Your smartphone may be capable of far more than you realise. Tucked away in the settings of most modern iPhones and Android devices is a collection of accessibility features designed to make everyday tasks easier – and you don’t need to have a disability to find them useful.
One of the simplest improvements is larger, clearer text. Both iPhones and Android phones allow you to increase font and display size, make text bolder and adjust colour and contrast. If you find yourself reaching for your glasses every time a message arrives, a few adjustments can make a remarkable difference.
There’s also a magnifier hiding in your phone. Using the camera, Magnifier on iPhone and similar Android features can enlarge restaurant menus, medicine labels, serial numbers or any other small print. It can be considerably easier than taking a photo and repeatedly zooming in.
Your phone can also read text aloud. Depending on the device, you can have selected text, webpages or even much of the screen spoken to you. It’s useful when your eyes are tired, when reading a lengthy article or simply when you would rather listen than stare at a screen.
Hearing assistance has become increasingly sophisticated too. Live captions can turn spoken audio into text on compatible phones, making videos, podcasts and even some phone conversations easier to follow. Some devices can also amplify sounds or work closely with compatible hearing devices.
If tapping small buttons is difficult, investigate voice control. Rather than simply asking Siri or Google Assistant a question, accessibility tools can allow much more extensive control of the phone using spoken commands. Other settings can change how long you need to touch the screen or make frequently used functions easier to reach.
Another handy option is reducing animation and motion effects. If screen transitions and moving graphics feel distracting or uncomfortable, they can often be toned down considerably.
On an iPhone, start by opening Settings > Accessibility. On Android, look for Accessibility in Settings – although available features and their names can vary between manufacturers.
You can also set accessibility shortcuts, giving you rapid access to favourite functions without digging through menus each time.
It’s worth spending 10 minutes exploring. Accessibility technology isn’t simply about overcoming limitations; it’s about adapting your smartphone to the way you prefer to use it. And sometimes the feature that makes your phone dramatically easier to live with has been sitting there all along.