Mobile App Accessibility Checklist (iOS + Android)
For: iOS/Android developers, mobile designers, QA engineers
Mobile accessibility has its own criteria beyond web WCAG — touch targets, system text-size respect, screen reader gestures, hardware switch control. Apple and Google review apps for accessibility issues; reviews fail for missing labels and inaccessible touch targets. This checklist covers what gets you through review and what makes your app actually usable for screen-reader users.
References: Apple Human Interface Guidelines — Accessibility · Android Accessibility Developer Guide · WCAG 2.2 (extended for mobile)
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Screen Reader (VoiceOver / TalkBack)
Every interactive element has accessibilityLabel describing its function (not its visual)
Decorative images marked accessibilityElementsHidden or contentDescription="@null"
Custom controls expose role + state + value via accessibility traits
Reading order matches visual order (test by swiping right through the screen)
Modal dialogs trap focus, announce on appear, restore on dismiss
Dynamic content changes (toasts, errors) announced via accessibility live region
Touch Targets & Layout
Touch targets ≥44×44 pt (iOS) or ≥48×48 dp (Android)
HIG; Material Design
Adjacent targets have ≥8pt spacing to prevent mis-tap
Layout reflows for text size up to 200% (iOS Dynamic Type, Android font scale)
Landscape orientation supported OR locked-portrait declared
Safe area insets respected (notch, home indicator, gesture bar)
Color & Contrast
Text contrast ≥4.5:1 (≥3:1 for large text)
UI control contrast ≥3:1 against background
High Contrast / Increase Contrast mode tested + works
Color-blind accessibility — info not conveyed by hue alone
Dark mode contrast verified (separate audit from light mode)
Motion, Sound, Haptics
Reduce Motion respected — auto-play animations replaced with static state
Critical info NOT conveyed only by sound (haptic + visual alternatives)
Auto-playing video has pause control accessible to screen reader
Haptic feedback optional, respects system settings
Forms & Input
Every input has label, autocomplete hint, keyboard type appropriate
Form errors announced + linked to specific field
Hardware keyboard (BT) navigates fully without touch
Switch Control / Voice Control test on key flows passes
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