Samsung Smartphone

How to find and use the accessibility features on Samsung Smartphone

Accessibility Settings

Finding the Accessibility Menu

1. Open the Settings application on your device.
2. Select Accessibility (you may have to scroll to the bottom of the settings menu to find this option).

Back to the top

Vision-Related

1. TalkBack

TalkBack provides spoken feedback to help low-vision users navigate their device.

1.1. Enabling TalkBack

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. From the Accessibility menu, select Talkback.
4. Tap on the toggle Use TalkBack.
   Note: A prompt will appear asking to allow TalkBack to have full control of the phone.
5. Once enabled, you can choose to enable the TalkBack shortcut and select which actions you can use to start using TalkBack directly.
6. Feel free to explore more advanced audio and control settings by selecting Settings from the TalkBack menu.

    

1.2. Navigating TalkBack

Note: When TalkBack is enabled, actions that are normally use with one finger such as scrolling are now used with two fingers.

1. Place a finger on the screen.
2. Slowly drag the finger across the screen. As the finger moves, the TalkBack screen reader will announce icons, buttons, text, and other items it encounters.
3. Pause for a few seconds and TalkBack will suggest actions that may be applicable such as replying to a message, opening a link in a new browser and more.
4. To engage with something on the screen, double-tap anywhere on the screen to select it.

1.3. Finger Gestures

Finger gestures allow users to navigate their mobile devices using TalkBack. For the most part, these gestures are largely customisable, and they can be customised to suit personal preferences by:

1. Opening Accessibility settings.
2. Finding TalkBack then selecting Settings.
3. Select Customise gestures.

There may be some gestures that are not customisable, and there may be other gestures that are not assigned to any particular action.

Some versions may have an option to Practise gestures. Select this option in the Customise gestures menu to practise using user-created customisations.

To reset customisations back to the factory defaults, select Reset gesture settings and click Reset or Confirm.

A list of finger gestures is available under the ‘Shortcuts’ section of the instruction guide. 

2. High Contrast Theme

Use themes that feature light colours on dark backgrounds which are easier on the eyes.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Visibility enhancements menu.
4. From the Visibility enhancements menu, select High contrast theme.
5. Try out the different contrast themes and select the theme that is most suitable.
6. From the Visibility enhancements menu, you can also enable or disable toggles for the following settings:
   • High contrast fonts: Enables high contrast on text.
   • High contrast keyboard: Enables high contrast for the keyboard.
   • Highlight buttons: Enables high contrast for buttons.
   • Colour inversion: Inverts the colours of the screen.

      

3. Colour Adjustment

Colour adjustment may assist in making you see colours easier.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Visibility enhancements menu.
4. From the Visibility enhancements menu, select Colour adjustment.
5. Select the toggle to turn on colour adjustment.
6. Select between the given colour schemes or create a personalised colour scheme by selecting Personalised colour.
7. Customise the intensity by sliding the cursor along the Intensity slider bar.

4. Add Colour Filter

Add a colour filter over the entire screen. This may help make the text easier to read.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Visibility enhancements menu.
4. From the Visibility enhancements menu, select Add colour filter.
5. Select the toggle to turn on colour filter.
6. Once enabled, you will now be able to choose what colour filter you would like applied to your phone.
7. Customise the opacity by sliding the cursor along the Opacity slider bar.

5. Magnifier Window

Open a window over the screen that zooms in to enlarge the content underneath.

5.1. Enabling Magnifier Window

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Visibility enhancements menu.
4. From the Visibility enhancements menu, select Magnifier window.
5. Select Magnifier window shortcut to enable the magnifier shortcut button on the home screen.
6. Read the pop-up message instructions and tap Got it.
7. From the menu above, you can change the following settings:
   • Zoom: Use the slider to adjust the zoom level.
   • Magnifier size: Select the size of the zoom between small, medium and large.
   • Ignore diagonal movements: This can help prevent accidental skipping to a different line of text.
   • Move with cursor while typing: Move the Magnifier window as you type. Not supported in all apps.
8. Once magnification has been activated from the shortcut, the magnifier window will appear on the screen.
9. The magnifier window has three different buttons at the top (from left to right):
   • Resize: Change the size of the magnifier window.
   • Lock: Keeps the magnifier window in place.
   • Exit: Close the magnifier window.

5.2. Navigating Magnifier Window

To navigate your device while the Magnifier window is activated:

• Use two fingers to move the Magnifier window around the screen.
• Spread two fingers apart to zoom in or bring the two fingers closer together to zoom out.

6. Magnification

Helps users with low or limited vision to have a better view of the screen.

