Most iPhone users come from the younger demographics, but many older adults also use this smartphone. According to a 2023 survey with 9,857 respondents, 39 percent of adults aged 50 to 64 in the United States use iOS as their primary smartphone operating system.

The iPhone has now become a lifestyle product that is challenging for many to give up. Many of its models are also some of the best-deal smartphones in the market.

Although many older adults use this smartphone, some features may be challenging to navigate. You may also be considering buying one or upgrading your model to access new functions.

Fortunately, iPhones have accessibility features designed for older adults. So, what are they, and how can you enable them to maximize their functions and connect with your loved ones easily?

Read on to learn more.

Assistive Access

Assistive Access simplifies the home screen by showing only the essential apps, such as the camera, calls, and messages. This feature is designed for people with cognitive disabilities, letting them use the iPhone independently.

Apps and experiences in Assistive Access are optimized—on-screen items are more prominent, features are more focused, and possible actions are easier to understand.

Setting up Assistive Access may be easier with the help of a trusted family member or caregiver who can help you choose the apps and features that best fit your needs. Your trusted supporter might also need access to your account information, such as your Apple ID or the device’s passcode.

To enable Assistive Access, follow these steps:

• If your iPhone is new, you must set it up first. If not, ensure it’s updated to iOS 17 or later.
• Tap Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access > Set Up Assistive Access > Continue.
• Verify your Apple ID. Ensure it belongs to you. Repeat the second step if you left the Assistive Access setup to make Apple ID changes.
• Choose your app layout. You can pick between Rows or Grid.
• Add and customize your Assistive Access apps by tapping the plus sign and choosing the apps.
• Confirm the device’s passcode. You can also enable Face ID or Touch ID (depending on the model) to unlock your phone with your face or thumb.
• Enable the Assistive Access passcode.
• Start using the Assistive Access.

You must learn how to enter and exit Assistive Access.

• To enter, tap Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access > Start Assistive Access > Enter the Assistive Access passcode.
• To exit, triple-click the side button (if you have Face ID) or the Home button (for other iPhone models). Then, enter the Assistive Access passcode.

VoiceOver

VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader that delivers audible descriptions of your screen, such as the battery level, who’s calling, and which app your finger is on.

To turn this feature on or off, do any of the following:

• Go to Settings, then Accessibility.
• Tap VoiceOver and turn the setting on or off.
• You can use the Control Center if you add it there or the Accessibility Shortcut if you set it up.
• You can even ask Siri to turn this function on or off.

You can practice the gestures without affecting your iPhone’s settings. Try different techniques to see which works best for you.

• Go to Settings > Accessibility.
• Tap VoiceOver, turn it on, click VoiceOver Practice, and double-tap to start.
• You can practice the following gestures with one, two, three, or four fingers:
  • Tap
  • Double-tap
  • Triple tap
  • Swipe up, down, left, or right
• Once finished, press Done and double-tap to exit.

Zoom

Zoom lets you zoom in or out on specific on-screen items. You can double-tap or pinch to zoom photos, expand webpage columns in Safari, or magnify the screen (Full-Screen Zoom or Window Zoom).

To enable Zoom, go to Settings and Accessibility. Tap Zoom, then turn it on. You can adjust the Zoom for the following functions:

• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Follow Focus
• Smart Typing
• Zoom Controller
• Zoom Region
• Zoom Filter
• Maximum Zoom

If you use a pointer device, you can also adjust the following functions below Pointer Control:

• Zoom Pan
• Adjust Size with Zoom

To use Zoom, you can double-tap your screen with three fingers or use the Accessibility Shortcut.

Magnifier

Magnifier is an app that turns your device into a magnifying glass to zoom in on objects.

If you don’t see the app, swipe down, then search for Magnifier on your Home screen. For quick access, you can create an Accessibility Shortcut, add it to the Control Center, or ask Siri to open it.

Here are the steps for using Magnifier:

• Open the app and move your camera over what you want to magnify.
• Zoom in or out by dragging the slider or swiping up or down in the viewfinder.
• To adjust the focus, tap the screen.
• You can also use the following features to modify what you see in the viewfinder:
  • Brightness
  • Contrast
  • Flashlight
  • Filters
• If you frequently use some controls, tap Settings to customize which ones appear as primary and secondary.

Remember that you shouldn’t rely on Magnifier when you may be harmed or injured, for navigation, and in high-risk emergencies.

Display and Font Size

You can adjust your iPhone’s text size if you prefer larger text sizes. You can even change the display color to view on-screen items better.

To change the font size:

• Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
• Tap Display & Text Size and choose Larger Text.
• Enable Larger Accessibility Sizes by switching the toggle on.
• Use the slider to modify the text size. Apps that support Dynamic Type will adjust to your preferred reading size.

