Apple today announced new accessibility features that will debut later this year in iOS 18 and its other operating systems (although as usual, Apple does not specifically refer to ‘iOS 18’ prematurely).

The headline addition is Eye Tracking, which will allow iPhone and iPad users with physical disabilities to control their devices just by looking at it with their eyes, with a new iOS gaze system somewhat similar to Vision Pro. Other new features include music haptics, Vehicle Motion Cues, Live Captions coming to visionOS, and more …

As is tradition, Apple previews its upcoming accessibility features before the full unveiling of the new operating systems at WWDC in June.

The big new feature this year is Eye Tracking, which uses the front-facing camera to determine what element the user is looking at on screen, allowing them to navigate their device just with their eye gaze, no touch input required. Users can look at a button to highlight it, and hold their gaze for a few seconds to select it.

Music Haptics are designed to help the deaf or hard of hearing enjoy music like everyone else. The iPhone will use its haptic engine to play taps and refined vibrations that synchronize with the music being played audibly.