You can use VoiceOver on Apple Watch — here’s how!
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VoiceOver is one of Apple's best Accessibility features since it lets you find out what's on the screen without actually seeing it.
With VoiceOver, those who have vision difficulties can still use Apple Watch. In doing so, simple gestures are used to move around the Apple Watch screen while a VoiceOver narrator speaks each time an item is selected.
- How to set up VoiceOver for Apple Watch
- How to use Screen Curtain with VoiceOver
- Other VoiceOver settings
How to set up VoiceOver for Apple Watch
VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader that uses the built-in Apple Watch speaker. In doing so, it can tell you what's happening on the wearable device without the need to see it. To date, VoiceOver is compatible across built-in apps and is available in more than 35 languages. To turn on VoiceOver on Apple Watch:
- Tap on the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Choose Accessibility.
- To the right of VoiceOver, tap Off.
Toggle VoiceOver to the On position.
When you tap on Apple Watch, you'll now hear more about what's happening on the screen. Double-tap to perform an action.
For example, if you tap on the Exercise app, Siri will say "Workout." By double-tapping the same icon, you'll be given a choice of the options within that app.
How to use VoiceOver
When you tap on Apple Watch, you'll now hear more about what's happening on the screen. Double-tap to perform an action.
For example, if you tap on the Exercise app, Siri will say "Workout." By double-tapping the same icon, you'll be given a choice of the options within that app.
How to use Screen Curtain with VoiceOver
Across Apple devices, you can use the Screen Curtain, which allows you to turn off the display for added privacy. To use Screen Curtain on Apple Watch (or any device), you must first enable VoiceOver for that device.
- Tap on the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Choose Accessibility.
- To the right of VoiceOver, tap Off.
Toggle VoiceOver to the On position.
Toggle on Screen Curtain.
From now on, your Apple Watch display is off. You can only use the wearable device by listening to VoiceOver. Untoggle Screen Curtain to turn the feature off.
Other VoiceOver settings
You can make other adjustments on how VoiceOver operates on Apple Watch. On the VoiceOver page shown above, you can perform the following additional tasks:
- Speaking rate: Drag the Speaking Rate slider to change how quickly or slowly the voice speaks.
- VoiceOver Volume: Drag to increase or slower the volume for VoiceOver.
- Speak on Wrist Raise toggle: Turn on Speak on Wrist Raise.
As you can see, Apple offers a number of visual accessibility features on Apple Watch through VoiceOver. Many of these are customizable to suit your tastes.
Questions?
Did you have any trouble using any of these visual accessibility settings? Give us a shout in the comments with your questions and thoughts!
Updated May 2020: Includes latest Apple Watch information.