iOS 26 System Sounds: Are Blind Users Being Left Out Of Apple's Liquid Glass "Design Overhaul"?

I've turned off all VO sounds; I found the clicks it made when swiping through the screen to be exceptionally annoying, so a new sound scheme doesn't really appeal to me. However, I think that for those who do rely on or just enjoy having the VO sound effects, this is a great idea. I'm having trouble imagining what kind of sounds might represent the new liquid glass interface, but I hope Apple considers this idea for a future update. Maybe if the sounds weren't so... promenent? I would re-enable them.

You know how it is, if they did that, a lot of people would start complaining.

A classic section would solve that, but then you’d have two sets of sounds taking up even more storage.

Basically, there’s no pleasing everyone, lol.

I’m not too picky. New sounds, old sounds, I’d get used to whatever they do eventually.

Hey. Well, at least apple has added a new ringtone "Little Bird."

I honestly agree. will be cool if the sound match the theam. I would imagine it would sounds like some smooth futuristic sound effects. I personally like windows 11's sounds, it is still with the same effect as 8 and 10, but it has this, I don't know how to put it, soft and smoothness to it.

I mean, those sounds would take not even a megabite of storage, so storage wouldn't be a concern here, tbh.

There is zero need to refresh the sounds.

I wouldn’t be happy with sounds reflecting the new system. The current ones convey exactly the sense of stability that makes it possible to operate the iOS system blindly. (translated from Hungarian with AI)

Instead of focussing on that, we need to focus on Apple making sure VO works well. Some of the apple apps VO does not read well and sometimes nothing happens, just get a description of whatever image apple is using on the buttons. Like the old saying goes, sometimes I feel like a nuts sometimes I do not.

I don't know but I think we really need to make sure that VO works well instead of adding new and shiny features. I'm all for new sounds but I mean, liquid glass is only, just a visual thing. Ah how I miss the days when I use to be able to jailbreak my phone and customize VO sounds.

I would like the ability to add my own sounds as notification sounds into apps such as Whatsapp. additionally, customizing Voiceover sounds to my own liking would be very very cool. But alas I don't think any of what I talked about will be possible.

Hi,

My name is Brian, and I approve of everything Jonathan Candler stated above.

Thank you, that is all.

I'm Jonathan Candler and I approve this message. Lol. Sorry, couldn't resist!

Doesn't mean I disagree with other opinions, but similar to how sighted people get to make their phones UI look as per their choice, our UI is sound itself, so we should be allowed some freedom and customization in terms of how our device sounds and vibrates for specific actions with Voiceover. Just beautiful voices aren't enough.
Given that minimum storage is 128 gigs these days, and, any of those fancy HD/live wallpapers are likely to consume a significant amount of memory, I don't see why storage should be an argument for against including more sounds or sound themes. We don't complain when Apple provides new wallpapers or ringtones. Do we bother about even deleting them when we are not using them? Further, those glass UI effects themselves are likely to consume more system resources over any kind of additional auditory or haptic feedback.
If it can please eyeballs, it can bloody well please my ears as well.

VoiceOver sounds should be refreshed. ferther more, they should be lots of sound themes, similar to how there are new wallpapers with inicial releases and for special events like Pride. on global accessibility awareness day, there should be knew sounds every year. I was an Android user back in the versions 4.4-7.1.1 days, and one thing Google did with 5.0. they hyped the new design, but unlike liquid glass being visual, Google made the redesign impact TalkBack as well. there was even dialog with users and TalkBack sounds got an overhall. so why can't apple update sounds, when the community, at least most, waht new sounds, like Google did for Android, but further than they went> Microsoft for every version of Windows, refreshed sounds from vista to 11. they did not have a clasic section, like the current ringtone implamentation, but rather, themes that could be downloaded and changed whenever wanted. so, even though iOS is the topic in this thread, and this section of the forum, I'm provided examples of what other companies have done. back in the Tiger days, Apple were the first company to make a screen reader with sounds. people didn't like them. then leopard, came with a major VoiceOver update, bringing the Alex voice, lots of enhancements. then snow leopard bbrought even more improvements,, and new sounds. so if Apple did it in 2005-2009, why can't they do it again, every year, and provide sound packs in the app store, akin to what Microsoft does for Windows?

