Apple introduced Eye Tracking in iOS 18 as an accessibility feature, allowing you to control your iPhone or iPad with just your eyes. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know in simple steps.
What Is Eye Tracking on iOS?
Eye Tracking lets you use your eyes like a cursor. By looking at parts of the screen, you can move around and select items without touching the screen. It’s designed mainly for accessibility, but anyone can try it.
Devices That Support Eye Tracking
Eye Tracking works on newer iPhones and iPads that support iOS 18 and later. You need a device with Face ID, since it uses the front TrueDepth camera to track your eyes.
- Eye Tracking is available on iPhone models running iOS 18 or later with A17 Pro chip or newer.
- Supported iPhones include iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 series.
- iPads with M1 chip or later also support Eye Tracking on iPadOS 18 and above.
- Macs with Apple Silicon chips can use Eye Tracking when updated to macOS Sequoia or later.
- Older Intel Macs and iPhones before A17 Pro are not compatible with this feature.
How to Enable Eye Tracking in Settings
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Accessibility.
- Tap on Eye Tracking.
- Turn on the toggle switch.
That’s it—Eye Tracking will now be active on your device.
Calibrating Eye Tracking for Accuracy
When you first turn it on, iOS will guide you through a short setup where you look at different points on the screen. This helps the iPhone or iPad understand your eye movement better.
Navigating iPhone or iPad with Eye Tracking
Once it’s on, you can look at icons or options on the screen. A highlight will appear around the item you’re focusing on. To “tap,” simply hold your gaze for a moment until the action happens.
Using Eye Tracking with Apps and Accessibility Features
Eye Tracking works across the system and inside apps. You can open apps, scroll through pages, type messages, and even control accessibility shortcuts.
Tips to Get the Best Results with Eye Tracking
- Use it in a well-lit room so the camera can see your eyes clearly.
- Hold the device at a comfortable angle in front of you.
- Avoid wearing sunglasses or anything that blocks your eyes.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
- Not responding? Restart your iPhone or iPad and try again.
- Too sensitive or slow? Go to Settings > Accessibility > Eye Tracking and adjust the sensitivity.
- Not accurate? Recalibrate by running the setup again.
How to Turn Off Eye Tracking When Not Needed
If you don’t need Eye Tracking anymore, go back to Settings > Accessibility > Eye Tracking and switch it off.
