# Implementing Assistive Access in iOS
## Overview
Assistive Access is an accessibility feature introduced in iOS and iPadOS 17 designed specifically for people with cognitive disabilities. It provides a streamlined system experience with simplified interfaces, clear pathways, and consistent design practices to reduce cognitive load.
Key characteristics of Assistive Access:
- Streamlined interactions
- Clear pathways to success
- Consistent design language
- Large controls
- Visual alternatives to text
- Reduced cognitive strain
## Setting Up Assistive Access in Your App
### 1. Enable Assistive Access Support
Add the following key to your app's `Info.plist`:
```xml
<key>UISupportsAssistiveAccess</key>
<true/>
```
This ensures your app is listed under "Optimized Apps" in Accessibility Settings and launches in full screen when Assistive Access is enabled.
### 2. Full Screen Support (Optional)
If your app is already designed for cognitive disabilities (e.g., AAC apps) and you want to display it in full screen without modifications:
```xml
<key>UISupportsFullScreenInAssistiveAccess</key>
<true/>
```
This will display your app in full screen rather than in a reduced frame, with the same appearance as when Assistive Access is turned off.
## Creating an Assistive Access Scene
### SwiftUI Implementation
1. Add an `AssistiveAccess` scene to your app:
```swift
import SwiftUI
@main
struct MyApp: App {
var body: some Scene {
WindowGroup {
ContentView()
}
AssistiveAccess {
AssistiveAccessContentView()
}
}
}
```
2. Create a dedicated view for Assistive Access:
```swift
struct AssistiveAccessContentView: View {
var body: some View {
// Your streamlined interface for Assistive Access
NavigationStack {
List {
// Simplified controls and options
}
.navigationTitle("My App")
}
}
}
```
3. Preview your Assistive Access scene:
```swift
#Preview(traits: .assistiveAccess)
AssistiveAccessContentView()
```
### UIKit Implementation
1. Declare a SwiftUI scene with UIKit:
```swift
import UIKit
import SwiftUI
class AssistiveAccessSceneDelegate: UIHostingSceneDelegate {
static var rootScene: some Scene {
AssistiveAccess {
AssistiveAccessContentView()
}
}
}
```
2. Activate the scene:
```swift
import UIKit
@main
class AppDelegate: UIApplicationDelegate {
func application(_ application: UIApplication, configurationForConnecting connectingSceneSession: UISceneSession, options: UIScene.ConnectionOptions) -> UISceneConfiguration {
let role = connectingSceneSession.role
let sceneConfiguration = UISceneConfiguration(name: nil, sessionRole: role)
if role == .windowAssistiveAccessApplication {
sceneConfiguration.delegateClass = AssistiveAccessSceneDelegate.self
}
return sceneConfiguration
}
}
```
## Detecting Assistive Access at Runtime
You can check if Assistive Access is enabled using the environment value:
```swift
struct MyView: View {
@Environment(\.accessibilityAssistiveAccessEnabled) var assistiveAccessEnabled
var body: some View {
if assistiveAccessEnabled {
// Show Assistive Access optimized UI
} else {
// Show standard UI
}
}
}
```
## Navigation Icons for Assistive Access
Add navigation icons to make your interface more visually accessible:
```swift
NavigationStack {
MyView()
.navigationTitle("My Feature")
.assistiveAccessNavigationIcon(systemImage: "star.fill")
}
```
Or with a custom image:
```swift
.assistiveAccessNavigationIcon(Image("my-custom-icon"))
```
## Design Principles for Assistive Access
When designing for Assistive Access, follow these key principles:
1. **Distill to Core Functionality**
- Focus on one or two essential features
- Remove distractions and unnecessary options
- Streamline the experience
2. **Clear, Prominent Controls**
- Use large, easy-to-tap buttons
- Provide ample spacing between interactive elements
- Avoid hidden gestures or timed interactions
3. **Multiple Representations**
- Present information in multiple ways (text, icons, etc.)
- Use visual alternatives to text
- Ensure icons are clear and meaningful
4. **Intuitive Navigation**
- Create step-by-step pathways
- Provide clear back buttons
- Maintain consistent navigation patterns
5. **Safe Interactions**
- Remove irreversible actions when possible
- Provide multiple confirmations for destructive actions
- Offer clear feedback for all interactions
## Control Styling in Assistive Access
When using the Assistive Access scene, native SwiftUI controls are automatically displayed in the distinctive Assistive Access design:
- Buttons, lists, and navigation titles appear in a more prominent style
- Controls adhere to the grid or row screen layout configured in Assistive Access settings
- No additional styling work is required
## Testing Assistive Access Implementation
1. **Preview in Xcode**
Use the `.assistiveAccess` trait in SwiftUI previews:
```swift
#Preview(traits: .assistiveAccess)
AssistiveAccessContentView()
```
2. **Test on Device**
- Enable Assistive Access in Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access
- Verify your app appears in the "Optimized Apps" list
- Test the full user flow in Assistive Access mode
3. **Accessibility Inspector**
Use Xcode's Accessibility Inspector to identify and fix accessibility issues
## Best Practices
- Design for clarity and simplicity
- Focus on essential functionality
- Use consistent UI patterns
- Provide visual alternatives to text
- Test with actual users who have cognitive disabilities
- Combine Assistive Access with other accessibility features
## References
- [AssistiveAccess (SwiftUI)](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/SwiftUI/AssistiveAccess)
- [assistiveAccessNavigationIcon(_:)](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/SwiftUI/View/assistiveAccessNavigationIcon(_:))
- [accessibilityAssistiveAccessEnabled](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/SwiftUI/EnvironmentValues/accessibilityAssistiveAccessEnabled)
- [WWDC 2025 Session: Customize your app for Assistive Access](https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2025/238)
- [What's new in SwiftUI (WWDC 2025)](https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2025/256)
- [Principles of inclusive app design](https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2025/316)