Remember in the iOS 7/iOS 10 days? The lock sound was different than what it is now, the keyboard clicks were different as well. So yes, they have done it before. Whether they'll do it for this time, remains to be seen, but we’ll have to wait and see.

iOS 6 had sounds, and iOS 7, changed a lot of them. it, to, like liquid glass, was a new design. but not much changed for VoiceOver users in iOS 7, as far as the user interface. languages and diolects, which was a way to have more than one premium voice on the roter. then iOS 18 changed it with the 'voices roter. so if enough of us file feeedback, apple might listen

People are used to the current sounds and what they signify. Why change the sounds for no reason that would improve the user experience or give better feedback? I'd rather see development time be spent on fixing existing issues and coming up with new accessibility tools that will improve the experience and usefulness of our devices.

There is a limit to the development resources and I'd rather see them be put to the most productive and useful tasks.

--Pete

I've reported so many bugs to Apple myself and didn't even bother to report several others (once more), most of which I had reported earlier before Apple started taking my feedback seriously, respond to my reports and fix the bugs. I am therefore totally aware of the fact that giving more priority to functionality and the bugs that impact daily use is more appropriate and necessary compared to adding new sounds/sound themes. having said that, I submitted my very own sounds to Apple as well and would love to hear them on my very own devices while using VoiceOver. I also strictly disapprove of curt and dismissive comments like the ones from @Dennis Long. Stick to the new sounds or disable them and even haptic feedback altogether. I don't care what you do but you should not care what others prefer or request, and stop trying to impose your own preferences on us. Something useless to you may be highly beneficial and needed for someone else, or vice versa. A whole thread where I posted my suggestion on single-tap navigation was removed due to your arrogant and nonsensical response and attitude. I didn't report that to Apple either, partly because I couldn't discuss how it could best be implemented in detail with those interested.

Now you know how a hotel owner in NY city probably feels about bugs. Agree with you. People sometimes do not have respect and want to push their own agenda.

Funny, You said Dennis was “imposing” for saying “there’s zero need to refresh the sounds.” But that’s clearly just him stating his opinion — nothing about that forces anyone else to agree or change what they like.

Meanwhile, you wrote “you should not care what others prefer or request.” That’s not only contradictory, it’s hypocritical. You’re literally telling people what they should and shouldn’t care about, which is the very thing you accused Dennis of doing.

So no, Dennis wasn’t imposing anything. He gave his view. You’re the one turning it into a “my way or the highway” situation.
As for the refreshing of the sounds, it partially makes sense. I mean, the AirPods and the Apple Watch have a new charging sound and if we're talking about continuity; that should apply as well to ios and mac, at least in theory, and that's one example but, we'll see what happens. I myself don't mind if the sounds get updated. If they do or don't, it’s no big deal. I mean sure it would be nice if they got an update but if they don't? No big deal, either.

I should've said something like "You don't have to care..." but I just tried to combine two verbs (care and stop) within one clause and that's what I got so what I actually meant there was that he didn't have to care what we preferred or that he shouldn't interfere with others' preferences if I retain the word "should" instead of replacing it with "have to". You know, not having to do something doesn't necessarily imply that one shouldn't do it. I could edit the previous post but then it wouldn't convey my intent and would probably be construed as an attempt to destroy the evidence that caused you to respond to me in such a manner so I will do what I told Dennis earlier and remain honest as I request Dennis in the title of my previous post. Both the previous comment that caused you to accuse me of dictating my own opinions or preferences and this very comment shall remain for everyone to make their own judgment.

Fair enough if you meant “don’t have to care,” but you can see why it came off the way it did. You accused Dennis of imposing when all he did was share an opinion, and then your wording told people what they should or shouldn’t care about. That’s why it read as hypocritical. Glad you clarified, but the original point still stands: opinions aren’t impositions.

I did read his comment along with the title but, that's... not the, vibe I got. I mean yeah its quite direct but, I wouldn't say it was the way your describing it; at least that's not how its coming across to me, but then again, I also tend to be really, really blunt and direct so maybe that's why.

You can go to Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver, Audio, VoiceOver Sounds and Haptics, and set up VO sounds to be quieter than the VO voices. You can also turn individual sound effects on or off as well as their individual haptics. For example, I have all of my VO sounds set at 50% of their normal volume. Just a personal preference.
Obviously, it's not the most ideal fix, but it's something. 🙂

Edited to fix typos.

I tend to rely on haptics. You can feel them while holding the device, regardless of how noisy the environment. Still, lowering the volume of all the sounds makes the already quiet sounds even quieter while bringing the loud ones to an acceptable level.

Perhaps the haptics, rather than the system sounds, should be the Liquid Glass equivalent for blind users. Personally, the shortage of gestures that can be assigned to actions, forcing me to hunt through the rotor, is my biggest gripe.

