There’s nothing wrong with needing a little help from time to time.
Apple are fantastic for many reasons. They boast the very best camera technology around, superfast 5G, durable designs and displays that dazzle.
What nobody seems to be talking about are the accessibility features available to iPhone users.
Whether you have trouble hearing, have to wear glasses or have limited mobility, Apple have designed a number of features to help support you and give you the same incredible mobile experience.
Here are 10 of their best.
1) Listen with your ears.
VoiceOver is an incredible screen reader that will speak directly to you and describe all of the wonderful things that are happening on your iPhone.
Auditory descriptions will help you to navigate your iPhone much easier and will ensure you never miss a single moment of the action.
It also boasts clever technology that make it easier for those who use braille. VoiceOver will provide descriptions in braille when you connect a refreshable braille display via Bluetooth.
You can also directly input braille onto your display using Braille Screen Input. All of the Braille features can be found in Settings on your iPhone.
1) Head to Settings.
2) Select Accessibility.
3) Tap VoiceOver.
4) Select Braille.
Braille will automatically be converted to text in an onscreen panel so that VoiceOver can take the reins.
There are over 70 refreshable braille displays compatible with iOS meaning you’ll not struggle to find one that’s perfect for you.
2) Use your camera to get close.
Magnifier is a handy feature that will make daily tasks so much simpler. It does pretty much what it says on the tin – magnifies.
It works by using the camera on your iPhone to increase the size of any object you point it at.
Struggling to read a menu in that fancy restaurant you love? On a city break and notice that all the signs are all in tiny writing? You’re in luck.
You can even use your camera’s flash as a torch so you can magnify even when it’s dark outside.
1) Head to Settings.
2) Go to Accessibility.
3) Tap Magnifier.
3) Bring your screen closer to you.
There’s nothing worse than when you’re trying to read something on your screen and having to squint your eyes.
Apple have recognised this and brought you the Zoom feature. Zoom is a screen magnifier that lets you choose from a number of options.
Full-screen magnification will zoom in on your entire screen. Picture-in-picture view will show your chosen area magnified in a separate window, while the rest of your screen will remain the same.
4) Less of the theatricals.
Your iPhone has a number of different motions and movements but there’s a way you can reduce this to support those with motion sensitivity and to offer less eye strain.
Reduce Motion is a feature designed to decrease the motions when you switch between apps or launch them.
1) Head to Settings.
2) Tap Accessibility.
3) Select Reduce Motion.
5) Read as you watch.
Audio descriptions are here to make your favourite films and TV so much more fun. If you have trouble hearing what’s going on, this is the feature for you.
Select which film or show you want to watch, check for the AD icon underneath and then select it to turn on audio descriptions.
6) The best view in the house.
Apple have thought of everything. Not only do they produce the best displays for streaming, they’ve added extra features to make it more accessible for you.
Apple let you choose from a range of colour filters, bettering the Apple experience for those who are colour blind.
You can also choose to activate inverted colours – which some of you may recognise as light or dark mode. This is also perfect for those late nights when you’re tucked up in bed and don’t want to strain your eyes while you do one last browse!
7) Bigger is better.
You can increase the size of the text on your iPhone so that you don’t have to squint every time you want to read a text message or send an email.
The best bit about this is that you don’t have to choose between big and small, an accessibility slider lets you choose from multiple sizes.
1) Head to Settings.
2) Tap Accessibility.
3) Select Display & Text size.
4) Choose Larger text.
8) Make things easier on your eyes.
There’s always been a battle between iPhone users over which is best, light mode or dark mode. For many people it’s all about preference, however dark mode is actually an excellent accessibility feature.
It transforms everything on your display into a dark colour scheme which makes reading a whole lot easier.
1) Head to Settings.
2) Go to Display & Brightness.
3) Select Dark Mode.
9) Have the last word.
Dictation is a substitute for having to type out your messages and the best bit is that it works in over 40 languages.
When you open up email or iMessage, you have the option to access dictation. There is a microphone button that you can press which allows you to speak your text into your mobile.
This saves you the hassle of having to type out your messages and is great for those who struggle to use their iPhone keyboard.
10) Your own personal assistant.
We’ve saved the best until last people. We feel that Siri is hugely overlooked and is actually the ultimate accessibility feature.
Siri can help you complete those everyday tasks that you find difficult. This can be anything from setting alarms, sending texts, making calls and more.
All you need to do is press and hold your lock button or home button on older devices and your wish is Siri’s command – like a modern day Aladdin.
A mobile that’s accessible for everyone.
There’s nothing wrong with needing a little help from time to time and these features are certainly set to make things easier for you.
If you want to explore all of these features on a new iPhone, you’re in luck. We’ve got unmissable prices on the very best from Apple – just waiting for you to snap them up.