Set Up iOS Eye Tracking
iOS Eye Tracking is an Apple setting that lets you control your device using only your eyes. This article covers how to turn it on, what each setting does, and how to set up Dwell Control for selecting items with your gaze.
Before You Begin
Eye Tracking is only available on newer devices. You must have an iPad A16, iPad Mini A17 Pro or 6th generation with iOS26 to use Eye Gaze. We recommend the standard size for best functionality. If you have an older device and would like to upgrade, please submit a warranty request.
- Adjust the Auto-Lock setting in the Settings app, so your screen doesn’t turn off during use.
- Eye Tracking uses the camera on the front of the device. Make sure the camera has a clear view of your face and that the device is on a stable surface.
Turn On Eye Tracking
- Open Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Select Eye Tracking.
- Toggle Eye Tracking ON.
- Have the user complete the 15-point calibration – you’ll need to calibrate each time you turn on Eye Tracking.
- During calibration, use the on-screen guidance window to help adjust the user’s distance, angle, and position for the best tracking. Find more information on calibration below.
- Once calibration is complete, it’s time to set up Dwell Control. Dwell Control is what allows you to activate items on screen using your gaze.
Calibration Tips
- It’s best for the user to calibrate the device themselves.
- Calibration cannot be saved. If the device or Eye Tracking is turned off, the user will need to recalibrate.
- Calibration cannot be reviewed. There’s currently no way to see how accurately the user calibrated or whether any calibration points were missed.
- If you change the position of the iPad or your face, eye-tracking will automatically start the recalibration process.
Turn On Dwell Control
To access the Dwell Control settings, you’ll need to turn on AssistiveTouch.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Accessibility.
- Select Touch.
- Select AssistiveTouch.
- Toggle AssistiveTouch on.
- Customize Top-Level Menu: set one icon to Pause/Resume Dwell so that both the user and the communication partner can resume/pause Eye Tracking.
- Toggle Dwell Control on.
- You can now use Eye Gaze on the device. Adjust your Dwell Control settings as needed. See below for recommended adjustments!
Helpful Dwell Control Settings
Seconds: Refers to the time needed to initiate a dwell action.
Adjust the number of seconds in small increments to find the duration that works best. Use the “+” or “-” to make changes.
Fallback Action: Determines what happens after a dwell action is completed.
- Tap: The user can dwell on one target to activate it, then immediately move their gaze to activate another target.
- Pause Dwell: Once the cell is activated, it immediately pauses the user. The user must then select the AssistiveTouch control to resume access.
- Consider whether the user would benefit from breaks between activations and whether they can independently resume dwell.
Movement Tolerance: Adjusts the distance the cursor can move while dwelling on an item.
Increasing Movement Tolerance can increase the circumference of the gaze so the user doesn’t have to be as accurate.
Hot Corners: Lets you trigger an action when the user holds their gaze in a designated corner of the screen.
Set one of the corners to Toggle Pause/Resume Dwell to give the user a quick way to pause Eye Tracking when they’re listening, thinking, resting, or not intentionally communicating.
Helpful Eye Tracking Settings
There are several Eye Tracking settings you can adjust. Eye-tracking settings can affect users differently, so change one setting at a time and observe how it affects accuracy, speed, effort, and overall access.
Smoothing: Makes the eye gaze pointer respond more seamlessly.
- Increase Smoothing to avoid pointer jumping, filter out minor involuntary eye or head movements, or to stabilize the cursor for ease of access to smaller targets.
- Decrease Smoothing for faster navigation, if the user has no extraneous eye movements, and if they already show efficient use and accuracy.
- Increasing Smoothing may improve stability but can reduce responsiveness. Find the balance that works best for the individual.
Snap to Item: Automatically moves the Eye Tracking point toward the item closest to where the user is looking.
- May help when a more forgiving target-selection method is needed.
- May be challenging when multiple targets are close together, the pointer moves toward an unintended item, or the user finds the movement visually distracting.
- Don’t assume Snap to Item will improve accuracy. Observe whether it improves functional access for the individual.
Zoom on Keyboard Keys: When toggled on, dwelling on the keyboard zooms in on the section you’re looking at.
Dwell again on a key to tap it.
Auto-Hide: Shows the Eye Tracking pointer when you hold your gaze steady for a specified time.
The pointer automatically fades while your eyes are moving.
Show Face Guidance: Turns written calibration prompts on or off at the top of the screen
To help the user adjust their positioning.
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