Apple Intelligence and Accessibility: What Apple Previewed for VoiceOver, Magnifier and Voice Control
Apple previewed Apple Intelligence updates for VoiceOver, Magnifier and Voice Control on 19 May 2026. See what each does and what is coming later this year.
Apple has previewed new accessibility features powered by Apple Intelligence for its 2026 software updates. They are planned for VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control and Accessibility Reader.
This guide explains what each feature is expected to do.
VoiceOver describes more of what is on the screen
VoiceOver reads out what is on an iPhone screen for people who are blind or have low vision. A new tool called Image Explorer will use Apple Intelligence to give more detailed descriptions of images across the system, including photographs, scanned bills, personal records and other visual content.
Live Recognition is also due to be updated. A VoiceOver user will be able to press the Action button on iPhone to ask a question about what is in the camera viewfinder and get a detailed answer, then ask follow-up questions in their own words to get more detail.
Magnifier can answer questions too
Magnifier is built for people with low vision. It will use Apple Intelligence to provide richer visual descriptions in its high-contrast interface.
It will also work with the Action button, so you can ask a question and get an answer quickly. You can control Magnifier itself with spoken requests, such as “zoom in” or “turn on torch”.
Voice Control understands natural language
Voice Control lets people with a range of physical disabilities use an iPhone or iPad entirely by voice. It is expected to understand natural language, so you will be able to describe an onscreen button or control in your own words, such as “tap the purple folder”, rather than memorising its exact label. This natural-language mode is planned for English in Australia, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Accessibility Reader and subtitles
Accessibility Reader is expected to simplify complex layouts, summarise material and translate text while keeping the reader’s chosen formatting.
Apple has also previewed subtitles generated on the device for video that has no captions, across the Apple ecosystem. That can help anyone watching a video with the sound off, or a person who is deaf or hard of hearing.
Apple Vision Pro and wheelchairs
One of the most striking updates is not for the iPhone at all. Apple Vision Pro is expected to control compatible power wheelchairs using its eye tracking, with planned support for the Tolt and LUCI alternative drive systems in the United States, over Bluetooth or a wired connection. It is useful to know about even if you will never use it, because it shows how Apple is applying these tools.
Privacy
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, said these capabilities were added “while maintaining our foundational commitment to privacy by design”.
We also have more on what is new in iOS 27 and on Siri AI and Apple Intelligence.
Need a hand?
If you or someone in your team would like help turning on these features, we can set them up with you. See our Mac and Apple device setup and troubleshooting service, or contact Your Mac Tech.
