How to Set Up and Use Eye Tracking on iPhone and iPad

Apple’s latest accessibility feature, Eye Tracking, transforms how users interact with iPhones and iPads, enabling hands-free control using just eye movements.

Ideal for individuals with physical disabilities, the tool leverages the device’s front-facing camera and advanced machine learning to track and interpret gaze patterns securely, all processed directly on the device.

Once enabled, Eye Tracking displays a pointer that follows the user’s gaze on the screen. By focusing on an item, users can activate a “dwell pointer” that triggers an action after holding their gaze for a specific time.

This eliminates the need for physical gestures, making navigation seamless. AssistiveTouch integration further extends functionality, offering access to additional gestures and button controls.

For optimal Eye Tracking performance:

• Ensure the front-facing camera has an unobstructed view of your face.
• Position the device on a stable surface about 1.5 feet away.
• Maintain adequate lighting around your face.

Here’s how to enable it:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Navigate to Accessibility > Eye Tracking and toggle the feature on.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to calibrate the feature by moving your eyes to follow a dot across the screen.

It’s essential to recalibrate Eye Tracking each time the feature is enabled to ensure precise tracking.

Once calibrated, Eye Tracking enhances the accessibility of all apps across iOS and iPadOS. Whether browsing menus, tapping icons, or scrolling through content, actions are intuitive and triggered by sustained focus. Users can also modify settings for dwell timers or pair the feature with AssistiveTouch to simulate complex gestures like pinching or swiping.

Check out Apple’s support video below to learn more.