Apple unveils new accessibility features, and updates with Apple Intelligence - Apple

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PRESS RELEASE

May 19, 2026

Apple unveils new accessibility features, and updates powered by Apple Intelligence

With Apple Intelligence, detailed descriptions and natural language navigation are coming to features such as VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader

Apple also announced new features for controlling power wheelchairs with Apple Vision Pro and generating subtitles across the Apple ecosystem, all coming later this year

Now with Apple Intelligence, VoiceOver is more powerful than ever in helping users who are blind or have low vision explore their surroundings and onscreen images.

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today previewed a suite of accessibility updates that use Apple Intelligence to bring new capabilities to features users rely on every day, including VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader.1 Apple also announced on-device generated subtitles for uncaptioned video content coming to the Apple ecosystem, as well as a new feature for Apple Vision Pro users to control compatible wheelchairs with their eyes. These new features, as well as updates using Apple Intelligence, are coming later this year. And starting today, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone — an adaptive MagSafe accessory designed with accessibility at the core — is available in three vibrant new colors on the Apple Store online.

“Apple’s approach to accessibility is unlike any other,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Now, with Apple Intelligence, we are bringing powerful new capabilities into our accessibility features while maintaining our foundational commitment to privacy by design.”

“The accessibility features our users rely on every day become even more powerful with Apple Intelligence,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “With these updates, we’re bringing new, intuitive options for input, exploration, and personalization — designed to protect users’ privacy at every step.”

VoiceOver and Magnifier Can Explore More

For users who are blind or have low vision, VoiceOver and Magnifier can describe onscreen information or a user’s surroundings.2 With Apple Intelligence, these essential tools become even more powerful. The Image Explorer in VoiceOver uses Apple Intelligence to give more detailed descriptions of images systemwide, including what’s in photographs, scanned bills, personal records, and other visual content. With updates to Live Recognition, VoiceOver users can press the Action button on iPhone to quickly ask a question about what’s in the camera viewfinder and get a detailed response. Users can also ask follow-up questions in their own words to get more visual information.

Magnifier uses Apple Intelligence to bring the same assistive exploration and visual description to a high-contrast interface designed for users who have low vision. Magnifier also works with the Action button so users can quickly ask questions and get answers. And users can control the app itself with spoken requests, such as “zoom in” or “turn on flashlight.”

Apple Intelligence-powered updates to Magnifier bring the same assistive exploration and visual description to a high-contrast interface designed for users who have low vision.

Voice Control Gets Natural Language

With Apple Intelligence, Voice Control becomes more intuitive than ever, using natural language to help users with a range of physical disabilities navigate iPhone and iPad entirely by voice. With a new flexible input, users can describe onscreen buttons and controls with natural language instead of memorizing exact labels or numbers. The option to “say what you see” is great for navigating any app, including those with visual layouts such as Apple Maps or Files, using intuitive language like “tap the guide about best restaurants” or “tap the purple folder.” This can also help users overcome barriers when elements aren’t properly labeled for accessibility.3

With Apple Intelligence, Voice Control becomes more intuitive than ever, using natural language to help users navigate apps and experiences.

Accessibility Reader Adapts Even More

Accessibility Reader is a customized reading experience for users with a wide range of disabilities, from dyslexia to low vision, and with Apple Intelligence, the reading experience is more accessible than ever. Accessibility Reader works on more complex source material like scientific articles, handling text with multiple columns, images, and tables. On-demand summaries provide readers the option to get an overview of the article before diving into the details. And with new built-in translation, users can read text in their native language while retaining custom formatting, font, and colors.

Accessibility Reader works on more complex source material like scientific articles, handling text with multiple columns, images, and...