[NABS-L] Fwd: [NFBCS] Reprogramming the iPhone Rotor Gesture

[Gene Kim]

---------- Forwarded message ---------

*From:* NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On Behalf Of *Curtis Chong via
NFBCS
*Sent:* Sunday, October 18, 2026 10:54 AM
*To:* 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
*Cc:* Curtis Chong <chong.curtis at gmail.com>
*Subject:* [NFBCS] Reprogramming the iPhone Rotor Gesture


Reprogramming the Rotor Gesture to Something Easier



By Curtis Chong




Introduction



I have heard from many people that the rotor gesture used on iPhones and
iPads is not easy to use. Yet, a lot of our ability to navigate through
screens and documents on these devices depends on our ability to use the
Rotor gesture. Is there an alternative? Yes!



My intent here is to provide a procedure for you to reprogram the Rotor
gesture so that you can swipe left with two fingers to turn the rotor
counterclockwise and swipe right with two fingers to turn it clockwise.
Using these two gestures has one distinct advantage over the traditional
Rotor gestures. When turning the rotor in the traditional fashion, you
often rotate past the item you want. Using the two-finger swipe gestures,
however, you only move the rotor through one setting with one swipe which
makes rotor movement a lot more precise.




Setting the Two-Finger Swipe Gestures to Spin the Rotor



   1. From the Home Screen, ask Siri to open VoiceOver settings. In my
   experience, this is the fastest way to get into a screen where you can make
   adjustments to VoiceOver.

   2. Using one finger, swipe right until you hear VoiceOver say "Commands
   Button," and perform a single-finger double-tap.

   3. Swipe right with one finger to reach "Touch Gestures" and perform a
   one-finger double-tap.

   4. Find the heading labeled "Swipe: Two Fingers" and swipe right with
   one finger to reach "Two finger swipe left." Perform a one-finger
   double-tap here.

   5. In the search field at the bottom of the screen, type the word
   "rotor". The screen will change to show all of the various rotor options
   you can activate. Swipe right with one finger until you reach, "Previous
   Rotor" and perform a one-finger double-tap. You will be taken back to the
   previous screen with the focus on ""Two finger swipe left," which VoiceOver
   will indicate as "selected."

   6. Swipe right once with one finger to reach "Two finger swipe right"
   and perform a single-finger double-tap.

   7. In the search field at the bottom of the screen, again type the word
   "rotor." The screen will change to show all of the various rotor options
   you can activate. Swipe right with one finger until you reach, "Next Rotor"
   and perform a one-finger double-tap. You will be taken back to the previous
   screen with the focus on ""Two finger swipe right," which VoiceOver will
   indicate as "selected."



At this point, you have now enabled the two-finger swipe left and right
gestures to turn the rotor by one notch. Be aware, however, that the
traditional rotor gestures will still be in effect.




Conclusion



I am sorry that there are so many steps to accomplish a simple gesture
reassignment. In my experience, however, not having to use the traditional
rotor gesture on my iPhone is a huge productivity gain for me. I hope you
find this equally as useful.




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