Most users, iPhones, and iPad, only occasionally enter the settings to enable or disable certain functions after the initial setup of their devices. That’s why few people know about such a menu item as “Universal Access.” Initially, this section was designed to provide people with disabilities with tools for entire interaction with their gadgets. But over time, it started to include helpful features for everyone.
Without universal access, it is impossible to imagine an Apple device.
Hidden Features of iPhones and iPads
In a separate article, we looked at how you can improve the sound in AirPods using audiograms. However, that’s not all there is. Let’s see what possibilities can be found in universal access and how it can help interact with your smartphone or tablet.
How to configure VoiceOver?
A handy feature for the visually impaired.
Many visually impaired users prefer to use Apple Technology precisely because of the function of its Voice off. With it, the smartphone can pronounce all the commands and help you navigate comfortably, despite vision problems. To activate it, you need:
- Open Settings.
- Go to the “Universal access” section.
- Select the VoiceOver item and activate the switch.
In this section, you can also configure the speaking speed of all interface elements. Keep in mind that this feature takes some getting used to. Simply enabling it for the game’s sake is not worth it. Trying to turn it off can make you hysterical.
How to lock iPhone without a button
This is what the AssistiveTouch button looks like when expanded.
The next possibility, which is also very popular, is Support contact. From the name, it is not entirely clear what the manufacturer puts in it. The main thing is that a special round button appears on the screen, which simulates pressing all physical keys. You don’t have to use “Home” if your iPhone has a Touch ID. You can lock any device without using the lock button. To activate it, do the following:
- Open the settings and go to the “Accessibility” section.
- Select “Touch.”
- Go to AssistiveTouch and enable the corresponding switch.
After that, a circle will appear on the screen; additional buttons will be offered when you press it. This circle can be moved to any convenient point on the screen. It can also help you if the lock button or the “Home” button has stopped working.
How to Disable Auto-Brightness on iPhone
In the same menu, you can also configure various color inversions.
When setting up their iPhone for the first time, many users prefer to turn off auto brightness and set it manually. It is logical to assume that this parameter must be located in the element associated with the screen. But the manufacturer thought differently and decided to add it to universal access. In the same section, you can activate the bold Font in the interface of your smartphone or tablet. An option for an amateur, but someone comes. To enable these two features:
- Go to the settings in the “Universal access” section.
- Select “Display and text size.”
- At the very top, there will be a switch that activates the bold Font.
- Scroll down the page, and the last item will disable auto-brightness.
I don’t quite understand why you want to turn it off. Apple devises Automatic brightness. It works pretty clearly and supports screen brightness under lighting. But someone wants to control this possibility.
Reduce motion on iPhone
I would not refuse the animations if the smartphone released them.
When I was a user iPhone 6Plus, after 1.5 years of use, it began to run out of RAM categorically. This was especially noticeable in the interface. That’s when Apple made it possible to disable system animations. That’s not to say it added any RAM to my smartphone, but the performance boost was noticeable. It turned out that many people liked this feature, and some still use it. If you want to watch iPhone without system animations, then proceed as follows:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “Motion.”
- Enable the “Reduce Motion” switch.
Here you can turn off animations in iMessage and automatic video preview. I would not disable these features. But trying an iPhone, where the windows switch pretty quickly, is an entirely different experience. I advise you to try it yourself if you have never seen it.
How to take a screenshot in one click?
Review the settings in this paragraph. Maybe you will find something useful for yourself.
Recently, Apple decided it wasn’t worth using the back panel of their iPhones just for wireless charging and the Apple logo, and it was possible to set up any action with a double or triple tap. To do this, you need:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “Touch.”
- Scroll down and go to “Touch feedback.”
Here you can configure double and triple tap actions. Possible: take screenshots, open the control center, lock the screen, throw a flashlight, lock the orientation, and do many other activities.
Require Face ID attention
This setting significantly improves the security of your data.
When presented in 2017, face identification users wondered if they could unlock their device while they slept by simply holding it in front of their face. Apple assured that when you activate the special option, Face ID will require open eyes and a gaze directed towards the camera. Therefore, it is simply not possible. If you want to secure your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “Face ID and attention.”
- Enable the “Require Attention for Face ID” and “Attention Recognition” toggles.
If desired, you can activate a haptic signal when the user is successfully identified. So for every successful face identification, The iPhone will vibrate slightly.
How do we prevent apps from closing?
Be sure to set a password. Otherwise, there will be no interest in such a block.
When I had a child, it became necessary to limit the ability of his smartphone to use a specific application, for example, Youtube. It turns out that on iPhones and iPad, this can be done using standard tools:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “Guided Access.”
- Enable it and set the password.
- Launch the desired app and triple-tap the lock button.
After these steps, it will be impossible to close the program without entering a password or using face identification Where touch ID. This will significantly improve the security of your device when it is not in your hands.
How to activate the flash during a call?
A bright flash won’t let you miss important notifications.
In cafes and restaurants, we often put our smartphones upside down so as not to be distracted by the permanently lit screen. But maybe you are expecting an important notification that you cannot miss. In such a situation, you can use flash on your iPhone as a notification indicator:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “Audio visualization.”
- Scroll down and enable Flash for Warnings.
Now, whenever you receive a new notification, the flash will flash and let you know. Very handy if you always need to be aware of new messages.
Noise-canceling with an AirPod
Don’t try to use this type of noise reduction unless you need it.
Some users have hearing problems in only one ear. AirPods Pro is associated with some inconvenience in such a situation, using headphones. For example, noise cancellation won’t work if you only use one earbud. Fortunately, this misunderstanding can be easily corrected:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “AirPods.”
- Scroll down and turn on the “Noise-canceling with an AirPods” toggle.
After that, start the music and activate noise reduction by pinching the leg of an earphone. No matter how many “ears” you are currently using, noise reduction will be turned on.
How to write Siri
Sometimes it’s more convenient to communicate with Siri by text.
Siri has appeared on Apple smartphones since the time of the iPhone 4s. And all the time I’ve owned iPhones, I’ve never turned them on as useless. However, many users consider her a good assistant and often use her services to search for information. There are situations when it is simply impossible to address her with a voice. Then help will come with text input for Siri:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “Siri.”
- Turn on the “Text input for Siri” switch.
Now, when calling the assistant, you will have to enter all requests from the keyboard without using voice commands.
Bold Font on iPhone
All text and color display settings can only be applied to the selected application.
You can do this for specific applications if you don’t want to include bold for the whole system or motion reduction. This is very useful if the developer of specific programs has made the fonts too thin or the animations too long:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Select “Settings per application.”
- Click “Add Application” and select the desired program from the drop-down list.
- Click on it and customize what you need.
Thus, your settings will only be applied to specific programs and will not apply system-wide. It is very convenient if you are delighted with the interface’s appearance and the menu.
