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Last updated on : 21 Jan 2025

Activating Screen Reader (VoiceOver) on iOS Devices

Overview

VoiceOver is Apple’s built in screen reader that provides spoken feedback for on screen elements and actions. Enabling VoiceOver lets testers navigate apps using gestures and audio cues instead of visual input. This helps validate accessibility labels, focus order, rotor actions, and gesture support on iOS. It is essential for ensuring inclusive and standards compliant experiences for users with visual impairments.

What is a Screen Reader and Why It Matters?

A screen reader is an assistive technology that converts on screen content such as text, buttons, and alerts into spoken feedback or braille output. Users with visual impairments rely on it to navigate apps independently using gestures and audio guidance. In accessibility testing, screen readers help teams verify correct labeling, logical focus movement, and usable non visual interactions. Testing with VoiceOver ensures iOS apps deliver accessible, inclusive, and compliant user experiences.

Prerequisites

• User must be registered Pcloudy account

note

This feature is supported only on iPads version 15 and above

Steps

1. Login to the Pcloudy platform.

2. Click on Real Devices under the Functional Experience tab in the Left Panel of the Pcloudy platform.

3. Click on Mobile Browser on the Real Devices page

4. Select the device and click on Start Testing

5. This will automatically open the device browser.

6. Select any website on the mobile browser to test the Screen Reader function.

7. Click on Screen Reader on the Left Panel and enable the radio button to Activate Voiceover.

8. The user will be able to hear the option read out loud once the Voiceover feature is activated.

9. Testers can use this feature to test the Accessibility of various websites or Mobile Apps.

note

Make sure your system's audio is enabled to hear the button descriptions.