RTT, or Real-Time Text, lets a phone call happen through typed text. Characters can appear as they are typed, which makes the exchange closer to a live spoken call than a normal text conversation.
RTT is available on iOS 10 or later where supported by the carrier and region.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you or someone you call has difficulty hearing or speaking on voice calls and needs a real-time text calling option inside the Phone app.
Turn On RTT
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap RTT/TTY.
- Turn on Software RTT/TTY or RTT, depending on the iOS wording.
- Enable Send Immediately if you want characters sent as you type rather than after a completed message.
Make or Receive an RTT Call
- Open Phone and choose a contact.
- Open call options and choose RTT/TTY Call instead of a regular voice call.
- Type in the RTT text field during the call.
- Answer an incoming RTT call as you would a normal call; the text interface opens automatically.
RTT Notes
Carrier and Region Support
RTT and TTY are not available on every network. If the option is missing or calls fail, check carrier support first.
Relay Calls
Some carriers offer RTT/TTY relay calling through an operator for calls to people who do not have compatible equipment.
Emergency Services
RTT can reach emergency services in supported areas, similar to a voice call.
No Hardware Needed
Software RTT runs inside the iPhone Phone app. It does not require a separate physical TTY device.
Sources
- Apple Support: Set up and use RTT and TTY on iPhone
- Verizon: Manage RTT/TTY settings on iPhone
- Apple Support: Use RTT or TTY with iPhone