Hi all,

While we love vibrant discussion and encourage everyone to freely share their opinions, I do want to take a moment to gently remind everyone of our Forum Guidelines surrounding respect for others:

Please be polite. The AppleVis forum is designed to build a positive, thriving community. Please give the same consideration and tolerance to others that you would like to receive from them. It is perfectly okay to have a differing viewpoint from someone else; please remember, though, to express your views in a respectful manner. Posts that are deliberately insulting to other members of the AppleVis community will be edited and/or removed.

While most posts in this discussion have expressed differing opinions in a respectful way, I want to encourage everyone to please take a step back and, as one wise member of our community once put it to me, "agree to disagree but disagree to part."

Yes, what your said is absolutely right. Apple need to concentrate on VoiceOver sound also. With the liquid glass effect normal people are happy that but what about Blind people? Some people are told so much of stories taking for sounds scheme that but please think yourself how much of storage will take? If new sound will come, it will take just megabytes only not for gigabytes so why are you tension? Please support and give feedback for add new sound themes in VoiceOver

Support everyone who thinks that they should be adding sounds schemes or maybe we should be able to customize voiceover sounds. For those who think that it is needed to be focusing more on VoiceOver books, yes, but why can’t they do that also? That’s what gives me the impression that some people hate sounds in general. Sounds important because they help blind people, especially air cons. Yes, they might get annoying, But at least we have something to remind ourselves that this is our Apple device and we know how to use it. A third-party screen reader called commentary screen, reader on android allows you to customize everything to do with the screen reader, including gesture schemes. If Apple allows us to download a file that imports sound themes, a bit like macOS 26 where you can Send accessible things, such as VoiceOver settings to another Mac, this applies to iOS I think as well, that means that we have our settings on another device that is not linked to our Apple account. Honestly, though, Apple should be doing this. I’m going to be sending a report to them on feedback assistant on my iPhone, because why not. It means that everyone can be getting their sounds schemes. Coming to my screen reader is so more advanced than talk back, and that’s your opinion. By the way, I feel like the Apple should be allowed to make VoiceOver open source. Saying that, Apple basically never makes anything open source. Apart from Swift, which is an exception because it is a programming language designed for use on any system. However, if they make accessibility their normal standard or make an operating system for accessibility in mind, then I would sign up immediately. note, I mean bugs and I also mean ear cons. Sorry about the misspellings.

I see both sides of this, and I understand where both are coming from. I think those who want new sounds and those that don't both have great points.

As for me, I would love the option of new sounds, as I'll never say no to more customization. I don't really like most of the sounds we have at the moment. To me, they're loud and annoying, so I have most of them disabled. I would prefer a sound theme that was more modern and less harsh, with gentle whooshes and soft chimes that give a kind of futuristic feel to the screenreader.

However, the keyword here is option of different sounds. Since I know there are people out there that like the sounds just as they are, and would be upset if they were removed. So, like the classic ringtones, the old VO sounds should still be available for those who prefer them if they were to add new ones. Maybe even have the option to customize them all indivijually since the option to turn on and off each sound is already there.

We make fun of android and say that iOS more safe and better, maybe so, but regarding choices, android provide more. Their system are more flexible and able to change. Apple does it after years. For example, sounds for notifications on iPhone and watch, also ability to change tone on watch when getting a call.

I shouldn't say I'm totally against them. I want the priority on adding new features and fixing bugs. You have to remember things have to be given a priority in any software development. I just don't thing new sounds should be near the top. If it gets done awesome. If not awesome as well. Another possible solution is to make a suggestion to allow the user to import their own sounds for Voiceover.

I am not too sure whether will Apple even consider such a feedback in the first place.
But the thought of iOS having liquid glass sounds does not really make sense so you mean to say all the keyboard clicking sound or even the lock sound will have a glass sound to it?
Seem a bit strange to me

The new ringtone Little Bird and the new variants of Reflection will all be introduced in iOS 26.0, accompanying the so-called liquid glass design. Do they sound like glass breaking or anything? What about the "classic" ringtone Glass, one of the oldest SMS/notification tones, which dates back to even before the iOS 7 update that came with a whole set of new ringtones? Apple should've included that SMS tone in iOS 26.0 if it's supposed to relate to the renewed "liquid glass" design as you claim. Moreover, the new visual design named "liquid glass" doesn't obviously suggest anything like a new screen made of some extraordinary liquid glass-like material either, so even calling the new visual design itself "liquid glass" shouldn't be taken literally—let alone the broader changes or additions that accompany it, like the new ringtones mentioned above, or new VoiceOver sounds. I've been totally blind from birth so I don't know what the new design looks like but it's still quite easy for me to assume that it should refer to an allegedly more seamless experience with smoother transitions and more dynamic controls with more screen space. Now what do you get if you adapt that to the sounds? Definitely not anything like liquid glass in the literal sense! All we want is less obtrusive, softer, futuristic sounds, which is definitely no less acceptable than the new visual design or the wallpapers Apple has been adding allegedly to address certain "un(der)represented/disadvantaged communities", among which the visually-impaired may not have been fully and sincerely included in recent years under Cook.

