Apple has announced a wide-ranging set of new accessibility features set to roll out later this year across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro, including braille tools, speech support, and Music Haptics.
The company revealed these updates ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, continuing its mission to make technology work for everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.
One of the key highlights is the introduction of Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store. Much like privacy labels, these will give users at-a-glance information about how apps support features like VoiceOver, Voice Control, and closed captions.
Apple is also extending its Magnifier app to the Mac, giving users with low vision a robust tool to zoom in on on-screen content. Previously exclusive to iPhone and iPad, this tool is now more versatile for users who rely on macOS. Alongside that, a new Accessibility Reader will provide customizable text appearance across apps and even in real-world environments by using the device’s camera.
A major innovation comes in the form of Braille Access, turning Apple devices into powerful braille note-takers. Whether using external braille displays or Apple’s built-in Braille Screen Input, users can read, write, and edit text with more flexibility across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Vision Pro.
For users of Vision Pro, the company is adding a range of accessibility improvements, including a systemwide zoom function, enhanced VoiceOver support, and the ability to magnify physical environments. Apps like Be My Eyes will now be able to use the device’s main camera to provide real-time visual descriptions.
Apple is also addressing the needs of users with speech impairments by introducing Vocal Shortcuts, allowing them to assign custom sounds to specific tasks. A related feature, Listen for Atypical Speech, uses on-device machine learning to recognize non-standard speech patterns.
Another standout addition is Music Haptics, which allows users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music through touch. The iPhone’s Taptic Engine will translate the beat, rhythm, and melody of music into vibrations, offering a new sensory layer to musical experiences.
Lastly, a new feature called Vehicle Motion Cues is being added to help users prone to motion sickness. The iPhone and iPad will display subtle, animated dots along screen edges to simulate movement, reducing sensory dissonance when reading in a moving vehicle.
As the features roll out later in 2025, users across the Apple ecosystem can look forward to a more accessible and personalized experience.
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Is the vehicle motion queue an update to the existing feature because that feature is already in iOS 18.
I use it when I need to go on the bus.
Okay update from their page: It’s now coming to Mac and it’s also giving updates to customize the dots…. Currently, you can’t customize those dots.
Vehicle Motion Cues, which can help reduce motion sickness when riding in a moving vehicle, comes to Mac, along with new ways to customize the animated onscreen dots on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Is the vehicle motion queue an update to the existing feature because that feature is already in iOS 18.
I use it when I need to go on the bus.
Okay update from their page: It’s now coming to Mac and it’s also giving updates to customize the dots…. Currently, you can’t customize those dots.
Vehicle Motion Cues, which can help reduce motion sickness when riding in a moving vehicle, comes to Mac, along with new ways to customize the animated onscreen dots on iPhone, iPad, and Mac