Note: This is not to be confused with the Magnifier window feature above. Magnification zooms in on the screen whereas Magnifier Window opens a magnifier that you can use to zoom in on a specific area of the screen.

6.1. Enabling Magnification

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Visibility enhancements menu.
4. From the Visibility enhancements menu, select Magnification.
5. To add a shortcut to the screen, select Magnification shortcut.
6. Read the pop-up message instructions and tap Got it.

     

6.2. Navigating Magnification 

To zoom, use the Magnification shortcut, then tap anywhere on the screen. If you’ve set magnification as the result of a triple tap, you can also zoom by triple tapping.

Once you’ve zoomed, you can swipe with 2 or more fingers to scroll and pinch to adjust the zoom level.

To stop zooming, use the Magnification shortcut again or triple tap again.

You can also zoom temporarily by using the Magnification shortcut and tapping and holding anywhere on the screen or triple tapping and holding. Lift your finger to zoom out again.

7. Display Settings

Samsung devices have a range of display settings that make it easier to view items on your device and reduce fatigue and strain on the eyes.

7.1. Accessing Display Settings

From the Settings menu, select Display.

7.2. Dark Mode

Dark mode is a feature that limits the light emitted by phones. In addition to reducing battery life, it also helps with readability by applying a dark background to all apps and screens. This feature may be of assistance especially for the visually impaired.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, choose between light mode or dark mode.

To set up a schedule to automatically enable and disable dark mode:

1. Select Dark mode settings.
2. Tap on Turn on as scheduled and choose between Sunset to sunrise or set a custom schedule.

7.3. Brightness

Samsung devices can detect the levels of brightness in your surroundings and automatically configure the screen’s brightness to suit your environment.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, tap on Adaptive brightness to enable.
4. Alternatively, use the brightness slider to adjust brightness settings.

7.4. Motion Smoothness

Adjust your screen refresh rate.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, select Motion smoothness.
4. Choose between Standard or High refresh rate.
5. Select Apply to confirm change.

7.5. Eye Comfort Shield

Keeps your eyes comfortable by limiting blue light and using warmer colours. Using at night can make it easier to fall asleep.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, Select Eye comfort shield.
4. Choose either Adaptive to automatically adjust screen colours or select Custom and use the Colour temperature slider bar to set a comfort level.

7.6. Screen Mode

Choose your colour preference displayed on the screen and customize it to your liking.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, select Screen mode.
4. Choose between Vivid or Natural.
5. Customise the white balance by sliding the cursor along the White Balance slider bar.
6. Tap on Advanced settings for more customisation options.

7.7. Font size and style

Customise the font size and style of text on your device.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, select Font size and style.
4. Select Font style to change the style of the font.
5. Tap on the Bold font toggle to thicken the letters of the text.
6. Customise the font size by sliding the cursor along the Font size slider bar.
7. The preview at the top of the screen shows what the font will look like.

7.8. Screen Zoom

Make items such as applications, messages and buttons on your screen appear smaller or larger.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, select Screen zoom.
4. Use the slider bar at the bottom to adjust the default zoom setting.
5. The preview at the top of the screen shows what the zoom settings will look like.

7.9. Screen Resolution

Choose between three different screen resolutions which affect visuals and battery use.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, select Screen resolution.
4. Choose your preferred resolution setting from the options below.
5. Select Apply to confirm change.

7.10. Full Screen Apps

‘Full screen apps’ stretches the selected apps to use the device’s full screen (if it doesn’t automatically do so).

Note: Some apps may not work in full screen mode even if it is enabled.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, select Full screen apps.
4. Tap on the toggle for applications you want full screen enabled.

7.11. Easy Mode

Provides a simple home screen layout with bigger on-screen items, a longer touch-and-hold delay and a high contrast keyboard to increase readability (customisations already made to the home screen will be discarded).

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Display menu.
3. From the Display menu, select Easy mode.
4. Tap on toggle Easy mode to enable the feature.
5. Once Easy mode has been enabled, you can change the following settings:
   • Touch and hold delay: Set how long it takes for a continuous touch to be recognised as a touch and hold. This doesn’t affect the keyboard
   • High contrast keyboard: Choose between different keyboard colour contrasts.

     

Back to the top

Hearing-Related

1. Hearing Aid Support

Optimize device for use with hearing aids or use Bluetooth to pair with hearing aids.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, select Hearing aid support.
5. Tap on the Hearing aid compatibility toggle.

2. Amplify Ambient Sound

This feature amplifies sounds around you to assist with hearing distant sounds.

