Android Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:

Last Updated June 29th, 2025.

Android Accessibility Audio Recordings:

Overview of Android Accessibility of the Visually Impaired:

  • Accessibility Features that allows individuals to be able to see their phone easier, rely on sound and vibration feedback, use their phone with their voice, and use their phone without needing to use vision.

  • Magnification Feature. Select to Speak.

  • Google Voice Assistant. Bixby Voice Assistant. Gemini Voice Assistant.

  • TalkBack Screen Reader.

  • Helpful Apps.

Android Accessibility Features:

To turn on accessibility features, go to the Settings app and then go to the Accessibility section. In the Settings app, there are other sections to adjust other features such as Sound & Vibration, Display, and Wallpaper & Style.

Other helpful features include pressing the volume up button to answer a phone call and pressing the power button to end a phone call.

Screen Flash Notifications:

The whole screen will flash one color when a notification is received or when alarms sound. The color can be selected such as yellow or red. The feature can be for all apps or specific apps. Each app can have a specific color for it.

System Sounds:

Select sounds to play when specific actions are taken such as pressing a button, charging, and locking the screen.

Select to Speak:

Select text on the screen to be read aloud. 

  • Turn the feature on or off using one of the ways available such as a Select to Speak button on the Accessibility Button menu. 

  • The Select to Speak menu appears on screen with a play button, stop button, and left arrow button which shows more buttons. 

  • Turn the Select to Speak feature on then press the play button to hear the text on screen read aloud starting at the top left corner of the screen.

  • To start reading at a specific word, turn on Select to Speak then tap the word.

  • To read a part of the screen, tap hold then drag a box over the area.

Android Select to Speak Feature Instructions Link: mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/how-to-read-selected-text-aloud-using-select-to-speak-in-android-14.

Phone and Tablet Keyboard Accessibility:

  • Use Large Print and Audio Feedback Features.

  • Use a Touch Screen Stylus.

  • Use a Large Print Keyboard App.

  • Use the Dictate Feature.

  • Use a Voice Assistant. Use Siri for Apple devices and Google Assistant, Gemini, or Bixby for Android devices.

  • Use a Screen Reader. Use VoiceOver for Apple devices and TalkBack for Android devices.

  • Use a Bluetooth Keyboard.

Dictate Feature:

Use the dictate feature to speak instead of type. To use this feature, locate the dictate button which is typically shown as a microphone icon on the keyboard. Press the dictate button once to begin recording and then press it again once finished.

Adapting the Home Screen Buttons:

The home screen buttons can be adapted so that they are easier to locate. Bright colored tape, black tape, or loc dots are recommended. Loc dots are available from Maxiaids.com.

Samsung vs Google:

Android accessibility features are different depending on what type of Android device you have and what version of Android it is using. Two popular types of Androids are Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. Each type offers different accessibility features.

Magnification Feature:

The Magnification Feature on Android devices allows the user to magnify the whole screen or magnify one part of the screen.

  • To set up the Magnification Feature, go to the Settings App, then to the Accessibility section, then to the Vision section, and then to the Magnification section.

  • You can choose between three options to turn the Magnification Feature on or off: use the accessibility button, hold both volume buttons, or quickly tap the screen three times with one finger.

  • To move around the screen, drag with two fingers. Pinch and zoom on the screen to adjust the magnification amount.

  • To use the Magnification Feature temporarily, press and hold the screen after turning the feature on. Once you are finished then lift your finger to turn off the feature.

Voice Assistants for Android:

Use voice commands to use an Android phone or tablet.

  • Google Assistant.

  • Bixby.

  • Gemini.

TalkBack:

TalkBack is an Android screen reader that speaks out what’s on the screen and is used to navigate the screen using gestures.