I donβt often audit mobile apps, but when I do, I follow a process a bit like this.
Itβs bit trickier to do automated checking of accessibility on native apps, especially if youβre not set up to do iOS or Android development. So, I tend to rely on manual testing. In particular, I focus on screen reader testing since that tends shows the most critical errors most clearly.
What I test
- Is information conveyed using text / icons / shapes in addition to colour?
- Do all elements have high enough contrast?
Check use of colour.
- Does all text resize?
- Is any text truncated?
Test with larger text.
- Are there no errors?
Run an accessibility audit tool or scanner.
- Do elements have appropriate semantics (buttons, links, forms)?
- Do non-text elements (images, video, audio) have text alternatives that convey the content or function?
- Are decorative images hidden?
Test with a screen reader.
- Test with a keyboard.
iOS settings
Settings β Accessibility β Display & Text Size, Color Filters β Greyscale
Settings β Display & Brightness
, testLight
andDark
.Settings β General β Accessibility β Display Accomodations β Invert Colours
Check use of colour.
Settings β Accessibility β Display & Text Size, Larger text
Test with larger text.
- Set up shortcut and captions
- Navigate by swiping right and left
Test with VoiceOver.
- XCode > Open Developer Tool > Accessibility Inspector
- In the top left, change the target to the USB-connected iOS device
- Use the Navigation previous and next buttons
Use XCodeβs Accessibility Inspector.
- Run the Accessibility Inspector Audit Tool.
Android settings
- Set
System β Advanced, Developer options, Simulate colour space
to Monochromacy
. ThenSystem β Accessibility β Colour correction
- Toggle
System β Display β Dark theme
on and off.
Check use of colour.
- Set
Settings β Accessibility β Font size β Largest
Test with larger text.
- Set up shortcut and captions
- Navigate by swiping right and left
Test with TalkBack.
- Android Accessibility Scanner. Run the
Things I might add to later
- Test with a screen magnifier.
- Test with voice control.