Mobile App Accessibility: Best Practices for iOS and Android

Mobile apps are now the primary interface for everything from banking and shopping to healthcare and education. But for 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, many of these apps remain difficult to use. Despite growing awareness and stronger regulations, most mobile applications still fall short of accessibility standards.

A recent industry report found that the average accessibility score for Android apps is just 56 out of 100. iOS apps fare worse, averaging 48. Only two apps tested scored above 85. The vast majority of mobile experiences are failing users who rely on assistive technologies.

This isn’t just a usability issue. It’s a business risk and a compliance gap. Here are the best practices to ensure your mobile apps are accessible to everyone.

What Mobile Accessibility Testing Should Cover

Effective mobile accessibility testing requires structured planning, platform-specific tools, and real user feedback. A complete testing process should include:

1. Screen reader compatibility

• Use TalkBack on Android and VoiceOver on iOS to verify how content is read aloud

• Confirm that all form fields, buttons, and navigation elements are clearly labeled

• Ensure logical focus order and consistent feedback for user action

2. Touch target sizing

• Apple recommends a minimum of 44x44 pixels for interactive elements

• Android sets the bar at 48x48 pixels

• Small or closely spaced buttons can be unusable for users with motor impairments

3. Color contrast and visual clarity

• WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text

• Test in high-contrast modes and with color filters to simulate different vision conditions

4. Alternative input methods

• Support voice commands, keyboard navigation, and gesture controls

• Include haptic feedback and audio cues for non-visual interaction

5. Real-world user testing

• Include users with a range of disabilities in your QA process

• Observe how they interact with the app and where they encounter friction

Automated tools like Accessibility Scanner (Android) and Accessibility Inspector (iOS) are useful for catching technical issues early, but they don’t catch everything. Manual testing and user feedback are essential to uncover the rest.

Why Most Apps Still Miss the Mark

Even with native accessibility tools built into mobile platforms, many apps fall short. Common issues include:

• Overreliance on default components

  • Native UI elements are accessible by design, but improper implementation can break them

  • Missing labels, incorrect grouping, or poor focus management can render them ineffective

• Accessibility was added too late

  • When accessibility is tacked on at the end of development, it often leads to retrofits instead of an integrated solution

  • This increases cost and complexity while reducing effectiveness

• Lack of real user input

  • Developers and designers may not fully understand how users with disabilities interact with their apps

  • Without diverse testing groups, critical usability issues go unnoticed

• Inconsistent experiences across platforms

  • An app that works well on Android may be difficult to use on iOS, and vice versa

  • Accessibility must be tested and optimized separately for each platform

Building Accessibility Into Your Mobile App Workflow

Accessibility should be part of your mobile development lifecycle from the start. Here’s how to make that happen:

1. Use WCAG 2.1 Level AA as your baseline

   • These guidelines apply to mobile just as they do to the web

   • Focus on perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness

2. Create an accessibility test plan

   • Define which features and user flows will be tested

   • Include login, navigation, form submission, and media playback

3. Use platform-specific tools

   • Android: TalkBack, Accessibility Scanner, Espresso Accessibility Checks

   • iOS: VoiceOver, Accessibility Inspector, XCTest

4. Test with real users

   • Include people with visual, motor, cognitive, and auditory disabilities

   • Gather feedback on usability, not just technical compliance

5. Document your efforts

   • Keep records of test results, fixes, and user feedback

   • This supports legal compliance and continuous improvement

6. Train your team

   • Developers, designers, and QA testers all need to understand accessibility principles

   • Make accessibility a shared responsibility across roles

71% of users with disabilities report they will simply leave a website that is not accessible. The same applies to mobile apps. If users can’t interact with your brand, they’ll abandon it. Making sure your apps are accessible isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s a smart thing to do.

Not sure if your app is accessible? Reach out to our team to explore our mobile app solutions and uncover issues before your users have to!