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Android Accessibility Features

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Due to the various available Android devices and brands, wording and location of the following options may vary. However, because many are app-based, they are downloadable for free on the Google Play Store. This allows plenty of users to have full access even if their phones aren't pre-loaded with them. Many of the demonstrations of these features are with Pixel phones so results may vary across all Android devices.

Image of three android accessibility features screens

Hearing

  • Live Transcribe and Sound Notifications (link)
    • Use your phone's microphone to listen and transcribe audio into a text format that's easily viewable on your device.
    • There are up to 80 languages supported as of now and you can quickly switch between two languages at a time to keep up with conversations.
    • Sound notifications allow your device to notify you if certain sounds, like your name being called, to make sure you don't miss something important.
    • These features are downloadable via Google Play Store and integrates into Android Accessibility Settings.
  • Live Caption (Learn More)
    • Allows audio playing from the device to be transcribed onto your display to easily follow along with the content.
    • Only available in English as of now.
    • Profanity filter can be enabled to prevent transcription, those words are instead replaced with an asterisk (*). Noises like applause and laughter are also capable of being labeled in the transcription.
    • Integrates with volume control to easily enable and disable
    • Caption your phone calls.
  • Hearing Aids (Learn More)
    • Can be paired via Bluetooth settings or in Accessibility:
      • Open your device's Settings app . Tap Accessibility Hearing aids Tap Continue Pair new device.
    • Your phone will tell you that both left and right are active, in case multiple aids are needed.
  • Sound Amplifier (link)
    • Your phone's microphone is used to boost certain sounds and limit background noise that can distract the user.
    • Allows for clearer conversations.
    • Only enabled when using headphones.
    • App available via Google Play Store

Vision

Image of android accessibility talkback voice features screens

  • TalkBack
    • Screen reader that allows the user to use gestures on the device and the device will read aloud the screen.
    • Can be combined with Braille settings, including adding a Braille keyboard
    • Notifications can be customized and read aloud to the user, such as low battery status or new messages.
  • Low Vision Tools
    • Invert colors, contrast, increase text size, bold text are a few examples of what can be changed to help the display be more accessible to users.
    • Zoom and screen magnifier are available to make screen text more visible and easier to read for users.
  • Lookout
    • Use your phone's camera to identify objects nearby and even do a search for the object in question. This is also a method of live translating or copying text.
    • Samsung has Bixby Vision, which is their version of Lookout. Nearby object searching offers Pinterest results of the objects.
    • These features are accessed through the pre-installed camera app and typically found scrolling through photo, video, portrait, etc.
  • Reading Mode for Android
    • Allows changes of the screen you're viewing to customize the layout in a more comfortable and easy to view reading mode.
    • Can be used to read aloud the new layout of text to further assist in following along with the text.
    • App is available via Google Play Store.

Mobility

  • Voice Access (Sound Amplifier)
    • Another feature of Sound Amplifier is allowing the user to control their device all through voice.
    • Prompts the user with numbered options to tell the device what to select on the screen.
  • Action Blocks
    • Essentially another term for Shortcuts, these are widgets that are displayed on the device's home screen that will perform whatever action is created.
      • Examples include calling somebody without dialing the number or opening the phone app or opening a specific URL on Chrome.
    • Can be setup to say something aloud on the speaker of the device, such as “Hi, my name is ____” to assist with speech disabilities.
    • App is available via Google Play Store.
  • Camera Switches (link)
    • Uses facial gestures using the front camera or adding external devices to control the phone.
    • App is available via Google Play Store.
  • Project Activate
    • Uses facial gestures for those who have a speech disability or handicap to communicate to others on their device.
    • Set-up preset responses with specific facial gestures that can be customized, such as smiling or looking up.
    • App will walk the user through setting up the presets in the settings.
    • Very simplified and is suited more towards quick actions such as specific phrases. It would take a long time to set up several phrases or actions using this app.
    • App available via Google Play Store.
  • Look to Speak
    • Has preset commands that can be utilized with eye tracking. User would look in the suggested direction for the phrase they wish to use.
    • Customizable phrases.
    • Great for caregivers when asking basic questions
    • App is available via Google Play Store.

More Android accessibility information