How to use AssistiveTouch on iPhone and iPad

By Bryan M Wolfe
published

iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore)
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AssistiveTouch is an accessibility feature that can help people with motor skill impairments get the most out of the best iPhone or iPad. For example, with AssistiveTouch enabled, you'll be able to perform actions like pinching to zoom or 3D Touch with just a tap instead.

Here's how to enable AssistiveTouch and use it!

How to enable AssistiveTouch

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Choose Touch.

To enable AssistiveTouch, launch the Settings app, tap Accessibility, then choose Touch. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap AssistiveTouch to turn it on.
  2. Toggle AssistiveTouch.

To enable AssistiveTouch, tap AssistiveTouch, then toggle AssistiveTouch. (Image credit: iMore)

A dark square with a white circle will appear on your screen. This is your shortcut to the AssistiveTouch menu, and it'll appear on every screen.

You can tap on it to open the AssistiveTouch menu or drag it around the screen and out of the way if you're trying to do something.

How to use AssistiveTouch

  1. Tap the AssistiveTouch shortcut on any screen.
  2. Choose an option:
    • Notifications: Brings up Notification Center, so you don't have to swipe down from the top.
    • Device: This allows you to perform various functions, like locking the screen, changing the volume, rotating the screen, and more.
    • Control Center: Brings up Control Center instead of having to swipe up from the bottom.
    • Home: Brings you to the Home screen without having to press the Home button.
    • Siri: Activates Siri.
    • Custom: This allows you to perform and add custom gestures, like zooming.

To use AssistiveTouch, tap the AssistiveTouch shortcut, then choose an option, which include notifications, device, Control Center, home, Siri, and custom. (Image credit: iMore)

Note: These are the default buttons, but they can be changed at any time.

How to add custom gestures to AssistiveTouch

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Choose Touch.

To enable AssistiveTouch, launch the Settings app, tap Accessibility, then choose Touch. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap AssistiveTouch.
  2. Select Create New Gesture…

To add custom gestures, tap AssistiveTouch, then choose Create New Gesture. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose or swipe to create a new gesture. A series of taps or swipes will be combined into one multi-touch gesture.
  2. Selection Stop in the bottom right corner when you've finished your gesture.
  3. Tap Play to preview your gesture, Record to re-record it.

To add custom gestures, tap or swipe to create a new gesture, top stop when you're done recording. Then tap play to review your gesture, and record to re-record it. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Save in the top right corner to save the gesture.
  2. Add the name of the gesture in the box.
  3. Tap Save.

To add custom gestures, tap Save in the top right corner to save the gesture, then add the name of the gesture in the box. Finally, tap save. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the Custom button on AssistiveTouch.
  2. Choose the custom gesture to use it.

To add custom gestures, top the custom button on AssistiveTouch, then choose the custom gesture to use it. (Image credit: iMore)

How to customize the Top Level menu for AssistiveTouch

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Choose Touch.

To enable AssistiveTouch, launch the Settings app, tap Accessibility, then choose Touch. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap AssistiveTouch.
  2. Choose AssistiveTouch.
  3. Tap Customize Top Level Menu…

To customize the top level menu for AssistiveTouch, tap AssistiveTouch, choose AssistiveTouch, then tap customize top level menu. (Image credit: iMore)

To add a button

To add a new button to the AssistiveTouch:

  1. Tap the plus at the bottom right to add a new button.
  2. Select the newly created button.
  3. Tap a function or action.

To customize the top level menu for AssistiveTouch, tap the plus at the bottom right to add a new button. Next, select the newly created button, then tap a function or action. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Done in the top right corner. Notice the new button.

To customize the top level menu for AssistiveTouch, tap Done. Notice the new button. (Image credit: iMore)

To delete an existing button or reset

You can also delete current AssistiveTouch buttons or change them back to the default:

  1. Tap the minus at the bottom right to remove a button.
  2. Repeat Step 1 to remove additional buttons.
  3. Tap Reset to go back to the default setting.

To customize the top level menu for AssistiveTouch, tap the minus at the bottom right to remove a button. Repeat this step to remove other buttons. Tap reset to go back to the default setting. (Image credit: iMore)

You can't choose which button to delete. Instead, it selects the one nearest to the button on the screen. If you delete the wrong button, however, you can add it back using the steps above.

How to use a mouse or trackpad with your mobile device

You can also use a Bluetooth-enable mouse or trackpad with your mobile device. This makes it easier to point-and-tap on things on the screen.

How to use Custom Actions

Custom Actions allow you to interact directly with the AssistiveTouch icon without actually opening the menu.

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Choose Touch.

To enable AssistiveTouch, launch the Settings app, tap Accessibility, then choose Touch. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap AssistiveTouch.
  2. Tap Single-Tap, Double-Tap, or Long Press to customize each action.
  3. Tap on the Option you would like to action to have.

To use custom actions, tap AssistiveTouch, tap single-tap, double-tap, or long press to customize each actin. Tap on the option you would like the action to have. (Image credit: iMore)

You can choose from options like none, open menu, home, notifications, Siri, control center, lock screen, volume up, volume down, mute, accessibility shortcut, shake, app switcher, screenshot, lock rotation, pinch, double-tap, SOS, analytics, reachability, restate, and speak screen.

Questions?

Let us know if you have any questions about AssistiveTouch on iPhone or iPad below.

Updated July 2021: Updated for the latest version of iOS and iPadOS.

Bryan M Wolfe
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.