Apple has often put an emphasis on how accessible its technology is to everyone, building in features across its devices for all sorts of accessibility needs. For instance, if your vision is impaired, tools like VoiceOver can help you navigate your device using audio guidance. But these efforts aren't restricted to your iPhone or Mac. Apple has brought accessibility to the Apple Watch, too. Whether you need to zoom in on a part of the screen to see it better, or you need VoiceOver to help you navigate the watch, this guide will help us set up and use the accessibility features on the Apple Watch.
How to set up and customize VoiceOver on Apple Watch
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 and use Zoom on Apple Watch
To better aid those who need greater visual accessibility, Zoom lets you set a default magnification level for the Apple Watch but also adjust it dynamically. For those with visual impairments or partial blindness, it can make what are otherwise small, hard to see screen elements bigger and easier to see.
- How to enable Zoom on the Apple Watch
- How to enable Zoom using the Apple Watch app for iPhone
- How to control Zoom on your Apple Watch
How to use other visual accessibility features on the Apple Watch
There are a number of other accessibility features on the Apple Watch which are aimed at helping those with visual accessibility needs, from dynamic font adjustment to reduced motion and transparency.
- How to use Font Adjustment on Apple Watch
- Grayscale and Apple Watch
- How to reduce motion and transparency on Apple Watch
- Using On/Off labels on Apple Watch
How to set up and use Real Time Text (RTT) on Apple Watch
On Apple Watches with cellular, you can use real-time text or RTT. The protocol transmits audio as you type text. Ideally suited for those with hearing or speech difficulties, RTT lets you communicate when you're away from your iPhone using built-in Software RTT that's configurable in the Apple Watch app.
Updated May 2020: Updated through watchOS 6.2.5.
