# Getting started with VoiceOver on iOS

DevFeed: [Getting started with VoiceOver on iOS](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/getting-started-with-voiceover-on-ios-9389.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://a11yproject.com/posts/getting-started-with-voiceover-ios/>)

Author: Anh Pham

Published: 2020-11-23T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [The A11Y Project](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/the-a11y-project.md>)

Topics: [Accessibility](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/accessibility.md>), [iOS](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ios.md>), [iphone](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/iphone.md>), [macOS](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/macos.md>)

Tags: [accessibility](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/accessibility.md>), [apple](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apple.md>), [developers](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/developers.md>), [getting-started](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/getting-started.md>), [guide](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/guide.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [ios](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ios.md>), [iphone](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/iphone.md>), [macos](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/macos.md>), [testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/testing.md>), [vision](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/vision.md>)

## AI overview

A practical introduction to VoiceOver, Apple's built-in screen reader on iOS. The article explains how VoiceOver communicates interface information through speech and gestures, how to enable it and configure an Accessibility Shortcut, and how to use basic gestures and the VoiceOver Rotor. It also recommends that developers test their projects with VoiceOver.

## Source excerpt

VoiceOver is a screen-reading tool built into Apple Inc.'s iOS. It helps people navigate and use their iPhone without needing to see the screen. First introduced in 2009 with the iPod Shuffle and iPhone 3GS, VoiceOver has been in the picture in every Apple's iOS release ever since. For developers, it is always a good idea to test out VoiceOver with your project on your chosen testing device. There is also VoiceOver for macOS - a separate screen reader from VoiceOver iOS. If interested, you can check out Mat Marquis's detailed guide to macOS VoiceOver! How does VoiceOver work? On an iPhone, VoiceOver responds to gestures (single tap, double tap, et cetera) and audibly communicates to us all the information we need to know (for example, what we have selected or done, the hints, values and traits of the items). How to start using VoiceOver on iOS The easiest way to turn on VoiceOver on your iPhone is to: Open Settings app on your iPhone. Select Accessibility. Under Vision, select VoiceOver. Turn on VoiceOver. You can also make it easier to activate/deactivate VoiceOver and use it frequently, by adding an Accessibility Shortcut: Open Settings app on your iPhone. Select Accessibility. Under General, select Accessibility Shortcut. Select VoiceOver. Then you can toggle VoiceOver feature on or off by triple clicking the side button (on iPhone X or later). If it is an earlier version of iPhone, triple click the Home button. You can also ask Siri to turn on VoiceOver on or off instantly by saying "Hey Siri, turn on VoiceOver!" or "Hey Siri, turn off VoiceOver!". Basic VoiceOver gestures Here are some common gestures you can use to navigate our iPhone with VoiceOver: Gesture Description Touch the screen anywhere Hear an item Drag finger on screen Explore items Quickly flick left or right with one finger Locate items or apps Double tap Select and activate app, link or button Triple tap Double tap items Tap once with two fingers Pause VoiceOver Swipe up from bottom edge (ends wi