On iPad, Switch Control is an assistive technology for anyone with limited mobility. It enables you to interact with iPad by activating a switch, such as pressing an external adaptive button, performing a head movement, or making a voiced or voiceless sound. You can even use the iPad screen itself as a switch, with no extra hardware.
Using one or more switches, you can move a cursor around the screen and use the Scanner menu to choose an action, like tap, zoom in, or zoom out. A switch can be an external hardware device, or even a feature on your iPad, like Back Tap or simple sounds.
What is a switch?
A switch can be an external hardware device or a feature on your iPad.
Some switches on iPad need no additional hardware at all, including these:
- Screen: Use a tap or long press anywhere on the iPad screen. You can set up tap and long press as two different switches with separate actions.
- Camera: While in view of the front-facing iPad camera, move your head to the left or right, or pinch your left or right index finger and thumb. You can set up each gesture as a different switch with a separate action.
- Back Tap: Double-tap or triple-tap the back of iPad. You can set up double tap and triple tap as two different switches with separate actions.
- Sound: Make simple voiced sounds (such as “Oo”) or voiceless sounds (such as a pop). You can set up each sound as a different switch with a separate action.
- AirPods: Nod or shake your head while wearing supported AirPods that are paired with your iPad. You can set up nod and shake as two different switches with separate actions.
- Gaming: Turn any switch into a virtual game controller to play your favorite games on iPad.
External switches, which connect to iPad through Bluetooth® or the Lightning or USB-C connector, include:
- Adaptive accessory
- Joystick
- Game controller
- MFi switch or switch interface
How does Switch Control work?
In Switch Control, each switch handles a specific action. Move To Next Item, for example, sends the cursor to the next item on the screen, and a switch’s action happens when you activate it, like by making a sound, moving your head, or pressing the adaptive button.
Use one switch, or several switches for different actions, whichever fits how you like to work. With your Move to Next Item switch, you can move the cursor from one item to the next, then activate your Select Item switch when the cursor highlights the item you want.
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