Apple is once again pulling back the curtain on significant accessibility advancements ahead of the usual fanfare, previewing a substantial list of features slated for iOS 19 and its companion operating systems later this year. While the main reveal waits for WWDC in June, this early look confirms that core system functionalities across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and even Vision Pro are getting serious upgrades designed to empower users with diverse needs.
Among the notable enhancements hitting iOS 19 are critical improvements for CarPlay, directly benefiting drivers and passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Building on existing capabilities, the updated Sound Recognition feature in CarPlay will now go beyond external alerts like horns and sirens to even detect the sound of a crying baby inside the vehicle, providing crucial notifications.
Furthermore, CarPlay is finally gaining support for the Large Text option, a long-standard feature on iPhones, making the in-car interface significantly easier to read at a glance for users with low vision. These specific updates highlight Apple’s effort to extend accessibility considerations into key user environments beyond the typical device screen.
Beyond the automotive updates, the breadth of new accessibility features coming with iOS 19 is considerable, touching various aspects of system interaction. For users with mobility challenges, Eye Tracking and Head Tracking are being refined for more intuitive device control, while the system will now even support Brain Computer Interfaces through a new Switch Control protocol, a major step for users with severe mobility disabilities.
Vision Pro also sees enhanced viewing options for users with low vision, leveraging its advanced cameras. Meanwhile, new features like Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store aim to make it easier for anyone to understand the accessibility features of apps before downloading them, a practical improvement for discovering inclusive software.
Other significant additions span across different areas of need. The Braille experience is being completely overhauled across Apple devices, promising a more integrated and functional note-taking experience. For those who benefit from audio aids, Background Sounds gains more personalization options like EQ settings and timers, while Music Haptics becomes more customizable, allowing users to feel vibrations for just vocals or the entire song.
Sound Recognition is expanding with Name Recognition alerts, and Personal Voice, the feature allowing users to create a synthetic voice matching their own, can now be generated in under a minute using on-device AI and adds support for new languages, alongside Voice Control and Live Captions, which are also gaining broader language support.
