Read or listen to text in apps with Accessibility Reader on iPhone

With Accessibility Reader on iPhone, you can read or listen to text in a full-screen view, and customize fonts, layouts, and background colors. You can use Accessibility Reader with any app on your iPhone. Accessibility Reader is also built into the Magnifier app , so you can customize text in your surroundings—like in restaurant menus or books. See view your captured text in a format for easier reading and listen to your captured text.

The Accessibility Reader screen showing text from Files displayed with large text on a black background.

Turn on and use Accessibility Reader

  1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.

  2. Tap Accessibility, then tap Read & Speak.

  3. Tap Accessibility Reader, then turn on Accessibility Reader.

    Turn on Autoplay if you want Accessibility Reader to automatically read text aloud.

  4. To start using Accessibility Reader, do either of the following:

    • Use the Accessibility Shortcut: Open an app, triple-click the side button on your iPhone, then tap Accessibility Reader.

      Note: To learn how to add Accessibility Reader to your Accessibility Shortcuts, see Use the Accessibility Shortcut.

    • Use Control Center: Open an app, open Control Center, then tap Accessibility Reader.

      Note: To learn how to add Accessibility Reader to your Control Center, see Customize controls.

Customize text color, font, and spacing in apps

  1. Open any app on your iPhone, then open Accessibility Reader.

    See Turn on and use Accessibility Reader.

    Note: Accessibility Reader alerts you if no text is detected.

  2. Tap the More button, then tap the Customize Reader button.

  3. Select a theme, then tap Edit.

  4. Do any of the following:

    • Text Color: Choose a color or tap Custom Color.

    • Background Color: Choose a color or tap Custom Color.

    • Text Size: Drag the slider left or right to make the text smaller or larger.

    • Font: Choose a font.

    • High Legibility Characters: Turn on High Legibility Characters.

      Note: This option is only available when using System Font.

    • Bold Text: Turn on Bold Text.

    • Line Spacing: Choose the Default button, the Loose button, or the Open button to customize the space between lines.

    • Word Spacing: Choose the Default button, the Loose button, or the Open button to customize the space between words.

    • Character Spacing: Choose the Default button, the Loose button, or the Open button to customize the space between characters.

    • Hyperlinks: Turn Show Links on or off. When you turn on Show Links, you can customize the color.

    • Playback: Turn Highlighting on or off. When you turn on Highlighting, you can customize the style or highlight color.

    • Rename: Enter a name for the settings you choose.

    • Reset to Default: Reset all themes to their default settings.

    Tip: Rename a theme with your custom settings so you can easily find it and reuse it later.

Listen to spoken text in apps

  1. Open any app on your iPhone, then open Accessibility Reader.

    See Turn on and use Accessibility Reader.

    Note: Accessibility Reader alerts you if no text is detected.

  2. Do any of the following:

    • Listen to the text: Tap the Play button.

    • Pause the text: Tap the Pause button.

    • Skip backward or forward: Tap the Rewind button or the Forward button.

    • Increase or decrease the speed: Tap the Speaking Rate One Times button, then select a speed.

    • Go to a specific time: Drag the slider left or right.

      Note: You can hide or show audio controls in Accessibility Reader: Tap the More button, then tap the Hide Audio Controls button.

See alsoAccessibility features for vision on iPhoneAccessibility features for hearing on iPhoneZoom in on the iPhone screenView a larger version of text you’re reading or typing on iPhoneHear iPhone speak the screen, selected text, and typing feedback
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