Switch Access

Control your device with switches or the front camera.

Switch Access

App stats

Version: 1.15.0.647194712 (Last updated: 2024-08-21)
Creation date: 2023-01-06
Permissions
Location: approximate location (network-based), precise location (GPS and network-based)
Camera: take pictures and videos
Other:
  • view network connections
  • pair with Bluetooth devices
  • access Bluetooth settings
  • measure app storage space
  • full network access
  • control vibration
  • prevent device from sleeping
  • read Google service configuration

Other platforms

Switch Scores (v0.8)
5.00 (1) 87
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App summary

Control your phone or tablet using switches or the front camera. You can use switches to select items, scroll, enter text, and more.

Switch Access helps you interact with your Android device using one or more switches instead of the touchscreen. Switch Access can be helpful if you can't interact directly with your device.

To get started:
1. Open your device's Settings app.
2. Tap Accessibility > Switch Access.

Set up a switch

Switch Access scans the items on your screen and highlights each item until you make a selection. You can choose from a few kinds of switches:

Physical switches
• USB or Bluetooth switches, like buttons or keyboards
• On-device switches, like volume buttons

Camera switches
• Open your mouth, smile, or raise your eyebrows
• Look left, right, or up

Scan your device

After setting up a switch, you can scan and interact with things on the screen.

• Linear scanning: Move between items one at a time.
• Row-column scanning: Scan one row at a time. After a row is selected, move through items in that list.
• Point scanning: Use moving lines to select a specific horizontal and vertical location, then press "Select".
• Group selection: Assign switches to different color groupings. All items on the screen will be assigned a color. Press the switch corresponding to the color around the item you want. Narrow down the size of the group until you reach your choice.

Use the menus

When an element is selected, you'll see a menu with available interactions, like select, scroll, copy, paste, and more.
There will also be a menu at the top of the screen to help you move around your device. For example, you can open notifications, go to the home screen, change the volume, and more.

Navigate with Camera Switches

You can use Camera Switches to navigate your phone with facial gestures. Browse or select apps on your phone with the use of your phone’s front camera.
You can also customize the sensitivity and duration of each gesture to better fit your needs.

Record shortcuts

You can record touch gestures that can be assigned to a switch or started from a menu. Touch gestures can include pinching, zooming, scrolling, swiping, double tapping, and more. You can then start frequent or complex actions with a single switch, for example, recording a gesture that swipes left twice to turn two pages of an ebook.

Permissions Notice
• Accessibility Service: Because this app is an accessibility service, it can observe your actions, retrieve window content, and observe text that you type.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Google Play Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Accessibility features can be helpful for elderly or differently-abled people.
  • Can provide an alternative way to interact with devices for those who have difficulty using touchscreens.
Cons
  • App is forced onto devices without users' permission or ability to uninstall.
  • Requires intrusive permissions that users feel jeopardize their privacy.
  • Reports of the app causing device crashes and operational issues.
Most mentioned
  • Forced installation and inability to delete or disable the app.
  • Concerns about privacy and data security related to the app's permissions.
  • Frustration with the app not functioning as expected or being ineffective.
User reviews
Accessibility features are great. However when I buy a device and pay for phone and internet services, I should have absolute authority on what "features" are on my device. Along with complete control over access to ANY data either stored or utilized by my device's OS, including but not limited to all apps, files, network and connection permissions and very private data like text and email contents. If Google is making the Android OS more modular then that should extend to all parts of the OS.
by Shaun Dunleavy, 2024-11-22

Why does it need so much access why can't I delete it why is my phone behaving strange since the Android 14 update.... I obviously don't need this as my Google drive is accessible across all my devices so Evan if I loose or break my phone I can use Google to either lock the phone from a different device.... Screencast is separate to this I can't Evan use a USB c to hdmi on this phone so I don't get this "operational app' personally I think Google are been dirty since removing VPN
by rhys (Skankhunt42), 2024-11-20

I don't understand this app at all ... Seems to be filled with mind boggling ways. Is it also underlining (hidden) hacks on of am almost 4 dollar lunchbox (BOO!!!) I'll get bagged N sit shall too! No more ... At all!!!
by StephanieFaith White, 2024-11-17
View all user reviews

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