Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Accesibility on apple phones? (self.Blind)
submitted by LandLovingFish
I have low vision and I've been using Samsung phones ever since I got one. Recently the rest of my family wants to go full Apple, including my phone. A bit of a problem, since I'm quite attached to my Samsung devices after a solid decade. I have been looking into which apps can transfer though, since I use Google-related apps frequently for various things and I'm also a gamer.
I currently have it set so that i can expnd/zoom my screen, occassionally use the voice reader, and hve larger font and contrast. I'm wondering how well Apple products do for stuff like that? I found some things online, but I'd like some up-to-date info.
update: i do plan to try to keep my old phone around, purely because I'm fairly certain a good chunk of my game data won't transfer and I have no desire to restart one particular app for the fifth time.
I currently have it set so that i can expnd/zoom my screen, occassionally use the voice reader, and hve larger font and contrast. I'm wondering how well Apple products do for stuff like that? I found some things online, but I'd like some up-to-date info.
update: i do plan to try to keep my old phone around, purely because I'm fairly certain a good chunk of my game data won't transfer and I have no desire to restart one particular app for the fifth time.
flower_the_sun_kind 4 points 1y ago
I am an Assistive Technology service provider and have many people who prefer the accessibility of Apple over Android. I think in terms of the features you are using, you will find them comparable. Unfortunately the apps is where Apple is more limited than the Play Store- if you're curious about certain games or apps you can do a Google search for the app name and ios to find out if it is available. If not- Android tablets are pretty cheap so you could try to get one of those for the apps you can't have on an iPhone. If you're not turning in your Android, it might even work just with wifi for some apps. Hope this helps! I am an Android person myself, but have to admit the iOS accessibility surpasses Android for most users I've worked with.
gunfart 5 points 1y ago
Yeah, iOS is basically built around accessibility on the iPhone or as the androids accessibility is more of an afterthought
LandLovingFish [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Yeah, i'll probably keep my old phone around just so i don't have restart certain gaming apps. At least I'll have more space without all those photos in my gallery, lol. I think most of my main apps are compatible, but we'll have to see.
SiriuslyGranger 3 points 1y ago
I am totally blind and writing to you on an apple iphone 13.
I believe it works much better than accessibility on the android side, and apple cares more about accessibility. They even have a line for accessibility type things.
In general apple cares much more about accessibility then android side does.
Some apps will not transfer but there may be some equivalent type things.
There is a lot of games on the ios side.
I believe it works much better than accessibility on the android side, and apple cares more about accessibility. They even have a line for accessibility type things.
In general apple cares much more about accessibility then android side does.
Some apps will not transfer but there may be some equivalent type things.
There is a lot of games on the ios side.
NovisGames 1 points 1y ago
Indeed, we have a community of beta testers for our gaming app, and plenty of them are using iOS (more than 70%), even though Android is enhancing its TalkBack technology as well.
Apple ecosystem is, in general, more accessible, and Android seems to require more tweaks and, in some cases, TalkBack crashes or simply is worse at managing situations where lots of things are going on.
Have you tried latest Android releases?
Apple ecosystem is, in general, more accessible, and Android seems to require more tweaks and, in some cases, TalkBack crashes or simply is worse at managing situations where lots of things are going on.
Have you tried latest Android releases?
DHamlinMusic 5 points 1y ago
I have no idea what you're talking about with talkback crashing, have never once run into this in two plus years of using it across multiple devices, three OS versions, and at least five talkback builds.
NovisGames 1 points 1y ago
Maybe it's my personal device (Realme), but I have noticed that sometimes it gets stuck when I use exploration mode inside web pages (less frequently on apps).
In that case, navigation through swiping does not work anymore until I disable and enable TalkBack again.
Did you ever fall into this behaviour?
In that case, navigation through swiping does not work anymore until I disable and enable TalkBack again.
Did you ever fall into this behaviour?
SiriuslyGranger 3 points 1y ago
That’s the memo. For sure that seems to be the reality of things. if you look at which platform is trying harder it is definitely on the Apple side.
potato_rock_bandit 2 points 1y ago
Hi, I also am low vision and was a die-hard Samsung fan before making the big switch to the Apple ecosystem. From my experience, all the Apple devices are designed to enter VoiceOver mode by pressing the power button quickly three times. That made it easier for me to tweak the display settings independently out of the box. I'm still getting the hang of navigating my phone wityh VoiceOver on in terms of the quick gestures, but it's super easy to toggle it on and off so I just do that for now.
Six months in, I'm really happy I made the switch as suggested by the tech consultant at CNIB. Before this, my last set of devices was a Samsung A20 and one of the Galaxy Tab A's. Each of them had their own version of Android, and the accessibility options for each were different. I also had a cheapie Acer convertible tab with keyboard combo with Windows, omg what a piece of trash. Narrator is outperformed by VoiceOver all day long imo.
My current setup is a Mac Mini with a 40" monitor, an iPad 9th gen, an Apple watch series 7, and an iPhone 13 mini. On the advice of another member of r/blind, I bought the Dark Reader app and it's worth the one time purchase, none of the free ones compare and I was using Dark Reaeder on my Windows machine. I am not a huge fan of the App Store, I find it awkward and hard to find what I'm looking for. I also think it's silly they don't let you select apps for other devices the way Google Play does. (Meaning, if I want to put an app on my iPad, I have to go to the App Store with the iPad and do it instead of being able to do it all from my desktop.). I found / find the learning curve to be pretty steep, but you only have to do it once, plus you have other ppl to help you out it sounds like.
SORRY. I get excited meeting other low vision people who aren't living in extended care facilities. If you have any interest in any of the numerous iPad models available, I can't speak highly enough of how easy it's been to use even with VoiceOver turned off. I started learning how to use ProCreate with an Apple pencil two weeks ago and I don't even feel visually impaired while working with it even though it's new to me, if you know what I mean. I can just double-tap with three fingers to zoom in on whichever menu or set of buttons, then double tap again to zoom back out and carry on.
Six months in, I'm really happy I made the switch as suggested by the tech consultant at CNIB. Before this, my last set of devices was a Samsung A20 and one of the Galaxy Tab A's. Each of them had their own version of Android, and the accessibility options for each were different. I also had a cheapie Acer convertible tab with keyboard combo with Windows, omg what a piece of trash. Narrator is outperformed by VoiceOver all day long imo.
My current setup is a Mac Mini with a 40" monitor, an iPad 9th gen, an Apple watch series 7, and an iPhone 13 mini. On the advice of another member of r/blind, I bought the Dark Reader app and it's worth the one time purchase, none of the free ones compare and I was using Dark Reaeder on my Windows machine. I am not a huge fan of the App Store, I find it awkward and hard to find what I'm looking for. I also think it's silly they don't let you select apps for other devices the way Google Play does. (Meaning, if I want to put an app on my iPad, I have to go to the App Store with the iPad and do it instead of being able to do it all from my desktop.). I found / find the learning curve to be pretty steep, but you only have to do it once, plus you have other ppl to help you out it sounds like.
SORRY. I get excited meeting other low vision people who aren't living in extended care facilities. If you have any interest in any of the numerous iPad models available, I can't speak highly enough of how easy it's been to use even with VoiceOver turned off. I started learning how to use ProCreate with an Apple pencil two weeks ago and I don't even feel visually impaired while working with it even though it's new to me, if you know what I mean. I can just double-tap with three fingers to zoom in on whichever menu or set of buttons, then double tap again to zoom back out and carry on.
LandLovingFish [OP] 1 points 1y ago
That's good to know, thanks!
i have an iPad i use purely for music and the occasional digital drawing, though I've been using a different app called Autodesk Sketchbook that works on my Windows computer as well. I'll probably still use a Windows for my computer and backup tablet, just because I already paid for several editing programs I like. Though I do have access to Apple computers so the compatibility might be nice if I figure out how to transfer certain files.
i have an iPad i use purely for music and the occasional digital drawing, though I've been using a different app called Autodesk Sketchbook that works on my Windows computer as well. I'll probably still use a Windows for my computer and backup tablet, just because I already paid for several editing programs I like. Though I do have access to Apple computers so the compatibility might be nice if I figure out how to transfer certain files.
Laser_Lens_4 1 points 1y ago
I'm going to mostly agree with everyone here. I think iOS has overall better accessibility compared to Android, but ultimately it depends on your needs. Talkback on Android is better suited to those with low vision and Voiceover is better suited to those with no vision. I made the switch to iOS 1.5 years ago and overall like it. My advice is to give it a try and see what you like best. Keep your old phone to switch back to if things don't work out. If you decide to stick with Android, I recommend Pixel devices as they are first-party and will have the least amount of cruft and inaccessible OEM garbage piled on. If you decide the iPhone works better, it certainly makes your purchase decision easier as you only have to pick a size and a few minor features. Feel free to shoot me a DM (not a live chat) or join the r/blind Discord. I'd be happy to give you a crash-course on Voiceover for iPhone.
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