Use Switch Control on iPad

With Switch Control, you can use the following methods to select an item on the screen:

Item scanning: The focus moves (automatically or manually) from one item to the next until you select an item; this is the default scanning method.
Point scanning: You select an item on the screen by pinpointing it with scanning crosshairs.
Head tracking: () You use the movement of your head to control a pointer on the screen. You can also use facial expressions to perform actions.

After you select an item, you can choose an action (for example, tap, drag, or pinch) in the Scanner Menu.

Use item scanning

With item scanning, the focus sequentially moves from one item to the next item on the screen.

If you use Auto Scanning, watch or listen as the focus moves. If you use Manual Scanning, trigger your Move to Next Item action to move the focus.
When the focus surrounds the item you want, trigger your Select Item switch.
In the Scanner Menu, choose an action such as the following:
- Tap
- Gestures
- Scroll
- Media Controls
- More (the dots at the bottom of the menu) for more options
- Home (to return to the Home screen)
- Device (for other hardware actions)
- Settings (to adjust Switch Control behavior)
The available actions in the Scanner Menu depend on the selected item.

To dismiss the Scanner menu without choosing an action, trigger your switch while the original item is highlighted and all the icons in the Scanner Menu are dimmed.

Use point scanning

With point scanning, you select an item on the screen by pinpointing it with scanning crosshairs.

Use item scanning to select an item.
In the Scanner Menu, choose Gliding Cursor.
To position the vertical crosshair, do the following:
- Trigger your Select Item switch when the wide vertical band is over the item you want.
- Trigger your Select Item switch again when the fine vertical line is over the item.
Repeat to position the horizontal crosshair.
Choose an action from the Scanner Menu.

To return to item scanning, choose Item Mode in the Scanner Menu.

Use head tracking

On an iPad with Face ID, you can move your head to control a pointer on the screen. You can also use facial expressions to perform actions.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Head Tracking.
Turn on Head Tracking, then do any of the following:
- Assign actions to facial expressions: Choose actions to perform when you smile, open your mouth, stick out your tongue, or raise your eyebrows.
- Choose how the pointer tracks your head movement: Tap Tracking Mode, then choose With Face, When Facing Screen Edges, or Relative to Head.
- Adjust the pointer speed: Tap or .

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Use Switch Control on iPad

Use item scanning

Use point scanning

Use head tracking