Getting Started with VoiceOver

This quick and accessible guide will help users get started with VoiceOver, which is a free screen reader that can be used on iOS devices.

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VoiceOver (VO) is used on all Apple Products. VoiceOver will read everything on the screen, including text, links, and picture descriptions. It is key to note that not all texts and websites are accessible using a screen reader. This guide has quick, helpful hints to help you get started with VoiceOver; it does not exhaust all the features VO has to offer. Mac’s have an in-built training for VoiceOver. You can access this by going to your VO settings. (System Settings – Accessibility – VoiceOver) Select ‘Open VoiceOver Training’ for a get-started walkthrough.

Turning VoiceOver On/Off

Laptop/Keyboard

Press Command and F5 (turns on and/or off).
Go to System Settings – Accessibility – VoiceOver – Turn on/off.

Phone/iPad

Using Siri – “hey Siri, turn voice over on” This can also be used to turn off.
Go to Settings – Accessibility – VoiceOver – Turn on and/or off.

General Navigation

VO is the keyboard combination Control + Option.

Laptop/Keyboard

Read all: VO + A.
Navigate through items: VO + left or right arrow keys.
Navigate to next selectable item: Tab (Shift + Tab goes back 1 selectable item).
Select an item: VO + Spacebar.
Pause/Stop Reading: Control.
Interact with an area or group: VO + Shift + down arrow.
Exit an area or group: VO + Shift + up arrow.

Phone/iPad

Drag your finger over the screen – VO speaks the items you touch.
Move to next item: Swipe left or right.
Select an item: Double tap.
Read entire screen: Two-finger swipe up.
Pause/Stop reading: Two-finger tap.

Helpful Shortcuts

Help menu: VO + H.
Jump to next heading: VO + Command + H.
Cycle through links, headings, window spots, tables, landmarks, and form controls: VO + U.
Cycle through settings (rate, pitch, volume, language): VO + Command + Shift + left/right.
Turn screen curtain on/off (laptop/keyboard): VO + Shift + fn + F11.
Turn screen curtain on/off (iPhone/iPad): Triple-tap with three fingers.

For a more comprehensive list of VoiceOver keyboard commands on a Mac, visit: Get started with VoiceOver on Mac - Apple Support.

For a more comprehensive list of VoiceOver keyboard commands on an iPhone/iPad, visit: Learn VoiceOver gestures on iPhone - Apple Support.

Assistive technology

Compensatory access