Apple is planning to make iPhone and Macs more accessible and easier to navigate with its upcoming updates. According to a report by MacRumors, the Cupertino-based tech giant is planning to add a variety of new accessibility features and settings with its next iOS and macOS updates. The report claims that the company is developing new accessibility-related enhancements for iOS 18 (Codename Crystal) and macOS 15 (Codename Glow).
As per the report, industry sources have revealed that some of the key accessibility improvements the iPhone maker is planning to offer its users. Apple is working on several new accessibility features along with improvements to existing settings. These new and upgraded features are expected to be available later this year. These new updates are likely to be unveiled at the upcoming WWDC developer conference in June.

Adaptive Voice Shortcuts

This feature is expected to allow users to set a unique spoken phrase to an accessibility setting, the report notes. Users may get the option to create a custom phrase and select the accessibility setting they wish to toggle by speaking the phrase. By using Adaptive Voice Shortcuts, users will be able to toggle existing accessibility features like VoiceOver, Voice Control, Zoom and more

New categories for Live Speech

The Live Speech feature, which is already available in Apple’s operating systems, will receive a new section for user-created categories. Users will be able to organise phrases into different categories of their choosing.
While creating a category, users will have the option to name their category as well as choose from a selection of around 20 different icons. Once a category has been created, users will be able to add their desired phrases.

Custom font sizes for more apps

Apple is reportedly planning to expand its feature to adjust Text Size to more apps.. Located within the “Display” section of the “Accessibility” settings pane, the option allows users to choose custom font sizes for individual apps and select their preferred font size for reading.
Currently, macOS Sonoma supports custom font sizes for the five apps — Calendar, Finder, Mail, Messages and Notes. With macOS 15, this feature may expand support to five more apps — Books, News, Stocks, Tips and Weather.
The report also revealed that Apple is internally testing an option to alter the font size of the menu bar within macOS. However, the report didn’t confirm if this option will be available to end users.
Apple is also developing another accessibility feature that utilises on-device eye tracking. No other details about the feature was revealed. More information is expected to surface as the company prepares for WWDC 2024.