[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "setting%20up%20voiceover%20on%20iphone%20for%20image%20descriptions"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s how to set up VoiceOver on your iPhone so it can describe images automatically and let you add your own image descriptions. These features are built into recent iOS versions and hinge on **VoiceOver Recognition**.\n\n---\n\n## 1. Turn on VoiceOver\n\nVoiceOver is a screen reader that reads aloud what\u2019s on your screen.\n\n- Open **Settings** \u2192 **Accessibility** \u2192 **VoiceOver**, then toggle it **On**. ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/turn-on-and-practice-voiceover-iph3e2e415f/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n- You can also activate VoiceOver quickly via **Control Center**, or ask Siri: \u201cHey Siri, turn VoiceOver on.\u201d ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/turn-on-and-practice-voiceover-iph3e2e415f/ios?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## 2. Enable Image Descriptions (VoiceOver Recognition)\n\nOnce VoiceOver is on, you\u2019ll need to turn on the component that recognizes images and describes them.\n\n1. Go to **Settings** \u2192 **Accessibility** \u2192 **VoiceOver**. ([content-static.olybet.dev](https://content-static.olybet.dev/media/docs/a11y/en/iOS%2018/How%20to%20use%20VoiceOver%20to%20describe%20what%20is%20in%20the%20camera%20viewfinder%20and%20images%20in%20iOS%2018%20on%20your%20iPhone%20or%20iPad.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n2. Tap **VoiceOver Recognition**. ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n3. Toggle **Image Descriptions** to **On**. Your iPhone may need to download a recognition model the first time you turn it on. ([content-static.olybet.dev](https://content-static.olybet.dev/media/docs/a11y/en/iOS%2018/How%20to%20use%20VoiceOver%20to%20describe%20what%20is%20in%20the%20camera%20viewfinder%20and%20images%20in%20iOS%2018%20on%20your%20iPhone%20or%20iPad.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\nYou\u2019ll often have control over:\n- Turning on **Text Recognition** to read any text embedded in images ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n- Choosing whether to get descriptions in all apps or only certain apps ([content-static.olybet.dev](https://content-static.olybet.dev/media/docs/a11y/en/iOS%2018/How%20to%20use%20VoiceOver%20to%20describe%20what%20is%20in%20the%20camera%20viewfinder%20and%20images%20in%20iOS%2018%20on%20your%20iPhone%20or%20iPad.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## 3. Using Image Descriptions in Practice\n\nOnce Image Descriptions are active:\n\n- When you focus on an image in **Photos**, **Safari**, or many other apps, VoiceOver will announce what\u2019s in the image (people, objects, text). ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n- To get more detail, select the image, swipe up to reveal more options, and when you hear **Explore Image Features**, double-tap. You can then move your finger around the image to hear exactly where each item is located. ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## 4. Add Custom Descriptions via Markup (Photos)\n\nIf the automatic descriptions aren\u2019t enough, you can write your own:\n\n- Open the **Photos** app and select a photo.  \n- Double-tap **Edit**, then open **Markup**. ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n- Tap the **Add** (+) button, then choose **Description**.  \n- Type what you want the description to be.  \n- Finish by tapping **Done**. ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n\nCustom descriptions will be read by VoiceOver when you view that photo later in apps or pick photos to share. ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## 5. Helpful Extras\n\n- **Live Recognition**: While VoiceOver is on, triple-tap with four fingers to use Live Recognition. This uses your camera to say what your surroundings look like\u2014something that can help in real time. ([support.apple.com](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-live-descriptions-of-your-surroundings-iph37e6b3844/ios?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Sensitive Content Alerts**: You can choose whether VoiceOver warns you before reading sensitive content in images. ([manuals.plus](https://manuals.plus/apple/use-voiceover-recognition-on-your-iphone-or-ipad-apple-support.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you tell me what iPhone model and iOS version you have, I can guide you step-by-step for your specific setup. Want to do that?"
    }
]