Updated
Updated · Tom's Guide · Jul 4
Android Hides 3 Accessibility Shortcuts Behind Settings Menu
Updated
Updated · Tom's Guide · Jul 4

Android Hides 3 Accessibility Shortcuts Behind Settings Menu

2 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · Jul 4

Summary

  • Android’s Accessibility Menu can be turned on through Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Menu, adding a floating button for quick access to controls like volume, brightness, screenshots and notifications.
  • The shortcut is aimed at easier one-handed or assisted use, but Tom’s Guide says it can help any user reach core phone functions faster when navigating menus is inconvenient.
  • Users can customize the button’s size, transparency and auto-fade behavior before enabling it, though the menu’s built-in feature list itself cannot be changed.
  • Android also supports 2 alternate ways to open the menu—a two-finger swipe up from the bottom or pressing and holding both volume keys—and all 3 shortcuts can be enabled at once.

Insights

Beyond this hidden button, what other powerful assistive features are already built into your phone?
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With accessibility laws tightening by 2027, how will your smartphone’s core design be forced to change?