AssistiveTouch adds a floating on-screen button that can replace physical button presses and complex gestures. It can lock the screen, adjust volume, take screenshots, open Control Center, restart the iPhone, and run custom actions.
AssistiveTouch is built into iPhone as an accessibility feature and is available on essentially every modern iOS version.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if a hardware button is unreliable, multi-finger gestures are difficult, or you simply want common controls available from a floating menu.
Turn On AssistiveTouch
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on.
- Or ask Siri to turn on AssistiveTouch.
- Or set AssistiveTouch as an Accessibility Shortcut so a triple-click of the side button toggles it.
A small gray button appears on screen. Drag it to an edge, tap it to open the menu, and tap outside the menu to close it.
Customize the Menu
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.
- Tap Customize Top Level Menu.
- Tap an icon and choose another command such as Screenshot, Siri, Control Center, Restart, or Lock Screen.
- Use the plus and minus buttons to change how many menu items appear.
- Tap Reset if you want the default layout back.
You can also assign Single-Tap, Double-Tap, and Long Press actions to the floating button so some commands run without opening the menu.
Advanced AssistiveTouch Uses
Virtual Multi-Finger Gestures
From the AssistiveTouch menu, use Device > More > Gestures to show virtual fingertips. Moving one finger can perform gestures that normally need two to five fingers.
Create Custom Gestures
In AssistiveTouch settings, tap Create New Gesture, record a tap or swipe pattern, test it, and save it to the menu.
Pointer Devices
AssistiveTouch can work with a Bluetooth mouse, trackpad, or compatible wired pointer device from its Devices settings.
Turn It Off
Return to AssistiveTouch settings and switch it off. The floating button disappears immediately.
Sources
- Apple Support: Use AssistiveTouch on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch