Apple expands AI accessibility features ahead of WWDC 2026

The latest updates bring smarter VoiceOver tools, AI-generated subtitles, enhanced Vision Pro controls, and improved accessibility support across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and other Apple devices.

Ahead of its Worldwide Developers Conference 2026, Apple has introduced a broad range of new accessibility features powered by Apple Intelligence, aiming to improve how users with disabilities interact with its devices and services.

The company said the updates are designed to make navigation easier through voice, vision, motion and language-based controls across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Vision Pro devices. Several of Apple’s existing accessibility tools, including VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control and Accessibility Reader, are receiving major AI-driven enhancements.

One of the biggest additions is an upgraded VoiceOver experience featuring a new Image Explorer capability. Apple said the feature can generate detailed spoken descriptions of images, documents, receipts and other visual content. Supported iPhone users will also be able to ask questions about objects visible through the camera and receive contextual audio responses in real time.

The company is also introducing AI-generated subtitles for videos that do not include captions. Using on-device speech recognition, Apple devices will automatically create subtitles for videos, online streams and shared clips. Users can further customise subtitle appearance and playback settings.

Smarter controls across devices

Apple’s Magnifier app is gaining enhanced AI-powered exploration tools, including spoken descriptions and hands-free voice controls. Users can issue commands such as zooming in or activating the flashlight through natural voice interactions.

Voice Control is also being updated with improved conversational understanding. Apple said users with mobility challenges will now be able to navigate apps and interfaces using more natural speech instead of memorising exact command phrases.

The Accessibility Reader feature has also been upgraded to better handle complex layouts, including scientific documents, tables and multi-column text formats.

For Apple Vision Pro users, Apple has introduced new eye-tracking-based wheelchair controls. The feature allows compatible wheelchair systems to be controlled using Vision Pro’s eye-tracking technology through Bluetooth or wired connections. Initially, the functionality will support select wheelchair platforms in the United States.

Broader accessibility push

Apple also announced several smaller updates across its ecosystem, including improved hearing aid support, expanded language recognition features, larger text support for tvOS, and enhanced eye-selection tools for Vision Pro.

In addition to software enhancements, the company said the Hikawa Grip & Stand accessory for iPhone is now available globally through the Apple Store online. The product was developed in collaboration with users facing mobility and grip-related challenges.

The announcements highlight Apple’s increasing focus on combining artificial intelligence with accessibility technologies ahead of WWDC 2026, where the company is expected to unveil further AI-related updates across its ecosystem.