Note: This feature requires audio devices such as headphones, earphones or hearing aids to work.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, select Amplify ambient sound.
5. Tap on the toggle Amplify ambient sound shortcut.
6. You can now tap on the Accessibility button shortcut to use this feature.

3. Adapt Sound

Adjusts the sound frequency to suit the user based on their age and sensitivity to noise frequency.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, select Adapt sound.
5. Select age and frequency preference from the options below.
6. The Adapt Sound for option allow you to choose what type of sounds to adapt for. Choose between Media and calls, Only Media or Only calls.
7. You can also test your hearing with the ‘Test my hearing’ button at the bottom of the screen.

4. Left/Right Sound Balance

Adjust the balance of noise output through headphones based on your hearing. For example, if the user’s left ear can hear more than the right, this feature allows the user to shift the balance of the audio so the right ear can receive more decibels than the left.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, adjust the sound balance by sliding the cursor along the Left/right sound balance slider bar.
5. From the menu above, you can also enable or disable toggles for the following settings:
   • Mono Audio: Play the same sound out of both speakers.
   • Mute all sounds: Turn off all sounds on your phone including calls, alerts and media.

5. Live Transcribe

Live Transcribe shows speech as text on your screen so that you can engage in conversation around you.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, select Live Transcribe.
5. Tap Open Live Transcribe.
   Note: If Live Transcribe is not already installed on your device, your device may prompt you to download it from the Google Play Store.
6. Once the app is opened, speech around you will now be converted into text on the screen.

   

6. Live caption

Live Caption detects speech on your device and automatically generates captions.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, select Live caption.
5. Tap on Use Live Caption toggle to use this feature.
6. From the menu above, you can also change the following settings:
   • Hide profanity: Replaces profanity with an asterisk symbol.
   • Show sound labels: Include sounds like laughter, applause and music.
   • Live Caption in volume control: Adjust live caption volume using the volume keys.

7. Google subtitles (CC)

A feature that allows you to choose between Samsung or Google Subtitles to appear on your screen when playing videos with embedded subtitles.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, select Google subtitles (CC).
5. Tap on Show captions to enable this feature.
6. From the menu above, you can also change the following settings:
   • Caption size and style: Change text size and caption style of subtitles.
   • More options: Change the language of the subtitles.

8. Sound Detectors

A feature that allows you to receive alerts when a baby is crying or when a doorbell rings.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Hearing enhancements menu.
4. From the Hearing enhancements menu, select Sound detectors.
5. From the menu below, you can add a shortcut for baby crying sounds and the doorbell detector. Tap on any of the toggles to proceed.
6. Read the pop-up message instructions and tap Continue.
7. Another pop-up message will appear, tap OK to continue.

   

Back to the top

General and Mobility-Related

1. Universal Switch

For people who have difficulty touching the screen, the Universal switch feature lets you select items and take actions with switches instead of touches.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Interaction and Dexterity menu.
4. From the Interaction and Dexterity menu, select Universal switch.
5. Tap on the On/Off toggle to enable Universal switch.
   Note: If you are currently using a lock screen pattern type that is not compatible with Universal switch, a message will pop up asking you to change to a different lock type first.
   Note: If it is your first time opening Universal switch, the Universal switch help will appear to take you through the tutorial.
6. Read the pop-up message instructions and tap Add switch.
7. Choose between either adding an accessory or using the camera to control your phone.
8. From the Universal switch menu, you can also change the following settings:
   • Tutorial: Allows you to view the tutorial again.
   • Quick setup and presets: Decide whether switches will be used for just one action each, or whether switches can function differently depending on whether you press or press and hold.
   • Universal switch shortcut: Allows the universal switch to have full control of your phone.
   • Settings: Change various settings related to the universal switch.
   • Add switch: Either connect an accessory to use as a switch or use the front camera to detect movements.

2. Assistant Menu

The assistant menu is a feature that shows a menu of easy-to-reach buttons that let you replace hard keys, gestures, and other common interactions.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Interaction and Dexterity menu.
4. From the Onteraction and dexterity menu, select Assistant menu.
5. Once this feature is enabled, a circle menu with 4 squares will appear. The menu can be moved anywhere around the screen by dragging with one finger.
6. Tap on the Assistant menu to expand the menu and view shortcuts.
7. From the Assistant menu menu, you can also change the following settings:
   • Select Assistant menu items: Choose which items to hide or show.
   • Select apps to show contextual menus with: When you use a selected app, the Assistant menu will show contextual options specific to that app.
   • Replace swipe with single tap: Respond to alarms, alerts, and incoming calls by tapping instead of swiping.
   • Transparency: Sets the transparency of the Assistant menu.
   • Show as edge icon: Moves the Assistant menu to the edge of the phone.
   • Assistant menu size: Choose between small, medium and large.

3. Interactions

3.1. Answering and ending calls

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Interaction and Dexterity menu.
4. From the Interaction and dexterity menu, select Answering and ending calls.
5. From the Answering and ending calls menu, you can also change the following settings:
   • Read caller name aloud: Choose between having the caller name read aloud with Bluetooth or headset only or to always have caller name read aloud.
   • Answer Automatically: Answer incoming calls automatically after a headset or Bluetooth device is connected. You can change the time it takes to automatically answer calls to either 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds or set a custom time.
   • Press Volume up to answer: Allows you to have the Volume up button set to answer an incoming call.
   • Press Side key to end calls: Allows you to have the Side key set to end a call.

3.2. Interaction Control

Interaction control keeps the focus on a single app by blocking the Back, Home, and Recents buttons as well as incoming calls and notifications.

1. Tap on the Settings application.
2. Select the Accessibility menu.
3. Select the Interaction and Dexterity menu.
4. From the Interaction and dexterity menu, select Interaction control.
5. Tap on the toggle Interaction control shortcut.
   Note: A prompt will appear asking you to turn off Mute with gestures, Palm swipe to capture and Alert when phone picked up before the feature can be enabled.
6. Tap Turn off to proceed.
7. Tap on Interaction control shortcut to choose between Press Side and Volume up keys or Press and hold Volume up and down keys for 3 seconds.
8. Use the shortcut key selected when using an app to block interaction for either specific areas of the screen or block the whole screen.
9. Select Options on the top right-hand side of the screen for more settings.

3.3. Touch Settings

• Touch and hold delay: Sets how long it takes for a continuous touch to be recognised as a touch and hold. This doesn’t affect keyboard.
• Tap duration: Sets how long an interaction needs to be held to be recognised as a tap.
• Ignore repeated touches: Set a time within which to ignore repeated touches.

3.4. Mouse and Physical Keyboard

• Auto click after pointer stops: When you stop moving the mouse pointer, click automatically after the delay you set.
• Sticky keys: When you press a modifier key like Shit, Ctrl, or Alt, it will stay pressed so you can enter keyboard shortcuts one key at a time.
• Slow keys: Type by touching and holding for a set time to avoid accidental key presses.
• Bounce keys: Prevent accidental key presses by setting a delay before a second tap on the same key is accepted.

Back to the top

Shortcuts

The following finger gestures can be used when TalkBack is enabled on your Samsung device.

One Finger Gestures

• Swipe Up: Move your navigation focus backwards or adjust reading control up
• Swipe Down: Move navigation focus forwards or adjust reading control down
• Swipe Left: Previous Item
• Swipe Right: Next Item

One Finger Back and Forth

• Swipe Up then down: Previous reading control
• Swipe down then up: Next reading control
• Swipe left then right: Scroll back
• Swipe right then left: Scroll forwards

One Finger Angled Gestures

• Swipe up then left: Return to the home screen
• Swipe up then right: Open TalkBack menu
• Swipe down then left: Back
• Swipe down then right: Open TalkBack menu
• Swipe left then up: Screen overview, this shows all the different apps you have open
• Swipe left then down: Search in the current screen
• Swipe right then up: Start a voice command
• Swipe right then down: Display/Read device notifications

Two Fingers

• Tap with 2 fingers: Pause or resume speech
• Double tap with 2 fingers: Play/Pause media (videos, music, etc.)
• Double tap and hold with 2 fingers: Start or End a selection mode
• Triple tap and hold with 2 fingers: Turn TalkBack sound on or off
• Triple tap with 2 fingers: Read the next item
• Swipe Up/Down/Left/Right with 2 fingers: Scroll Up/Down/Left/Right

Three Fingers

• Single Tap: Opens the TalkBack menu
• Touch and hold: Open the search screen
• Double tap: Copy images or text to the clipboard
• Double tap and hold: Cut
• Triple tap: Paste
• Triple tap and hold: Select all
• Swipe Up or Swipe Left: Previous reading control
• Swipe Down or Swipe Right: Next reading control

Four Fingers

• Single Tap: Practise gestures
• Double Tap: Open TalkBack tutorial

Back to the top

Additional Resources

For additional information on the accessibility features offered by Android, visit their website using the following link: https://www.android.com/intl/en_au/accessibility/

The Samsung mobile accessibility website may be found here: https://www.samsung.com/au/accessibility/mobile/

Back to the top