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AssistiveTouch is a setting on the iPad that allows students to navigate the iPad more easily, without using the Home Button.
AssistiveTouch can support students to:
build independence
reduce frustration
easily access learning tools
increase independence
To turn on and customize AssistiveTouch on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Tap "Touch".
Tap "AssistiveTouch".
Tap the circle to toggle on "AssistiveTouch". The AssistiveTouch icon will then appear along the edge of the screen.
The AssistiveTouch icon will now appear along the edge of the screen. Tap the icon to show the AssistiveTouch Top Level menu. Then tap anywhere on the screen to minimize the menu.
To change the look of the AssistiveTouch menu, tap "Customize Top Level Menu".
Tap an icon to change what it will do when it is touched.
Choose and tap on an icon, then select an action from the drop down menu.
Use the "-" and "+" to change how many icons will be shown in the AssistiveTouch menu. Up to 8 icons can be shown on the menu.
Tap "Reset" to bring the AssistiveTouch menu back to the original settings.
Tap "Back" to return to the AssistiveTouch settings menu.
To change what will happen when the AssistiveTouch icon is tapped once ("Single-Tap"), tapped twice ("Double-Tap"), or pressed for a period of time (Long Press), choose and tap on a Custom Action, such as "Double-Tap" or "Long Press".
Swipe up or down to scroll through the actions. Then select the action that will be assigned to the gesture. A checkmark will be shown beside the action once it is tapped.
Scroll up to the top to change the length of time the iPad will wait for the action to be performed. For Double-Tap, tap "Double-Tap Timeout". The default setting is 0.3 seconds.
Use the "-" and "+" to change how many seconds the iPad will wait for the action to be performed.
Tap "Double-Tap" to return to the Double-Tap settings menu.
Tap "AssistiveTouch" to return to the AssistiveTouch settings menu.
To create a Custom Action, tap "Create New Gesture".
Perform a gesture on the screen.
Tap "Save".
Type a name for the new Gesture. Then tap "Save".
The new Gesture will be added to the list of Custom Gestures and can be accessed by tapping the AssistiveTouch icon on the screen.
Then then tap "Custom". The new Gesture will now be shown as an option on the menu.
Tap anywhere around the AssistiveTouch menu to exit the menu.
To change how visible the AssistiveTouch icon will be on the screen when it is not being used, tap "Idle Capacity".
Touch and drag the circle along the line to make the AssistiveTouch icon look darker or lighter when it is not being used.
Tap "AssistiveTouch" to return to the AssistiveTouch settings menu.
To use AssistiveTouch on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
With "AssistiveTouch" turned on in the Accessibility Settings, touch and drag the AssistiveTouch icon to another spot around the perimeter of the screen, where it can be easily accessed. Then tap the icon once (Single-Tap) to open the "AssistiveTouch Top Level Menu".
Select and tap an icon to perform the Action or Gesture. (Please note that the icons shown in the image above have not be customized. If the AssistiveTouch Actions and Gestures have been modified, the AssistiveTouch menu may look different than the one in the picture above)
Tap "Notification Center" to bring down the Notification Center.
Tap "Device" to show more options, such as Volume buttons and Rotating the screen. Tap the arrow in the middle to return to the previous menu items.
Tap "Control Center" to show the Control Center on the screen.
Tap "Home" to return to the Home Screen.
Tap "Siri" to use Siri by speaking a command.
Tap "Custom" to access and use more Gestures or custom Gestures. Tap the arrow in the middle to return to the previous menu items.
Tap anywhere outside of the AssistiveTouch menu to hide the menu in the AssistiveTouch icon at the side of the screen.
If Custom Actions were chosen for the "Double-Tap" Action while customizing AssistiveTouch in the Accessibility settings, Double-Tap the AssistiveTouch button to perform the Action. On this iPad, the "Double-Tap" Action is set to take a "Screenshot".
If Custom Actions were chosen for the "Long Press" Action while customizing AssistiveTouch in the Accessibility settings, press the icon for a few seconds until the Action is performed. On this iPad, the "Long Press" Action is set to open the "App Switcher" which allows users to see and switch between all of the apps that are open on the iPad.
"Single-Tap" the AssistiveTouch icon to open the menu once again.
To turn off AssistiveTouch on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Go to "Settings". Then tap "Accessibility".
Tap "Touch".
Tap "AssistiveTouch".
Tap the circle to toggle off "Assistive Touch". The AssistiveTouch icon will disappear from the screen.
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
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With AssistiveTouch, students in the TDSB can:
navigate the iPad without gestures like pinching and swiping. Use the options under the custom tab in the AssistiveTouch menu to perform different gestures.
create custom gestures. Create custom gestures that simplify the steps in performing an action.
create shortcuts. Open settings, learning apps and tools easily by adding them to the AssistiveTouch menu.
use the iPad with one hand. Set up the AssistiveTouch button in a spot that is easy to reach.
control the iPad without using physical buttons. Use the on-screen AssistiveTouch menu to go to the Home page, change the volume, or lock the screen.
Last updated June 14, 2025.
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