Accessible mobile applications

Last updated December 1, 2020

In order to assure that mobile applications are accessible and usable, developers use mobile accessibility standards. Use this guide to learn about common mobile application barriers and ways to address them.

Features of Accessible Mobile Apps

People access websites and applications on a range of devices.  Features of accessible mobile applications include:

  • Bright and readable text with adequate color contrast for Android and for iOS.
  • Large and simple controls with generous sizing and spacing.
  • Speech-to-text interaction enabled for all text fields, as well as text-to-speech for screen readers.
  • Audio and video content that includes captions or transcripts.
  • Alerts and notifications that can be accessed in multiple ways (sound, visual, haptic).
  • Simple touch screen gestures with workarounds for users not using a touch screen.

Find additional information about mobile app accessibility standards through W3C.

iOS and Android App Development Resources

iOS

Use these resources for developing iOS mobile apps compatible with built-in accessibility features or find more information at iOS accessibility for Apple developers.

  • Create applications in native environments such as XCode and Swift to leverage accessibility features.
  • Apple devices come equipped with a multitude of accessibility features including VoiceOver and Siri.

Android

Use these resources for developing Android mobile apps compatible with built-in accessibility features or find more information at Android accessibility for developers.

Accessibility Features on Apple and Android Devices

You can test your mobile application for accessibility by using built-in accessibility features in Android and iOS.

Accessibility features on Apple devices

Check out additional accessibility features on Apple devices.

Accessibility features on Android devices

Check out additional accessibility features on Android devices.