Use accessibility features on Android

Content

To help improve your experience with Android, you can find accessibility features and downloadable apps.

Important: Specific navigation and feature names may vary by market and device.

To turn on accessibility features:

For people with low vision:

TalkBack screen reader:
- For spoken feedback and descriptions of what you touch on your device, use the built-in TalkBack screen reader.
- Find alerts and notifications through TalkBalk.
- To enter 6-dot braille, use 6 fingers on your screen with the included TalkBack braille keyboard.
Braille display support:
- To read your device’s screen content, you can use most refreshable braille displays. To navigate and interact with your device, use the keys on your display.
Audio descriptions: To hear descriptions of on-screen visuals for videos that you play, turn on audio descriptions in supported media.

If you have low vision or light sensitivity:

Display size and text controls: Learn how to change text and display settings.
Dark theme and color inversion: If you have issues with photosensitivity, turn on dark theme and color inversion.
Screen magnification: To zoom in on all or portions of the screen, use magnification.
Select to speak: To read or describe items on your screen aloud, use Select to Speak.
Reading mode: To customize the contrast, color, and font size of text in websites and apps, and read content aloud, download and use Reading mode.
Contrast and colors: To adjust contrast or colors, use:
Extra dim: To dim the screen beyond the device’s minimum brightness, use Extra dim.
Large mouse pointer: For better visibility when an external mouse or touchpad is connected, use a Large mouse pointer.
Accessibility Menu: To easily control and navigate an Android device, you can use a large on-screen menu. Learn how to turn on the Accessibility Menu.

For people with low vision or color blindness:

Color correction: To adjust how colors display on your screen, use color correction and grayscale settings.

If you experience motion sickness, photosensitivity, or seizure triggers:

Remove animations: On supported apps, you can reduce various system and image transition effects. Learn how to Remove animations.
Dark theme: If you have issues with photosensitivity, turn on Dark theme.

If you have limited hearing:

Custom caption styles: You can choose custom caption styles.
Flash notifications: To make your device’s camera flashlight or screen flash when you get a notification, turn on Flash notifications.
Live caption: To automatically caption media and calls, turn on Live Caption.
Mono audio: To change balance or combine audio channels when you play an audio use Audio adjustment features in your Accessibility settings.
Volume adjustment: To change your device volume, press the volume hardware keys or use the Settings app.
Vibration and haptics: On supported devices, you can add physical feedback cues (haptics) to ring, notification, and touch. Learn how to change Vibration settings.
Hearing Aids: Learn how to connect hearing aids.
Real-time Text: To support text communication during phone calls, use Real-time text (RTT).

If you have limited reach, manipulation, or strength:

Navigation: As an alternative to gestures, use Button navigation.
One-handed mode: To navigate your device with one hand, use One-handed mode.
Automatic click: If you use a mouse with your Android device, you can set the cursor to take action automatically when it stops for a certain amount of time. Learn how to turn on Auto click (dwell timing).
Bounce keys, Mouse keys, Slow keys, and Sticky keys are supported by Android devices with physical keyboards. You can use these features only when your keyboard is connected.
- Bounce keys: You can set your device to ignore rapid, repeated keypresses of the same key. This is helpful for people with tremors. Learn how to turn on Android accessibility features.
- Mouse keys: You can control your mouse with the keyboard. Learn how to turn on Android accessibility features.
- Slow keys: You can set how long a key must be held down for your device to register the press. This is helpful for people with limited dexterity and tremors. Learn how to turn on Android accessibility features.
- Sticky keys: You can use multi-key shortcuts without the need to hold a modifier key. With Sticky Keys, when you press and release a modifier key, like Shift, Ctrl, Alt, or Action, it remains active until you press another key. Learn how to turn on Android accessibility features.

On-screen keyboard:

Switch Access: As an alternate input method, you can use:
- Switch Access
- Camera Switches
Voice Access: To control your device with your voice, download and use Voice Access.
Physical button to end calls: For devices that can make phone calls, you can press the power button to quickly end a call.
Screen rotation: To control the orientation of your screen when your device rotates, use automatic or manual Screen rotation.
Accessibility Menu: To easily control and navigate an Android device, you can use a large on-screen menu. Learn how to turn on the Accessibility Menu.

To use your Android device without vocal capability:

Touch: You can use touch to navigate your device. You can also use Switch Access and Camera Switches as alternative input methods.
Type: To type, you can use the on-screen keyboard. You can also use USB or Bluetooth to connect an external keyboard or mouse. You can use a mouse and keyboard at the same time.

If you experience limited cognition, focus disorders, or learning differences:

Dictation: You can use your voice to type and communicate with the onscreen keyboard.
Reading mode: To help you focus more easily on text, download and use Reading Mode. This reduces distractions from images and videos on screen to simplify and read content aloud.
Select to speak: To help with learning differences, dyslexia, or low vision, you can hear on-screen text spoken aloud with Select to Speak.

If you experience photosensitivity or seizure triggers:

Remove animations: On supported apps, you can reduce various system and image transition effects. Learn how to remove animations.
Dark theme: If you have issues with photosensitivity, turn on Dark theme.
Extra dim: To dim the screen beyond the device’s minimum brightness, use Extra dim.

Tip: To turn accessibility features on or switch between apps, use accessibility shortcuts.

Android Setup can help you discover different accessibility features that can improve your Android experience.

To further improve your Android experience, you can download these features: