Apple’s iOS 18 update is now available for models as far back as the iPhone XR and the 2nd and 3rd-gen iPhone SE. While the iOS 18 update packs a plethora of great new features and accessibility options, the eye-tracking feature is grabbing the most eyeballs. It lets users control their phones using just their eyes after a quick setup.
Enable Eye-Tracking on iPhone
Go to General -> About to ensure that you have updated to the iOS 18 version of the operating system in your iPhone. Here is a list of iPhones that will receive the iOS 18 update.
To enable eye-tracking, head on over to Settings, and select Accessibility. After that, you will see the Eye Tracking option available to select.
Once in the Eye Tracking settings, simply toggle the Eye Tracking option On. The calibration process will automatically begin as the front-facing camera tracks your eye movements. Keep the iPhone about a foot away from your face, and on a stable surface.
Related: Learn how to improve your iOS 18 Photos App experience significantly.
Calibrate Eye-Tracking on iPhone
Even though the calibration process for eye-tracking on the iPhone only takes about a minute, it does require a bit of focus. Your eyes will have to follow several colored dots all over the screen thirteen times before the process is over.
After that, all that remains is to begin using your iPhone with just your eyes. Not only would you be able to highlight any selectable option on the screen, but keeping your gaze fixed will click where you want.
You can also decrease or increase the time you need to keep looking at an option to select it. For that, head on over to your iPhone’s AssistiveTouch settings.
Enter your Accessibility settings, go to Touch, and then select AssistiveTouch. Scroll over down to Dwell Control and select how long you need to dwell on an option before being selected.
Living with the iPhone’s Eye-Tracking
Once eye-tracking is enabled, an AssistiveTouch panel is constantly present on the side of the screen. Dwelling on this screen will allow you to use other functions such as scrolling, using Siri, or accessing the Notification Center.
Using this panel, users can lock their screens, access their control center, or even wake Siri. Admittedly, it isn’t the easiest to use, but for users with a limb difference, eye-tracking could make a world of difference. This is, of course, because eye-tracking can and does work simultaneously with touch functionality.
The new iOS 18 update certainly has some great features such as distraction control, but eye-tracking is definitely the standout. However, it certainly is in rudimentary stages. In fact, it is not going to give you a completely hands-free, smooth iPhone experience. Nevertheless, it is still a cool gimmick to whip out at parties, even if you do not have the latest iPhone 16 lineup.
Image credit: All screenshots and images by Samarveer Singh.
