iOS 26 accessibility & family-safety features: What’s new

💡 Need to know

• Share your setup: Accessibility preferences now sync across devices.
• Smarter safety for kids: iOS 26 auto-blurs explicit images in Messages, AirDrop, and more.
• Less setup stress: Child accounts are faster to configure with new defaults.

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Apple’s iOS® 26 update introduces new accessibility tools and enhanced family safety features, making your iPhone® easier to use and safer for everyone in your household. From improved screen readers to built-in child account protections, Apple’s latest software gives you more ways to customize and control your device.

Asurion Experts help millions of people get the most from their tech—through setup, troubleshooting, and data protection. Here’s what’s new in iOS 26 accessibility and family-safety settings.

Accessibility upgrades in iOS 26

Apple continues to expand its accessibility features, enabling your iPhone to adapt to your unique needs. The latest update introduces new tools that enable you to personalize your experience and share settings across devices.

Share accessibility settings across devices

You can now transfer your accessibility setup—like text size, color filters, or VoiceOver preferences—to another iPhone or iPad. This saves time and ensures consistency across all your devices.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Share Accessibility Settings to get started.

Accessibility information in the App Store

Apple added accessibility “labels” in the App Store that show which features—such as captions, larger text, or VoiceOver support—an app provides. This makes it easier to find apps that meet your accessibility preferences before you download them.

Enhanced VoiceOver and Braille support

VoiceOver navigation has been refined, and iOS 26 supports a wider range of Braille displays. You can also reset or export your VoiceOver settings if you use multiple devices.

Simplified interface with Assistive Access

Assistive Access provides users with a streamlined view, featuring large icons and minimal distractions. It’s ideal for people who prefer a simpler layout or who benefit from fewer on-screen choices.

Turn it on by going to Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access.

Improved visual comfort controls

You can reduce motion effects, increase text contrast, or turn off transparency to make screens easier to read and reduce eye strain.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size or Motion to adjust these options.

If your screen still feels too dim or hard to see, learn how to adjust brightness on your iPhone.

Family safety and parental control updates

Apple’s Screen Time and Family Sharing features in iOS 26 add new options to help families stay safe and connected.

Easier setup for child accounts

You can now create or manage a child account directly in Settings > Family. iOS 26 automatically applies age-appropriate limits, such as app restrictions and content filters, so setup takes just a few minutes.

Age-range sharing for privacy

When apps request a child’s age, you can choose to share an age range (like 9–12 or 13–17) instead of an exact birth date. This helps protect your child’s privacy while still ensuring age-appropriate experiences.

Expanded protections for teens

Apple extended many parental controls to include teens. Communication limits, content filters, and privacy settings now apply to users ages 13–17 by default, even without a formal child account.

Safer messaging and media sharing

Communication Safety now covers Messages, AirDrop, FaceTime®, and shared photo albums. If your child receives or tries to send sensitive images, iOS 26 automatically blurs the content and provides guidance before it’s shown. Parents can also approve or deny new contacts.

To adjust these controls, go to Settings > Screen Time, tap your child’s name, then choose Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Why these updates matter

Apple designed iOS 26 to be more personal and protective. The new accessibility features make the iPhone easier to use for everyone, while family safety updates provide parents with better oversight and peace of mind.

If you haven’t explored these tools yet, open Settings > Accessibility or Settings > Screen Time to see what’s new.

FAQ

How do I share my accessibility settings between devices? Go to Settings > Accessibility > Share Accessibility Settings, choose your other device running iOS 26, and confirm the connection to sync your preferences.

How does Communication Safety work in iOS 26? It detects and blurs sensitive photos before showing them in Messages, AirDrop, or FaceTime. It also provides users with an alert, offering options to report or block the content.

Can teens still get parental protections in iOS 26? Yes. Built-in safety features, such as communication limits and content filters, apply automatically for users aged 13–17.

Where can I manage family safety settings? Open Settings > Screen Time, select your child, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions to customize app limits, filters, and approvals.