Using VoiceOver

VoiceOver on a desktop

The default VoiceOver modifier keys are control and option. You can change the keys (referred to as VO) in VoiceOver settings. To get there, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > VoiceOver. Then open the VoiceOver Utility.

In the settings, you can also make VoiceOver follow the mouse.

Useful commands

• To start or stop Voiceover, press command + F5.
• To open the VoiceOver help menu, press VO + H.
• To open the VoiceOver Utility, press VO + F8.
• Turn the screen black (screen curtain): VO + shift + F11.
• Start reading from the current location: VO + A.
• Stop reading: control.
• Read a paragraph: VO + P.
• Move element by element through the page: right or left arrow.

For more commands, check out the source material at the bottom of this page.

VoiceOver on an iPhone or an iPad

There are a few ways you can turn on/offVoiceOver on your iPhone or iPad:

• Summon Siri and tell her “Turn on VoiceOver” or “Turn off VoiceOver.”
• On a model with Face ID, triple-click the side button.
• On a model with a Home button, triple-click the home button.
• You can also toggle VoiceOver from the Control Center.
• You can also toggle VoiceOver from the settings: Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver

Gestures

There are a lot of useful gestured listed on Apple's support website, I included a link to the page in the source materials. I added links for both iPhone and iPad. At least the basic functionalities are the same in both devices, I've yet to encounter any differences. Here are the most common gestures I usually use:

• Tap an item: selects and speaks the touched item.
• Double-tap an item: activate the selected item.
• Swipe right: selects the next item.
• Swipe left: selects the previous item.