Voice-controlled iPhone for a blind 93-year-old user

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Voice-controlled iPhone for a blind 93-year-old user

I am considering purchase of an iPhone for my blind 93 year old mom in law. I need to be able to turn the screen off and on with voice commands. a screen is useless to her. I side buttons to be disabled as she grabs her current phone and lowers volume. I need her to say Siri, Call person in her contacts. Siri disconnect. Siri read text and Siri using voice, type and send text. Siri listen to voice mail. Siri, ask questions from internet.

I need it to be as simple as possible. I can activate the screen through voice and do the software downloads and such. What version of iPhone can do this. I personally have a 15 pro max and believe it can do all of these things. I do not want to pay for the latest and greatest for the limited functions she needs. Her Lively flip phone with Alexa is the worst voice interface on the planet. I do not want to use Lively as I use AT&T.

Thank you

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iPhone for blind

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 06:49 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 17, 2025 07:37 AM in response to Ace Barker

Apple offers a lot of accessibility features, including VoiceOver.

Start here:

Get started with accessibility features on iPhone - Apple Support (IN)

How to contact Apple for help with accessibility features - Apple Support

Use Screen Curtain with VoiceOver for your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

Turn on and practice VoiceOver on iPhone - Apple Support

I don't know how well the accessibility features work with Assistive Access, Apple's simplified access but it's worth looking at. Start here:

Assistive Access User Guide - Apple Support

Set up Assistive Access on iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Sep 17, 2025 07:58 AM in response to Ace Barker

Ace Barker wrote:

What version of iPhone can do this. I personally have a 15 pro max and believe it can do all of these things.

Accessibility features are pretty much the same on all iPhones running a particular version of iOS. So the question would be whether Accessibility features can customize the way the phone works to the degree that you want. That is something you may want to research using the links that IdrisSeabright supplied, and/or by playing with your own iPhone.

If the Accessibility features can do what you want, any iPhone that can run iOS 26 would be as good as any other (*). Even one of the iPhones in Apple's Certified Refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone Deals - Apple .

(*) Unless you wanted Apple Intelligence. That is only available on the 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16- and 17-series, and iPhone Air.

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Answer 3

Sep 17, 2025 08:02 AM in response to Ace Barker

I second Servant of Cats suggestion to look at Apple's Refurbished options. Everything you buy there looks completely new. The only difference you'll notice is the packaging. Everything comes with the same one year warranty as a brand new device. I've bought a number of my computers there.

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