Accessibility Guidelines

Provide closed captions for all pre-recorded audio and video content

Provide real-time captions for live audio content when feasible

Respect system caption style preferences (font, size, color, background)

Position captions to avoid obscuring important visual content

Provide audio descriptions for visual media content

Provide extended audio descriptions when standard descriptions are insufficient

Provide text transcripts for audio-only content

Consider providing sign language interpretation for important video content

Support mono audio for stereo content

Respect system audio balance settings

Ensure audio is compatible with Made for iPhone hearing aids

Consider how app sounds interact with Sound Recognition feature

Ensure app audio works with Background Sounds feature

Provide visual or haptic alternatives for audio cues

Never convey essential information through audio alone

Ensure speech audio has sufficient contrast against background audio

Provide independent volume controls for different audio types

Don't auto-play audio that lasts more than 3 seconds

Support audio ducking so VoiceOver remains audible

Content should follow a logical reading order for screen readers

Use proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3) for content structure

Use accessibility containers to define landmark regions

Navigation patterns should be consistent throughout the app

UI elements with same functionality should be identified consistently

Clearly identify and describe errors in form fields

Provide suggestions for correcting input errors when possible

Prevent errors through clear instructions and input constraints

Provide clear labels and instructions for user input

Identify the purpose of input fields to enable autofill

Focus changes should not automatically trigger unexpected context changes

Changing settings should not cause unexpected context changes

Use clear, simple language for UI text and instructions

Provide expansion for unusual abbreviations on first use

Write content at appropriate reading level for target audience

Provide contextual help for complex tasks

Don't require users to remember information across screens

Show progress for multi-step processes

Warn users before session timeouts and allow extension

Allow users to review and confirm before final submission

Ensure app works properly with Guided Access enabled

Don't require sustained attention for non-essential features

Allow users to defer or dismiss interruptions like notifications

Respect Reduce Motion setting by replacing animations with fades or instant transitions

Disable parallax scrolling effects when Reduce Motion is enabled

Use crossfade transitions instead of sliding animations when Reduce Motion is enabled

Respect the Prefer Cross-Fade Transitions setting independently of Reduce Motion

Respect the Auto-Play Animated Images setting for GIFs and animations

Respect the Dim Flashing Lights setting for videos

Content should not flash more than 3 times per second

All interactive elements need visible focus states for keyboard navigation

Focus order should follow a logical sequence matching visual layout

All functionality must be accessible via keyboard/switch control

Provide keyboard shortcuts for common actions (especially on iPad/Mac)

Avoid conflicts with system keyboard shortcuts

Provide clear way to dismiss keyboard (especially on iPad with hardware keyboard)

Ensure app is fully navigable with Switch Control enabled

Group related UI elements for efficient Switch Control navigation

Ensure all interactive elements work with Voice Control

Accessibility labels should match visible text for Voice Control

Support Dwell Control for users who use head tracking or eye tracking

Ensure app works with camera-based head tracking input

Provide hover states for iPadOS and macOS pointer interactions

Allow users to extend or disable time limits for interactions

Don't impose time limits unless essential to the function

Provide undo functionality for destructive or significant actions

Require confirmation for destructive actions

All tappable elements must be at least 44x44 points

Even small visual elements need 44x44pt tap area

Maintain adequate spacing between touch targets to prevent accidental activation

Touch targets on watchOS should be minimum 38x38 points

Provide haptic feedback for important actions, confirmations, and state changes

Use appropriate haptic feedback types for different interactions

Provide alternatives to complex gestures like multi-finger swipes or 3D Touch

Provide alternative undo mechanisms beyond shake gesture

Respect system touch accommodations for hold duration

Ensure app works with AssistiveTouch enabled

Support Hold Duration, Ignore Repeat, and Tap Assistance settings

Support cursor/pointer navigation for iPad and Mac Catalyst apps

Provide alternative methods for drag and drop operations

Normal text (under 18pt) must have minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio against background

Large text (18pt+ regular or 14pt+ bold) requires minimum 3:1 contrast ratio

For AAA compliance, normal text needs 7:1 and large text needs 4.5:1

UI components and graphical objects need 3:1 contrast ratio against adjacent colors

Focus indicators must have at least 3:1 contrast against background

Links must be distinguishable from surrounding text (not by color alone)

Body text should be at least 11pt; never use text smaller than 10pt

Apps must support Dynamic Type across all text styles

Support the full range of Dynamic Type sizes from xSmall to Accessibility Extra Extra Extra Large

Layouts must adapt gracefully to all Dynamic Type sizes without truncation or overlap

Images and icons should scale proportionally with Dynamic Type settings

Respect the Bold Text accessibility setting throughout the app

Never use color as the only means of conveying information

UI should be usable for users with protanopia (red-blindness)

UI should be usable for users with deuteranopia (green-blindness)

UI should be usable for users with tritanopia (blue-blindness)

Test app with system Color Filters enabled (Grayscale, Red/Green, Blue/Yellow)

Respect Reduce Transparency accessibility setting by replacing blur effects with solid colors

Provide higher contrast colors and borders when Increase Contrast setting is enabled

Respect the Differentiate Without Color setting to add shapes to color-coded elements

Correctly handle Smart Invert to avoid double-inverting images and media

Ensure app remains usable with Classic Invert enabled

Provide proper Dark Mode support with maintained contrast ratios

All interactive elements must have meaningful accessibility labels

Buttons should have labels describing their action, not their appearance

Images need accessibility labels unless purely decorative

Provide hints for non-obvious interactions or custom controls

Apply appropriate accessibility traits (button, link, header, adjustable, etc.)

Provide current value for adjustable controls like sliders

Group related elements into single accessibility containers when appropriate

Provide custom actions for elements with multiple interactions

Support VoiceOver rotor for navigation by headings, links, and landmarks

Announce dynamic content changes to VoiceOver users

Properly handle modal views for VoiceOver navigation

Ensure app content remains usable when system Zoom is enabled

Don't place critical UI where Zoom controller typically appears

Support Larger Accessibility Sizes beyond standard Dynamic Type range

Add underlines or shapes to buttons when Button Shapes is enabled

Show I/O labels on switches when the On/Off Labels setting is enabled

Respect the Auto-Play Video Previews setting