Use VoiceOver in apps on iPad

You can use VoiceOver to interact with apps, even if you can’t see the screen. VoiceOver is supported in the built-in Apple apps that came with your iPad—such as Maps , Camera , Photos , Voice Memos , Safari , and more. With VoiceOver Recognition, you can get descriptions of images and screen elements even on webpages and in apps without accessibility information.

Read PDF documents in Apple Books or Files using VoiceOver

VoiceOver can read detailed information—such as forms, tables, and lists—in PDF documents.

Browse the web in Safari using VoiceOver

Search the web: Select the address field, double-tap to invoke the keyboard, then enter a search term, phrase, or URL. Select a search suggestion, then double-tap.
Skip to the next element on a webpage: Set the rotor to the element type—such as headings, links, and form controls—then swipe up or down.
Set the rotor settings for web browsing: Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor. Select or deselect items, or drag up or down to reposition an item.
Skip images while navigating: Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Navigate Images. You can choose to skip all images or only those without descriptions.
Reduce page clutter for easier reading and navigation: In the Safari address field, select the Format Options button, double-tap, select Show Reader View (not available for all webpages), then double-tap.

Tip: If you use an Apple external keyboard with iPad, you can use single-key Quick Nav for web browsing.

Read math equations using VoiceOver

VoiceOver can read math equations on the web (encoded using MathML) and in supported Apple apps such as Numbers and Keynote.

Hear an equation: Have VoiceOver read the text as usual. VoiceOver says “math” before it starts reading an equation.
Explore the equation: Double-tap the selected equation to display it in full screen and move through it one element at a time. Swipe left or right to read elements of the equation. Use the rotor to select Symbols, Small Expressions, Medium Expressions, or Large Expressions, then swipe up or down to hear the next element of that size. You can continue to double-tap the selected element to “drill down” into the equation to focus on the selected element, then swipe left or right, or up or down, to read one part at a time.

Equations spoken by VoiceOver can also be output to a braille device using Nemeth Code, as well as the codes used by Unified English Braille, British English, French, and Greek. See Use a braille display with VoiceOver on iPad.

Navigate in Maps using VoiceOver

Control how the map tracks your current location: Select , then double-tap until you hear the tracking option you want.
- Tracking on: The map automatically centers on your current location.
- Tracking on with heading: The map automatically centers on your current location and rotates so that the heading you’re facing is at the top of the screen. In this mode, iPad speaks street names and points of interest as you approach them.
- Tracking off: The map doesn’t automatically center on your current location.
Explore the map: Drag your finger around the screen, or swipe left or right to move to another item.
Zoom in or out: Select the map, set the rotor to Zoom, then swipe up or down with one finger.
Pan the map: Swipe with three fingers.
Browse points of interest shown on the map: Set the rotor to Points of Interest, then swipe up or down with one finger.
Get information about a location: Select the location (for example, a business, landmark or pin), then double-tap to open the information card. Swipe left or right to hear information such as directions, street address, phone number, business hours, and customer reviews.

Take photos and videos in Camera using VoiceOver

When you use Camera, VoiceOver describes objects in the viewfinder.

To take a photo or start, pause, or resume a video recording, double-tap the screen with two fingers.

Trim videos in Photos using VoiceOver

Select the video you want to trim, then double-tap.
Select Edit, then double-tap.
Select Start or End (on the media scrubber), then swipe up or down to adjust the start or end time.
When you’re finished, select Done, then double-tap.

Trim recordings in Voice Memos using VoiceOver

Select the recording you want to trim, then double-tap.
Select Edit at the top right, then double-tap.
Select , then double-tap.
In the Waveform Overview, select Trim Beginning or Trim End, then swipe up or down to adjust the start or end time.
Select Trim, then double-tap.
Select Save, then double-tap.
Select Done, then double-tap.

Use VoiceOver Recognition on the web or in apps without accessibility information

Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > VoiceOver Recognition.
Turn on any of the following:
- Image Descriptions: Get descriptions of images in apps and on the web.
- Screen Recognition: Get descriptions of screen elements in apps.
- Text Recognition: Get descriptions of text found in images.
Tap Feedback Style, then choose Speak, Play Sound, or Do Nothing.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide