Hidden Accessibility Features in iOS 26 and macOS 26

Apple’s iOS 26 and macOS 26, announced at WWDC 2025, bring a powerful collection of new accessibility features designed to make devices more inclusive for all users. These updates focus on empowering people with disabilities through intuitive tools and AI-driven accessibility enhancements. In this article, I’ll break down the most impactful hidden accessibility features in iOS 26 and macOS 26, arriving in Fall 2025.

Accessibility Reader: A System-Wide Reading Mode

One of the most exciting additions is Accessibility Reader, a system-wide reading mode available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple Vision Pro.

• Designed for people with dyslexia, low vision, or other reading challenges.
• Customize text by adjusting font, color, and spacing to make reading easier.
• Supports Spoken Content, which reads text aloud.
• Launch it from any app or through the Magnifier app to read real-world text like restaurant menus or books by pointing your device’s camera.

Magnifier Comes to Mac

The popular Magnifier app from iPhone and iPad is now available on macOS 26.

• Use it with a connected camera like your iPhone (via Continuity Camera) or a USB camera.
• Zoom in on small objects or text with a top-mounted slider.
• Adjust brightness, contrast, and straighten skewed images using sidebar controls.
• Select the Reader button to activate the new Accessibility Reader.

This makes how to use Magnifier on Mac more versatile than ever.

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Braille Access: A Full-Fledged Note-Taking Tool

Braille Access turns your Apple devices into robust braille note-takers for users who are blind or have low vision.

• Supports Braille Screen Input, external braille displays, and BRF (braille) files.
• Perform math using Nemeth Braille code.
• Offers real-time conversation transcripts on the braille display.
• Eliminates the need for separate braille tools, streamlining both hardware and the user experience.

Live Listen Transcription on Apple Watch

Apple Watch now supports Live Listen transcription for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• Your iPhone acts as a remote microphone, sending audio to AirPods, Beats, or MFi hearing aids.
• View live transcriptions directly on your Apple Watch with watchOS 26.
• Ideal for noisy environments or one-on-one conversations—hands-free.

Vehicle Motion Cues Now on Mac

Vehicle Motion Cues, introduced in iOS 18, now come to macOS 26.

• MacBooks use built-in accelerometers to display animated dots that match a vehicle’s motion.
• Helps reduce motion sickness.
• iOS 26 adds more customization for even better personalization.

Accessibility Nutrition Labels in the App Store

Apple is adding Accessibility Nutrition Labels to the App Store.

• New section on app pages highlights features like VoiceOver support or adjustable text sizes.
• Helps users quickly determine whether an app meets their needs.

This is a big win for inclusive app discovery.

New Background Sounds for Focus and Calm

iOS 26 expands Background Sounds to improve focus, relaxation, or sleep with soothing audio.

New sounds include:

• Quiet Night
• Fire
• Rain
• Babble
• Airplane
• Boat
• Bus
• Train

You can add them to Control Center, set timers, adjust volume, or tweak sound using Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Background Sounds.

Apple Vision Pro Accessibility Updates

The Apple Vision Pro gets substantial accessibility improvements in visionOS:

• Zoom now enlarges the entire environment using the main camera.
• VoiceOver’s Live Recognition uses on-device machine learning to detect environments, read text, and find objects.
• Approved apps like Be My Eyes can now use the camera for hands-free visual interpretation.
• Live Captions provide real-time dialogue captions in apps, including immersive Apple video formats.

Other Significant Accessibility Updates in iOS 26 and macOS 26

Apple has updated several existing features to make them smarter and more inclusive:

• Eye Tracking now supports switch and dwell gestures for selection.
• Head Tracking allows for full device control using only head movement.
• Personal Voice creates a realistic custom voice in under a minute using 10 phrases; now supports Spanish (Mexico).
• Assistive Access for Apple TV offers a simplified media player with a new custom app.
• Sound Recognition detects if someone calls your name—ideal for the deaf or hard of hearing.
• Music Haptics lets you sync haptics with vocals or full songs, and adjust intensity and textures.
• Live Captions add support for more languages: English (India, UK, Singapore, Australia), Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, and Korean.
• CarPlay in iOS 26 supports Large Text accessibility and can now detect a crying baby using Sound Recognition.
• Voice Control gets a dedicated programming mode in Xcode and now syncs vocabulary across devices.
• Share your accessibility configurations (like VoiceOver and text size) temporarily between devices or sync them via iCloud.
• Switch Control now supports Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs), allowing users to control their devices with brain signals—no physical movement required.

Why These Accessibility Features Matter

These Apple accessibility updates are more than just features—they represent a commitment to inclusive design:

• Ensure every user can personalize their Apple experience to match unique needs.
• Empower people with disabilities to navigate and communicate independently.
• Even users without disabilities benefit from enhancements like Background Sounds and Vehicle Motion Cues, which contribute to a smoother daily experience.

Availability Timeline

• The developer beta for iOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe is now available, featuring enhancements such as Magnifier for Mac, Head Tracking, and new Background Sounds.
• Most updates will be released with the final public version in Fall 2025.
• Advanced features, such as BCI support, may be rolled out later in the cycle.

Apple Just Made Accessibility Smarter

Apple’s 2025 updates to iOS 26 and macOS 26 Tahoe raise the bar for digital accessibility, from braille note-taking and Live Captions to machine-learning object recognition and brain-controlled interfaces.

These features are built not only to support people with disabilities but to enrich the experience for everyone. That’s what makes Apple’s approach to accessibility truly remarkable.

Which feature are you most excited about? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Related articles worth reading:

• Best iOS 18 accessibility features you should know
• How to use Accessibility Shortcut on Apple Watch
• How to Use Accessibility Shortcut on iPhone and iPad
• iOS 26 CarPlay Wallpapers