[Trainer-Talk] Reprogramming the iOS Rotor Gesture to Something Easier

[Christopher Murphy]

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Christopher Murphy
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-----Original Message-----
From: Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Curtis Chong via Trainer-Talk
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2026 4:18 PM
To: trainer-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Curtis Chong <chong.curtis at gmail.com>
Subject: [Trainer-Talk] Reprogramming the iOS Rotor Gesture to Something Easier


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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