To change the display color:

• Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then tap Display & Text Size.
• You can enable the following functions:
  • Smart Invert – Reverse colors except images
  • Classic Invert – Reverse all the on-screen colors
  • Color Filters – Adjust the hues
  • Reduce Transparency – Make backgrounds opaque
  • Differentiate Without Color – To tell screen items apart

Reduce Motion

iPhones have motion effects that create depth perception on the Home screen and within apps. If you’re sensitive to these effects, you can enable Reduce Motion to turn them off.

To enable Reduce Motion:

• Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
• Choose Motion, then turn on Reduce Motion.

Once on, Reduce Motion will change or deactivate the following effects:

• Screen effects and transitions will use the dissolve effect instead of side or zoom effects.
• The parallax effect, where your apps, alerts, and wallpaper slightly move or shift as you tilt your iPhone, will be disabled.
• Certain app animations and effects will be disabled, e.g., Weather app animations.

Audio Descriptions

Suppose you can’t view your screen and you’re watching video content. In that case, you can listen to audio descriptions—separate audio tracks that narrate or describe the visual content of clips, movies, or shows.

To turn this function on:

• Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
• Tap Audio Descriptions.
• Enable Audio Descriptions by switching the toggle on.

Assistive Touch

Assistive Touch helps you use your iPhone if it’s challenging to touch the screen or press the buttons. 

You can simply tap to perform some of the following actions:

• Multi-finger gestures
• Scroll gestures
• Activate Siri
• Adjust the volume
• Take screenshots
• Use Emergency SOS

You can command Siri to enable Assistive Touch or set it up manually.

• Open Settings > Accessibility.
• Go to Touch > Assistive Touch.
• Enable Assistive Touch.
• To customize, you can do the following:
  • Add or remove icons in the menu. The menu can only have up to eight icons.
  • Assign custom actions like single-tap, double-tap, long press, or 3D touch. 3D touch is only available on iPhone Xs and Xs Max.
  • Add your favorite gestures.
  • Adjust the menu’s visibility when not in use.

Spoken Content

Even if VoiceOver is off, you can turn on Spoken Content to let your iPhone read on-screen text.

To use Spoken Content:

• Open Settings, scroll to Accessibility, then tap Spoken Content.
• You can turn on the following:
  • Speak Selection – Let the iPhone read a text selection
  • Speak Screen – Let the iPhone all the on-screen text from the top
• To change how the Spoken Content sounds, repeat the first step.
• Then, adjust the following:
  • Voices
  • Speaking Rate
  • Pronunciations

Ringer Volume and LED Alerts

Increasing your ringer volume ensures you won’t miss calls, texts, and other essential notifications.

To increase your ringer volume:

• Open Settings and go to Sounds & Haptics.
• Under Ringtone and Alert Volume, drag the slider left or right.
• An alert will play as you drag so you can hear how the volume changes.

You can also use visual signals by enabling LED Flash for Alerts.

• Head to Accessibility in Settings.
• Go to Audio & Visual
• Turn on LED Flash for Alerts.
• You can turn the following functions on or off:
  • Flash While Unlocked
  • Flash in Silent Mode

Favorite Contacts

Customizing your favorite contacts helps you connect with your loved ones quickly when needed.

To create your favorite contacts:

• Open the Phone app.
• Select a contact.
• Scroll down and press Add to Favorites.
• Repeat for the subsequent contacts.

Calls from your favorite contacts bypass Do Not Disturb.

Emergency SOS

Emergency SOS automatically calls local emergency numbers and shares your location with emergency services.

To use Emergency SOS on iPhone 8 and later models:

• Tap and hold the volume and side buttons until the SOS slider appears
• Drag the call slider to call emergency services.
• If you continue holding the side and volume buttons, a countdown starts, and an alert sounds.
• Releasing the buttons after the countdown will automatically call the emergency services.

For iPhone 7 and earlier models:

• Rapidly tap the side or top button five times. Then, the call slider will appear.
• Drag the call slider to call emergency services.

After the calls, your iPhone will text your emergency contacts with your location. The contacts will also get updates when your location changes.

To add emergency contacts:

• Head to the Health app and press your profile picture.
• Choose Medical ID and tap Edit.
• Scroll to Emergency Contacts.
• Press the Add button.
• Select a Contact, then add their relationship.
• Press Done to save the changes.
• Repeat for the subsequent contacts.

Leverage Accessibility Features for Easier iPhone Navigation

iPhone’s accessibility features enhance your ability to navigate the device and connect with others. These tools are designed to accommodate the unique needs of users who may find standard interfaces challenging.

These functions promote independence and ensure that modern technology is accessible and inclusive, allowing people of all ages and abilities to adapt to the digital world.

Remember that iPhones can be hacked, so you must learn how to protect your device.