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 Safari , Maps , and more. With VoiceOver Recognition, you can get descriptions of images and screen elements even on webpages and in apps without accessibility information.

Browse the web in Safari

Search the web: Select the address field, double-tap to show the keyboard, then enter a search term, phrase, or URL. Double-tap Go, or 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.

Navigate in Maps

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: Select the map, then swipe with three fingers.
Browse locations and pins on the map: Select the map, set the rotor to Points of Interest, then swipe up or down with one finger.
Follow a road: Hold your finger down on the road, wait until you hear “pause to follow,” then move your finger along the road.
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.
Get guidance to the starting point: When you start walking directions in Maps, iPad guides you in the direction of the starting point using sound.

Read PDFs

In the Books and Files apps, you can use VoiceOver to read PDFs. VoiceOver even describes detailed information—such as forms, tables, and lists.

Trim voice memo recordings

In the Voice Memos app, you can use VoiceOver to edit recordings.

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, double-tap and hold, 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.

Hear data in Weather maps

Some maps in the Weather app are encoded to allow you to hear the data as a changing tone or pitch. For example, as intensity of weather condition changes in a visual animation on screen, you can have these described using variations in sound.

With VoiceOver turned on, open the Weather app.
Open a location page with a precipitation, wind, or air quality map.
Double-tap and hold the map until you hear a tone or the words “Weather Map Snapshot.” If you hear spoken instructions, follow them.
As you run your finger or pointer over a sonified map, the pitch shifts to represent the changing values.

Read math equations

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.

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

Important: VoiceOver Recognition should not be relied upon in circumstances where you could be harmed or injured, in high-risk situations, for navigation, or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.

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