Apple has developed Eye Tracking, a significant new accessibility feature in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, enabling users to control their iPhone or iPad with their eyes. This feature uses the device’s front-facing camera to track eye movements, allowing you to navigate and perform actions without touching the screen. Here’s how it works and how you can set it up.

Eye tracking is another advanced accessibility technology that observes where you focus your attention on the screen to manipulate items or controls. Since you’re just moving your gaze, there’s also an on-screen pointer accompanying you. You can work with things by dwelling on an item for a short amount of time with your attention.

This feature, which is designed to assist users who have a physical disability, is also on iPhone 12 models and newer. The process is entirely hardware-based, without requiring any additional component, and data is processed internally on the device using machine learning.

Turning On Eye Tracking

 Update Your Device

Update your iPhone or iPad to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 to use Eye Tracking.Then open Settings > General > Software Update and update the operating system to its latest version.

Enable Eye Tracking 

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Eye Tracking, then switch the feature On.
2. Track calibration guide. Look at a dot that moves across the screen as per the prompts. 3. Proper lighting, keep your face in view of the camera, and set up your device on a flat surface about 1.5 feet from your face. 

After calibration, it will draw boxes around objects as you look at them. To interact with an object, you have to hold your gaze until the action is completed.

Change Pointer Behavior

Eye Tracking has some specific settings which can be further customized, including:

Smoothness : The pointer has a tendency to move so smoothly; it may or may not reduce responsiveness; the higher the setting makes the pointer move more smoothened.

 Snap to Item : Automatically allows the pointer to align at the nearest selectable item 

Keyboard Zoom : Magnification of the keys as hover over the key for proper selection.

Auto-Hide and Visibility

Auto-Hide hides the pointer until you look back at the screen. You can adjust how long it takes for it to reappear as well as change pointer size and color in Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control.

Dwell Control

Dwell Control allows users to select items or perform actions using their gaze. They hold their gaze on an item for a specified period before the item is selected or action taken. To access this feature:

1. Turn on Dwell Control in the Eye Tracking settings. 
2. Utilize the AssistiveTouch menu to customize further actions, such as turning switches on and off or accessing specific screen regions.  

Testing Eye Tracking  

To try it out:  

1. Open your Home screen and watch the pointer as it tracks your gaze.
2. Rest your gaze on an app icon to open it.  
3. Use AssistiveTouch to perform actions like returning to the Home screen by focusing on the respective icon.  

Recalibrating Eye Tracking  

If the pointer isn’t accurately following your gaze, recalibrate the feature:  

1. Switch off Eye Tracking in Settings > Accessibility > Eye Tracking, then turn it back on again.
2. Focus your eyes on the dot as it travels across the screen and calibrate.

The Future of Accessibility  

The Eye Tracking feature that Apple is introducing will have great potential in how integration of artificial intelligence with accessibility will work. This technology has enabled users to control their device without touch, making everyone’s life easier, thus giving more independence to persons with disabilities.