Accessibility features for iPod, iPhone, and iPad

iPod, iPhone, and iPad include many accessibility features that make it easier to use your device if you have visual, auditory, or other physical disabilities.

The following accessibility features are available on iPod touch (3rd generation or later), iPhone 3GS (or later), and iPad:

  • VoiceOver

  • Zoom

  • Invert Colors

  • Mono Audio

  • Speak Auto-text

These accessibility features work with all apps preinstalled on the devices, as well as many apps downloaded from the App Store (VoiceOver works with many, but not all, third-party apps).

iPod nano (6th generation) also includes VoiceOver, White on Black, and Mono Audio. In addition, you can turn on spoken menus for iPod nano (4th or 5th generation).

Turn on accessibility features

  1. Connect your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to your computer and select your device.

  2. Click the Summary button.

  3. Click Configure Universal Access (below Options).

  4. Select the accessibility features you want to use, and click OK.

  5. Click Apply.

You can also turn accessibility features on or off using the Accessibility settings on your device. For more information, see the documentation that came with your device.

Turn on spoken menus for iPod nano (4th or 5th generation)

You can use spoken menus with iPod nano (4th or 5th generation) to hear information about the selected song, such as title, artist, and album.

  1. Connect your iPod nano to your computer and select your device.

  2. Click the Summary button.

  3. Select “Enable spoken menus for accessibility” or “Enable Spoken Menus.”

    If you have VoiceOver turned on in OS X Universal Access preferences, this option is selected by default.

  4. Click Apply.

After your iPod nano syncs with iTunes, you can use spoken menus on your iPod nano. If spoken menus are turned on, it might take longer to sync your iPod nano.

Install the VoiceOver Kit and enable VoiceOver on your iPod

VoiceOver makes it easy to navigate through your content by announcing the names of playlists, songs, artists, and more. To hear these announcements, you need to install the VoiceOver Kit and enable VoiceOver in iTunes.

Note:  If you have an iPod nano (6th generation), follow the instructions in "Turn on accessibility features," above, to turn on VoiceOver and other accessibility features.

  1. Connect your iPod to your computer and select your device.

  2. Click the Summary button.

  3. Select Enable VoiceOver, and click Apply.

  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the VoiceOver Kit.

  5. Select VoiceOver settings.

  6. Click Apply to sync your iPod with iTunes.

    When syncing is complete, VoiceOver is on. To change your settings later, click the Summary button while your iPod is connected.

Turn off VoiceOver

  1. Connect your iPod to your computer and select your device.

  2. Click the Summary button.

  3. Deselect Enable VoiceOver.

  4. Click Apply to sync your iPod with iTunes.

    When syncing is complete, VoiceOver is turned off.