VoiceOver Gestures in Detail
Prepared by
Dale Sczweck
Assistive Technology Specialist for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Phone (815) 314-0874
Email dale.sczweck@gmail.com
Here is a comprehensive list of common VoiceOver commands.
One finger Gestures
These are gestures that one would perform with one finger only.
Single Tap
This gesture is used to explore items on the screen. A one finger single tap will read the
item that has been tapped.
Double Tap
The double tap gesture is used to activate a selected item. For example, you are on the
home screen and you tap once on the "settings" icon. In order to open the "settings"
menu, you then have to tap twice in rapid succession. The double tap can be performed
anywhere on the screen. The gesture does not need to be performed directly on the
icon you wish to activate.
Swipe
The swipe gesture is performed by sliding the finger to the right or left. Constant contact
with the screen is required in order to successfully perform this action. If the user fails to
keep constant contact with the screen, VoiceOver will either not recognize the gesture
or it will register the action as a single tap.
The user can also swipe up and down. This particular action is used commonly to
change item values which are controlled by sliders, or other such variable function
controls. Example, in the VoiceOver menu, you can change the rate of speech using a
slider. Using VoiceOver, once you navigate to the slider, it is necessary to swipe up or
down with one finger to change the speaking rate. The up and down swipe is also used
to navigate text using a previously selected navigation method.
Two Finger Gestures
Here is a list of gestures performed using two fingers. Commonly, one would use the
pointer and middle fingers to perform these gestures. This is not required. The user can
choose which fingers are most comfortable for him/her.
Double Tap
The two finger double tap will turn the iPod on and off. Be careful with this gesture.
While attempting to do something else, it is very possible to accidentally engage the
iPod.
Triple Tap
The two finger triple tap is used to open the item chooser. This is a lot like the links list
in JAWS. The difference is, it can be used in most portions of iOS. The item chooser
provides a list of all items on the screen. Example, if you are on the home screen, a two
finger triple tap will give you a list of all the folders and apps displayed. You can then
type the complete, or partial, name of an app/folder and it will be displayed. This
eliminates the need for constant flicking right and left. Now the user can perform a two
finger triple tap, type the name of an item they wish to select, and open it in a fraction of
the time it would take using other navigation methods. To dismiss the item chooser you
will need to tap the screen once in an area away from the item chooser dialogue box.
After performing the one finger single tap, VoiceOver will say, "double tap to dismiss
item chooser." Double tap with one finger to close the item chooser dialogue box.
Three Finger Gestures:
Below is a list of gestures which require three fingers. For three finger gestures, use
your pointer, middle, and ring fingers. As with two finger gestures, the user can pick
which fingers work best.
Double Tap
The three finger double tap is used to toggle VoiceOver speech. This does not turn
VoiceOver on or off, it simply disables the speech. It is a lot like turning off your
computer speakers. That will not turn the sound off, rather it disables the output. With
the voice off, VoiceOver gestures will still be required.
Triple Tap
The three finger triple tap toggles the screen curtain. The screen curtain blacks out the
screen of the iDevice. This will aid in battery conservation, as well as provide the user
with some anonymity. With the screen curtain on, it would be impossible for someone
to read over the users shoulder.
Swipe
Swiping left and right with three fingers will switch pages in books, or on the home
screen. A three finger swipe up or down will move menus vertically. This gesture is also
used in text documents and web pages. Using the gesture in these applications will
quickly move the user to the top, bottom, or somewhere in the middle of the page. The
length of the swipe determines how far the page moves.
Four Finger Gestures
Note: There is a setting under "General Settings" which allows for the use of four and
five finger gestures. If these gestures do not work for you, check your settings to see if
you have allowed these gestures. If you do not see the setting, then you will need to
update your operating system. This feature is an iPad only feature made available in
iOS 5. These four and five finger gestures will not work on the iPhone or iPod touch.
Four finger gestures are best performed with all fingers, not including the thumb. The
thumb can be used if the user chooses to do so; it is purely an issue of personal
preference.
Swipe
A four finger swipe up will reveal the open application tray. A four finger swipe down will
close the tray. Using four fingers to swipe to the right or left will switch applications. This
gesture is handy when switching between a web page and a text document. However,
in order to switch to an app, the app must be open. The right and left swipe only allows
for switching between open apps. This gesture will only work from within an application.
It cannot be performed from the home screen.
Five Finger Gestures
The only five finger gesture currently available is the pinch. The gesture is performed by
pinching all five fingers together on the screen. It is best to start with the fingers spread
a good distance apart, then quickly bring them in towards center. This gesture closes an
open application. It only closes the app, it does not shut it down. Apps must be shut
down manually. Using the five finger pinch is the IOS equivalent of minimizing a
program on Windows or Mac computers.
The Rotor
This is one of the more complex VoiceOver gestures due to the somewhat awkward
motion that is required in order to successfully activate it. There are many ways to
perform the gesture. An easy way to do this is hold the device in both hands, using both
thumbs, swipe up with one thumb while simultaneously swiping down with the other
thumb. The rotor is used to set the level of navigation. The navigation level is used to
navigate documents or web pages by line, word, character etc.
The gesture can be performed with one hand by using the pointer and middle fingers
and making the motion of a little walking man taking one step across the screen. The
pointer finger swipes up while the middle finger swipes down, giving the impression of
two legs merrily strolling down the iDevice. It is necessary to give a slight twist to the
wrist when performing this gesture.
Be patient with this gesture. Don't get discouraged, it takes some practice.
Note
The above gestures are the VoiceOver gestures for iOS 5.0.1. Make sure your iPad,
iPod, or iPhone is updated with the current version of IOS.