The recently released iOS 16.2 beta 2 includes a ‘Custom Accessibility Mode’ for iPhone and iPad. As discovered by 9to5Mac, the new mode is code-named “Clarity” and provides a streamlined experience on iOS and iPadOS.
Accessibility is embedded in all Apple products. As the company designs its devices for all, it offers innovative features like VoiceOver to describe what’s on the screen, Voice Control to give commands, Speak Selection eye-tracking support for iPadOS, and others for users with hearing and visual impairments to lead an independent and productive.
Recently, Apple introduced new accessibility features on iOS 16 like Door Detection for individuals with visual impairment, Live Captions across devices for individuals with hearing impairment, and more for users with special needs. And it appears that the company is working on another new iOS interface to further improve the accessibility experience.
iOS 16.2 ‘Custom Accessibility Mode’ will bring a simplified and customizable interface to iPhone and iPad
The report details that the new and more streamlined accessibility mode is going to replace the current Springboard UI on iPhone and iPad. It will feature a more user-friendly, simplified, and customizable design to let users lock their devices to a single app but will let them navigate through the system with few restrictions.
When the Custom Accessibility Mode will be enabled, the Lock Screen will be simplified with a “Hold Down to Enter” and the Home Screen will have larger icons with no Dock, the UI will focus only on important and larger elements.
For example, users will be able to set things like UI and larger text, apps available on the Home Screen, allowed contacts, and access to hardware buttons for when Custom Accessibility Mode is enabled. A password can be set to prevent others from changing these settings. A triple-click on the side button (or Home button) quickly enables and disables Custom Accessibility Mode.
Although the new mode is found in iOS 16.2 beta 2 code, it can not be said with certainty that it will be part of the build’s public release expected in December.
The iOS 16.2 will includes new medication widget and Sleep widgets for iOS 16 Lock Screen, along with Live Activities with more frequent updates, Freeform, and reports on unintentional Emergency SOS triggers.
