Flashlight and sending photos in messages in Assistive Access

Hi charmingbroc,

welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community!

Re: Flashlight and sending photos in messages in Assistive Access

Am no expert in this area so may not be helpful, yet your post deserves some response.

At least we get your discussion underway, providing opportunity for more expert replies.

Seems Assistive Access is purposefully kept basic and simple.

See Understand certain differences in Assistive Access.

Eg: says:

App permissions

To minimize pop-ups while using iPhone, apps won’t ask for permission to access information such as location, photos, and contacts. Instead, you have the option to set access permissions for apps when you set up Assistive Access.

To review or change an app’s permissions, you must exit Assistive Access and go to

Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access or Settings > Apps > [app name].

____________________________________________________________________________

Re: " ... is there any way to send photo messages (instead of video selfies) in messages within assistive access?"

As far as I know, one may need to exit Assistive Access to send photo messages.

Enter and exit Assistive Access on iPhone - Apple Support

Within Assistive Access sending a video-selfie does seem to be the only "photo" option

Send messages with Assistive Access on iPhone - Apple Support

______________________________

Re: "Any workarounds with this?"

You can add other iOS apps in their original form, (not only apps that are specially designed for Assistive Access, like Calls, Camera, Magnifier, Messages, Music, and Photos): See how to:

Add, remove, and customize apps for Assistive Access on iPhone - Apple Support

Eg: also says:

"Change options for apps in Assistive Access

1. Exit Assistive Access if it’s active.
2. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access, then tap the app’s name.
3. Choose options for the app".

or

You could try asking the experts via Apple's Accessibility Support Website

(NB: You can "Get Support" from the link at the bottom of their website:)

Accessibility Support - Official Apple Support

___________________________________________________________________________

Re: "How can we access flashlight when in assistive access?

No, the flashlight does NOT appear on the homescreen, and the backtap settings also seem to be disabled on assistive access mode".

Seems there are no options to access the flashlight when in assistive access.

The latest info. for iOS 18: Assistive Access User Guide - Apple Support

All the best :-)

brbo wrote:

Hi charmingbroc,

welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community!

Re: Flashlight and sending photos in messages in Assistive Access

Am no expert in this area so may not be helpful, yet your post deserves some response.

At least we get your discussion underway, providing opportunity for more expert replies.

Seems Assistive Access is purposefully kept basic and simple.

See Understand certain differences in Assistive Access.

Eg: says:

App permissions

To minimize pop-ups while using iPhone, apps won’t ask for permission to access information such as location, photos, and contacts. Instead, you have the option to set access permissions for apps when you set up Assistive Access.

To review or change an app’s permissions, you must exit Assistive Access and go to

Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access or Settings > Apps > [app name].

____________________________________________________________________________

Re: " ... is there any way to send photo messages (instead of video selfies) in messages within assistive access?"

As far as I know, one may need to exit Assistive Access to send photo messages.

Enter and exit Assistive Access on iPhone - Apple Support

Within Assistive Access sending a video-selfie does seem to be the only "photo" option

Send messages with Assistive Access on iPhone - Apple Support

______________________________

Re: "Any workarounds with this?"

You can add other iOS apps in their original form, (not only apps that are specially designed for Assistive Access, like Calls, Camera, Magnifier, Messages, Music, and Photos): See how to:

Add, remove, and customize apps for Assistive Access on iPhone - Apple Support

Eg: also says:

"Change options for apps in Assistive Access

Exit Assistive Access1. if it’s active.

Go to Settings

https://help.apple.com/assets/65F884C92F2B498E1B0EF53B/65F884CD2F2B498E1B0EF547/en_US/88b2400e45bcf521514b7252cbb2d959.png1.

> Accessibility > Assistive Access, then tap the app’s name.

2. Choose options for the app".

or

You could try asking the experts via Apple's Accessibility Support Website

(NB: You can "Get Support" from the link at the bottom of their website:)

Accessibility Support - Official Apple Support

___________________________________________________________________________

Re: "How can we access flashlight when in assistive access?

No, the flashlight does NOT appear on the homescreen, and the backtap settings also seem to be disabled on assistive access mode".

Seems there are no options to access the flashlight when in assistive access.

The latest info. for iOS 18: Assistive Access User Guide - Apple Support

All the best :-)

The flashlight and the photos are unfortunate, but I appreciate the accurate info. As charmingbroc said, with assistive access on, you cannot access the control panel, backtap doesn't turn on the flashlight, and there is no flashlight symbol on the lockscreen. Not a deal breaker for me, but it would be a nice add.

Hi chrisfromtivoli; re: Flashlight and sending photos in messages in Assistive Access

If you wish, you can send feedback to reach those who work behind-the-scenes at Apple: To provide feedback about an accessibility feature on an Apple product, you can email the Accessibility team: accessibility@apple.com