Use accessibility shortcuts

Accessibility shortcuts are a quick way to turn on accessibility apps or switch between apps. For each accessibility app, you can choose the shortcut that you want to use.

Important: 

• Some of these steps work only on Android 12 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
• Some of these steps require you to touch the screen.

Accessibility shortcuts are a quick way to turn on accessibility apps or switch between apps. For each accessibility app, you can choose the shortcut that you want to use.

Learn how to set up accessibility shortcuts on your Pixel phone with our step-by-step tutorial.

Contents

• Three-button navigation
• Gesture navigation

• Tap accessibility button
• Tap floating accessibility button
• Change floating accessibility button settings
• Two-finger swipe up from bottom, or, if TalkBack is on, three-finger swipe
• Volume key shortcut

Step 1: Set up accessibility shortcuts

You can set up as many shortcuts as you like for the accessibility apps that you use on your Android device.

1. On your device, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Select the app that you want to use with a shortcut.
4. Select the shortcut setting, like TalkBack shortcut or Magnification shortcut.
5. Choose a shortcut:
   • Tap accessibility button: Tap the Accessibility button on your screen.
   • Hold volume keys: Touch and hold both volume keys.
   • Finger swipe: Two-finger swipe up from bottom, or three-finger swipe if TalkBack is on.
   • Triple tap for magnification: Triple tap the screen.
   • Quick Settings shortcut: Swipe down from the top of your screen. Learn more about the Quick Settings shortcut.
6. Tap Save.

Optional: Change device navigation to buttons or gestures

On many devices, you can choose between 3-button navigation and gesture navigation.

1. On your device, open the Settings app.
2. Select System Gestures System navigation.
3. Choose your new navigation option.

Shortcuts for navigation types

There are different shortcuts available for the 2 navigation types:

• Three-button navigation:
  • Accessibility button  in the navigation bar
  • Floating accessibility button
• Gesture navigation:
  • Floating accessibility button
  • Gesture navigation
    • Two-finger swipe up
    • If Talkback is on, 3-finger swipe up

Tip: If you can't find the accessibility button or use gesture navigation, ask your device manufacturer how to show navigation buttons.

Step 2: Use accessibility shortcuts

After you turn on accessibility shortcuts, you can use them to start your accessibility apps or switch between accessibility apps. Read the tips below for each shortcut.

Tap accessibility button

• Start an app: In your navigation bar, tap Accessibility .
• Switch between apps: If you've assigned more than one app to use the accessibility button, touch and hold Accessibility . In the menu, select the new app.

Tap floating accessibility button

• Start an app or switch between apps: Tap the floating accessibility button.
• Move the floating accessibility button: Drag and drop the floating accessibility button.
• Resize the floating accessibility button: Touch and drag the floating accessibility button towards the edge of the screen to make it smaller.

Change floating accessibility button settings

1. On your device, open the Settings app.
2. Select Accessibility  Accessibility button.
   • To choose whether you use the floating button: Under "Location", select Floating over other apps.
   • To change the size of the buttons: Select Size and choose a new size.
   • To set transparency and fade: Use the slider to set transparency when not in use.

Two-finger swipe up from bottom, or, if TalkBack is on, three-finger swipe

• Start an app: From the bottom of the screen, swipe up with two fingers, or with three fingers if TalkBack is on.
• Switch between apps: If you've assigned more than one app to use the accessibility button, swipe up with two fingers and hold, or with three fingers if TalkBack is on, then lift your fingers. In the menu, select the new app.

Volume key shortcut

• Start an app: Press and hold both volume keys until the menu appears and select the app you want to use.
• Switch between apps: Press and hold both volume keys. When the shortcut menu opens, select the app that you want to use.
• Choose which apps start with the volume key shortcut: Press and hold both volume keys. When the shortcut menu opens, select Edit shortcuts. Choose features to use with this shortcut, then tap Done.

Remove accessibility shortcuts

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 14 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

1. On your device, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Select the app that you want to remove the accessibility shortcut.
4. Unselect the accessibility shortcut to turn it off.
5. Tap Save.

Tip: If you have Android 14, you can directly dismiss the floating accessibility button by dragging it to the at the bottom of the screen. If you change your mind, tap Undo in the tooltip that pops up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Developers: Add the accessibility button

Learn how to use the Accessibility button in your accessibility service.

Get more help

For more help with accessibility shortcuts, contact the Google Disability Support team.