iOS VoiceOver

Last Updated: December 3, 2024

Users with low, partial, or no vision depend on screen readers to interpret web pages and help them navigate. This page provides setup instructions and troubleshooting tips for iOS VoiceOver.

Send instructions to join Zoom by email or provide guidance on the call

Note to participant: We’ll send a link to open on your phone through your preferred communication method of text/email before the scheduled interview time.

If possible, email these instructions to the participant before the session

Double-tap on that link to join the meeting through Zoom.
Depending on whether and how you’ve used the Zoom app before, you may encounter one of the following:
1. The “Video Preview” page.
  1. If you are uncomfortable with having your video on, swipe to “Join without Video” and double-tap on it. If you are OK with having your video on, swipe to “Join with Video” and double-tap on it.
2. A prompt to allow access to your microphone and video.
  1. For microphone access, swipe to “Allow” and double-tap it. We do not need your video, so feel free to either swipe to “Allow” if you’re comfortable with being on camera or “Don’t Allow” if you are not comfortable. Double-tap to confirm your choice.
Please wait until we (the meeting host) let you into the room. This should not take more than a minute if you’ve joined at the scheduled time.
Upon joining the room, Zoom will provide the prompt “To hear others, please join audio.” Please swipe and double-tap "Wifi or Cellular Data." This button will be at the center of their screen.

Setup the screen share

VoiceOver screen share setup demo (YouTube)

Use this script to explain how the participant can share their screen

Question, have you shared your screen before on Zoom? If no, please open your iPhone settings.
Go to your Control Center.
Find the “Insert screen recording” button and double-tap it to activate it.
When you’re done, please return back to the Zoom app.
Swipe to or find the "Share content" button and double-tap it. A menu will appear.
Swipe to the first option "Screen” and double-tap it.
Swipe to the "Start Broadcast" button and double-tap it. You'll hear a counter "3, 2, 1" and the screen share will begin.

Stop the screen share and link sharing

Use this script to explain how the participant can stop the screen share

If you need to stop sharing during this session, navigate back to the Zoom app and double-tap “Stop Share.” It’s located where the “Screen Share” button originally was at the bottom center of your screen.
A few moments after you stop sharing, an alert will appear letting you know you’ve stopped broadcasting. You can swipe to the “OK” button to dismiss the alert.
We'll send links to your preferred email or text for the websites we'll be asking you to visit.

Common problems during screen share setup

Issue	Description	Possible solutions
If the participant says they can't find the sharing button or other controls	Zoom allows you to swipe right when in a meeting to enable safe driving mode. This often interferes with iOS VoiceOver, which also allows you to swipe right to navigate.	Ask the participant to swipe left and try to search for the meeting controls again.
If the participant is using an iPad and their screen is frozen	Sometimes, Zoom will freeze up on iPads. It's a common problem that has happened in research sessions, even without using assistive technology like screen readers. Usually, the screen can be shared, but it will appear frozen.	If that's the case, you can either ask the participant to switch to another device, pivot the session or reschedule.
If the participant is using an iPad and they’re stuck in a context menu	Sometimes participants may get stuck in a separate Zoom context menu. This happens with a four finger swipe to the left when in a meeting. The context menu will display various controls for the meeting like mute, audio settings, etc. Sometimes focus gets lost when this happens.	Have the participant tap on the screen to restore focus, then they can swipe to the right to reach the Zoom button. Double-tap that to navigate back to the meeting.
If the screen is black	You aren’t able to see anything on the participant’s screen. It’s black.	Ask the participant if they have screen curtain or other screen hiding tech running. If they do, ask them to toggle it off, if they’re able.
If you don’t hear the screen reader	Zoom on iOS (and iPadOS) devices doesn’t have a “Share sound” checkbox. It’s not possible to directly share sound like it is on a desktop. Because of this, it can be very difficult to hear iOS VoiceOver over Zoom, since you have to rely on the participant’s speakers picking up the voice.	Ask the participant if they’re using headphones, hearing aids, or another device that directly receives sound. If yes, ask if they’re able to comfortably use their phone/desktop without that device, and to turn up their audio so you can hear VoiceOver through their speakers. You still might not be able to hear it, since Zoom cuts out background sounds by default. If no, or if they aren’t comfortable taking off their headphones, switch to think out loud facilitation.
If the participant is trapped looping through the video carousel	Participant can’t find the Share Content button	Swipe back and forth until you hear “Displaying [host name]'s video” (or “Displaying [host name]'s avatar” if host has video off). Double-tap, then, swipe right until you hear “Share Content” and double-tap.
If the participant is trapped in the Zoom meeting info	This is a bug in the Zoom app, and there’s no way for the participant to get out on their own.	Send them back to the waiting room for the Zoom meeting, then re-admit them. From the Participants list, open the three-dots menu and click “Put in Waiting Room.” Then, re-admit from the waiting room.
Low battery causing screen share issues	If a user is participating with a mobile device, and that device has the battery saver setting activated, there is a chance that screen sharing can fail.	Disable battery saver settings and, if possible, plug in phone.
Screen curtain	The screen is dark, even when the user is sharing their screen.	Try a 3 finger triple tap to turn screen curtain off. Hit the home button to get rid of the screen. Gets to the main zoom screen. Share screen. Additional screen curtain instructions.
Advancing past the shared screen modal/”Broadcast” screen	For mobile iPhone and iPad devices, after selecting “Start Broadcast,” the modal for screen sharing is counting up, and sharing, but the user can’t access their browser to conduct the usability test.	Solution option 1 (iPhone only): Have the user hold their finger on the screen after swiping up and feeling the first vibration. Solution option 2: From the bottom of the screen, drag one finger until you hear two rising tones, then lift your finger. This will bring the user to the main Zoom window. Do this one more time to get back to the home screen, where the user can access their browser and other applications. Then swipe right using 3 fingers to find and open the app you're looking for. See the Navigating out of Zoom's "Share broadcast" screen using VoiceOver video. (YouTube) Solution option 3: Use the app changer to toggle between screens. Using 1 finger, from the bottom of your screen, swipe halfway to the middle of the screen until you feel 2 vibrations. Lift your finger, then swipe right using 3 fingers to find and open the app you're looking for. See the How to Access App Switcher and Close Apps on VoiceOver Feature video. (YouTube)
User cannot turn off spoken notifications	iOS VoiceOver doesn’t allow a user to turn off spoken notifications. It is very distracting.	Have the user go to Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver, Verbosity, System Notifications, and turn off Use Silent Mode. Note: Have the user turn Use Silent Mode back on when done.

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