How to Navigate Your iPhone or iPad with VoiceOver – Complete Guide (2025)
If you or a loved one is visually impaired, VoiceOver is a powerful built-in screen reader on iPhone and iPad that helps you navigate your device without needing to see the screen.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to navigate your iPhone or iPad with VoiceOver, including how to enable it, use key gestures, and customize it for your needs.
What Is VoiceOver on iPhone and iPad?
VoiceOver is Apple’s accessibility feature that reads out what’s on the screen. From reading emails and text messages to identifying app icons, it makes your iPhone or iPad completely usable with gestures and spoken feedback.
How to Turn On VoiceOver
There are several ways to enable VoiceOver on iOS or iPadOS:
Method 1: Use Siri
Just say:
🗣️ “Hey Siri, turn on VoiceOver”
or
🗣️ “Hey Siri, turn off VoiceOver” to disable it later.
Method 2: Use Settings
- Open Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Under Vision, tap VoiceOver
- Toggle the switch ON
You can also go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and choose VoiceOver for quick triple-click access.
Key VoiceOver Gestures You Need to Know
Once VoiceOver is enabled, the way you interact with your screen changes. Here are some essential gestures:
| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Tap once | Select an item (VoiceOver reads it) |
| Double-tap | Activate the selected item |
| Swipe right or left | Move to the next or previous item |
| Three-finger swipe up/down | Scroll up or down |
| Two-finger double tap | Start/stop an action (like music) |
| Three-finger double tap | Toggle speech on/off |
Navigating the iPhone or iPad Screen
Here’s how you can use VoiceOver to navigate your device:
- Home Screen: Swipe right or left to move between apps. Double-tap to open an app.
- Control Center: Swipe down from the top right (iPhone with Face ID) or up from the bottom (older models). Use swipe gestures to select and activate.
- App Navigation: Use swipe gestures to explore buttons, text, or links. VoiceOver will describe each item aloud.
How to Customize VoiceOver Settings
To make VoiceOver work best for you, customize its settings:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver
- Adjust features like:
- Speaking rate
- Verbosity
- Rotor settings
- Braille display support
- VoiceOver Recognition (reads text on images and unlabeled buttons)
Try VoiceOver Practice Mode (under VoiceOver settings) to explore gestures safely without activating anything.
What Is the Rotor in VoiceOver?
The Rotor is a virtual dial you turn by rotating two fingers on the screen, like turning a knob. It allows you to quickly change VoiceOver settings such as:
- Speaking rate
- Navigation options (e.g., by words, lines, headings, links)
- Text selection
- Containers (for moving between sections of an app)
Once set, swipe up or down to use the selected rotor function.
Who Should Use VoiceOver?
VoiceOver is designed for users who:
- Are blind or have low vision
- Prefer audio-based navigation
- Need assistance identifying on-screen content
- Want hands-free, screen-free control of their iOS device
Whether you’re visually impaired or helping someone who is, VoiceOver on iPhone and iPad offers full control of the device without needing to see the screen. With a little practice, you can access apps, browse the web, send texts, and more all through intuitive gestures and voice feedback.
Make accessibility a part of your daily digital life by exploring what VoiceOver can do.