iOS Lesson 3: Using the VoiceOver Rotor

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Using the VoiceOver Rotor

The VoiceOver Rotor is a Two Finger Gesture which opens a menu to control how the VoiceOver cursor moves.

The Rotor can have a different set of options on it depending on where on the screen you use it. It allows you to quickly change text and web navigation settings quite easily, adjust the speaking rate, or open the text edit menu if you need it.

Using the VoiceOver Rotor

To use the Rotor, Rotate Two Fingers on the screen as if you are turning a rotary dial on a radio.

You can also use One Finger from each hand by Dragging Up with One Finger and Drag Down with the Other at the same time.

VoiceOver speaks the setting name each time you rotate your fingers, stop rotating when you hear the setting that you want to use.

Next you can Swipe Up or Down with One Finger to navigate the screen using that setting. That could be moving from Heading to Heading when you are online, or moving by word or character in a text document.

The VoiceOver Practice area is a good place to practice this and other gestures. Visit it by going to: Settings/Accessibility/VoiceOver/VoiceOver Practice and find the VoiceOver Practice button, then Double-Tap to start.

Customize the VoiceOver Rotor

Go to Settings/Accessibility/VoiceOver.

Do any of the following:

To add or reorder the Rotor settings, tap Rotor, choose the settings you want, or drag the settings reorder button to change its order in the list.

To add another language, tap Speech/Add New Language (below Rotor Languages), then choose a language.

To have VoiceOver confirm Rotor actions, tap Verbosity and turn on Speak Confirmation.


Go to the Rotor Practice Page