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Switch Control

Instructions to Set Up Switch Control on iPhone

Introduction Switch Control is a feature on iPhone that is specifically designed for individuals who have physical disabilities or difficulties. With Switch Control, you can operate your iPhone using one or more switches, which can be used to perform various functions and actions such as selecting, tapping, dragging, typing, and drawing freehand.

Adding a Switch There are several options for adding a switch to your iPhone:

  • On-device Switch: You can use your iPhone’s screen, camera, microphone, or back as a switch.

  • External Adaptive Switch: If you prefer to use an external switch, you can connect it to your iPhone via Bluetooth or the Lightning connector. The switch should come with a manual, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions to pair it with your phone.

Assigning an Action to a Switch

To ensure that Switch Control operates correctly, you must assign a switch to the “Select Item” action and another switch to the “Move to Next Item” action.

Customizing Switch Control

You can adjust the functioning of Switch Control to fit your personal needs and requirements. To do so, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control.

Scanning Style

Under Scanning Style, you can select one of the following options:

  • Auto Scanning: Focus automatically moves to the next item after a specified duration.

  • Manual Scanning: You must trigger a switch to move the focus to the next item.

  • Single Switch Step Scanning: You trigger a switch to move the focus to the next item, and if no action is taken within a specified duration, the focused item is automatically activated.

Additional Customization Options

You can further customize Switch Control by adjusting the following settings:

  • Switches: Add switches and specify their functions.

  • Recipes: Create and edit special actions to be temporarily assigned to switches.

  • Auto Scanning Time: Adjust the speed at which items are scanned.

  • Pause On First Item: Set scanning to pause on the first item in a group.

  • Loops: Choose how many times to cycle through the screen before hiding Switch Control.

  • Move Repeat: Set the delay before moving to the previous or next item while a switch is pressed.

  • Long Press: Set a different action to occur when you press and hold a switch, and specify how long to wait before performing that action.

  • Tap Behavior: Choose a tap behavior and set the interval for performing a second switch action to show the Scanner Menu.

  • Focused Item After Tap: Choose whether Switch Control resumes scanning at an item you tap or from the beginning.

  • Hold Duration: Specify how long you need to hold a switch down before it is accepted as a switch action.

  • Ignore Repeat: Ignore accidental repeated switch triggers.

  • Gliding Cursor: Adjust the point scanning style and speed.

  • Head Tracking (iPhone 8 and later): Adjust settings for head tracking and assign actions to facial expressions.

  • Sound Effects: Turn on sound effects.

  • Speech: Speak items as they are scanned.

  • Menu Items: Choose the actions shown in the Scanner Menu and the order in which they appear.

  • Group Items: Group items for faster navigation.

  • Large Cursor: Make the selection cursor larger.

  • Cursor Color: Choose a different color.

  • Saved Gestures: Create and save custom gestures to the Scanner Menu.

  • Confirm with Switch Control (Face ID only): On an iPhone with Face ID, you can confirm payments by using

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Turning On/Off Switch Control on iPhone

Important: Switch Control will change the gestures used to control your iPhone.

To turn on/off Switch Control, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control.

  2. Triple-click the side button (iPhone with Face ID) or the home button (iPhone with Home button).

  3. Use Control Center.

Using Switch Control on iPhone

Once you’ve set up Switch Control, there are three methods to select items on the screen:

  1. Item Scanning
  2. Point Scanning
  3. Head Tracking (only on iPhone 8 and later)
Item Scanning

The focus moves from one item to the next either automatically or manually until you select an item. This is the default scanning method.

Auto Scanning: Watch or listen as the focus moves. Manual Scanning: Trigger the “Move to Next Item” action to move the focus.

To select an item, wait until the focus surrounds it, then trigger the “Select Item” switch. The Scanner Menu will appear with options such as Tap, Gestures, Scroll, Media Controls, and more.

Point Scanning

To use point scanning, select an item with item scanning and choose “Gliding Cursor” in the Scanner Menu. Then, position the vertical and horizontal crosshairs over the item and choose an action from the Scanner Menu. To return to item scanning, select “Item Mode” in the Scanner Menu.

Head Tracking

On iPhone 8 and later, head movements can be used to control the pointer on the screen, and facial expressions can be assigned to perform actions. To set up head tracking, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switches and set up switches.

  2. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Head Tracking and turn on head tracking.

In the Head Tracking settings, you can also:

  1. Assign actions to facial expressions such as smiling, opening your mouth, sticking out your tongue, or raising your eyebrows.

  2. Choose the tracking mode: With Face, When Facing Screen Edges, or Relative to Head.

  3. Adjust the pointer speed using the minus (-) or plus (+) icons.

To access the Head Tracking mode, Turn on switch control and select it in the Scanner Menu.

 
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