I am proposing a few updates to Assistive Access features and settings that may improve the user experience. These updates will support a broader group of users who only require minor-to-medium cognitive assistance.
General
- Add support for renaming applications in settings. The user may not be familiar with "Calls", and it may be easier for them if the application is renamed to "Phone"; other examples include, "Messages" to "Text Messages", "Chrome" to "Google", or "Gmail" to "Email".
- Add a setting to enable a “Flashlight” button in the application menu. Include an auto timeout/close to prevent users from mistakenly draining the battery.
- Add a setting to enable a “Find my watch” button in the application menu.
Notification Badges
- Make the Notification badges (blue "New" badges) clickable. Currently, users can only click the button next to the new badge. Clicking the badge has no effect.
- Update the in-app lists to automatically sort "New" items to the top, specifically in calls and messages. This will make it easier for users to see and respond to new calls, voicemails, and messages when they first enter the Calls and Messages app. After “marked read,” the item defaults back to the default sort/time series.
- Add a setting to enable consolidated notification banners on the home screen for Calls and Messages. Perhaps a series of clickable buttons displayed in the center of the screen that read [1] New missed call, [1] New voicemail, and/or [1] New message and that open to the related list/app. This setting/feature would be in addition to the Open button that would remain the most prominent button on the home screen.
- Add support for text message notification sounds on receipt. Currently, users experience no sound or delayed notification sounds.
Calls
- Add a setting to enable a missed calls list in Calls. Currently, users can only see the "New" badge on a contact/number for a missed call. There is no contextual information about the date/time the call was received/missed.
- Add a setting to enable contextual information about the date/time voicemails were received.
Messages
- Add a setting to enable contextual information displayed on a text message/thread button. Currently, only the contact name or number is displayed. Perhaps mirror non-assistive access by displaying an ellipsis-truncated message and time ago/weekday/date stamp. Some users rely on the preview to navigate the text message list. It can be easy for a user to miss/skip an appointment confirmation text message received from/listed as the number “321-1234”.
If these features are available and supported, can you please provide instructions for setting them up?
Operating on iPhone 12 Pro running iOS 27.0 at the time of this post.
