar with one finger until you feel the second vibration and confirming sound effect to access the App Switcher.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen until you feel the first vibration and confirming sound effect to open Control Center.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen until you feel the second vibration and confirming sound effect to open Notification Center.
- Rotate two fingers clockwise on the screen to move to the next rotor* and counter-clockwise to move to the previous rotor*.
- Double-tap with two fingers on opposite sides of the display to enable Braille Screen Input*.
*The Rotor is the VoiceOver menu of modes.
*Braille Screen Input is a VoiceOver feature to allow the user to type using braille instead of the normal touchscreen keyboard.
Learn More VoiceOver Features & Settings
Learn how to customize your VoiceOver's voice: VoiceOver Speech - Languages and Voices >
Learn how to customize the VoiceOver gestures: Customize the VoiceOver Gestures >
Learn about the Rotor and how to customize it: The VoiceOver Rotor >
Learn about Braille Screen Input Braille Screen Input for VoiceOver on iOS >
Last updated: May 30, 2025
Reference the original support article by Apple here: Turn on and Practice VoiceOver on iPhone - Apple Support
All references to Apple Inc. and their products and services are trade-marked and are used in these articles for educational purposes.