Liquid glass is for those who love nice words that will grab their mind. Is just made up words. People eat it up like peanut butter and jelly.

Completely agree on your argument; unfortunately, engineers and developpers consider Design only as a visual thing... When I think of iOS, Apple seems to introduce system sounds enhancements progressively: The current lock sound came with iOS 10 (2016), volume change sounds were modified one year later and the new notification sound was introduced only in 2023. The system alert sound was not changed since my first iPhone 4S in 2012 (running iOS 5.0)...
Also, what could be really nice since Apple insists on "spacial computing" is rendering the sound in a spacial manner: e.g. when a notification pops up on the top left of the screen, sounds would be played witha focus to your left earpod...

Even Google's Talkback, the 1 from playstore rarely updates it's sounds these days. I would love those sounds to be a bit more snappy. The official version of talkback doesn't provide a user friendly way to change earcons as per my knowledge.
Yes, you can install a different screen-reader, but, I feel we should focus on what the majority uses, which is likely to be default Google Talkback.

Considering the liquid glass interface, perhaps a sound scheme could be developed that utilizes glass and water-related audio cues.

As a matter of fact, I am currently using a Cyberpunk 2077 sound scheme, which was created by someone for the Prudence screen reader, while composing this post.

Furthermore, even Windows Vista featured a glass sound scheme, provided one had purchased the Ultimate Edition, although you can now easily download said sound scheme for free among the interwebs.

And on the topic over VoiceOver sounds, both Jieshuo & Prudence have over 10 sound schemes of some VoiceOver iOS variation that ya can pick from. Why that many of them? I don't know, Apple pride?

Apple pride.
On a Google product.
While using a third-party screen reader.

Methinks the sky is falling ... 🐥

At least from what I've read over in one of the Android threads.
I wonder if there is a potential to cause issues with VoiceOver getting confused by the transparency of this Liquid Glass, like reading stuff behind what you have focus on. It can already be a problem a little like that with buttons being too minuscule when on an actionable image.
Guess we would have heard about it in the Beta 26 threads, though.

Well so far no issues. Using 16 pro max and iOS 26 PB 6. Waiting for the RC to drop.

I think Apple needs to put its focus more towards ensuring that Voice works properly for us versus how many different sounds. We get it. I think seriously of turning off the sound actually. I find them to be really annoying. I never had a screen reader with sounds until I got voiceover and I really didn’t like it at first and I kinda got used to it but like I said, I’m thinking seriously turning them off. Especially the clicks for swiping through the screen. They’re just so sharp. As far as any kind of sound, the Apple should redo I really think it should be the key clicks. They’re barely audible with VoiceOver on. As soon as you turn off VoiceOver, those things are nice and loud. They only click that ever seems loud enough is the clicks for the secure text field when you’re putting in a password or any kind of other secure information. I think the regular key clicks for typing in things such as passcode or anything like that should actually become much more audible than what they are when server is enabled. I am somebody who has to use standard typing And I use voice over and voice control on both of my iPhones. So I think as far as Voice sounds, you might be nice for somebody who really likes to use them and wants to update them but I’m thinking seriously turning mine off. I have an iPhone 15 face model and an iPhone SE third generation. iPhone SE third generation is the one that’s in product red at 256GB and I kept that as my iPad. My iPhone 15 is pink and it is the 512 GB and I just got that recently. That’s my phone. I miss voiceover being able to say screen lock when the sounds were on so I’m actually going to turn off the sound also for that reason because I like to hear actually say the word may not so just making that little silly but it makes. Yes, I know sounds can be turned off individually now, but I’d rather just turn off all of them or leave all of them on. It’s just easier I’m trying to figure out which sound which thing and to figure out which one to turn off so I think I’m gonna get off here and go turn off my voiceover sounds. I can definitely see both sides of the snow. Maybe they can make them in a class section like they did with the ringtone. I’m actually looking forward to the fact that we’re going to have a new ringtone and I can’t wait to hear it.

If I recall correctly, you are rocking an iPhone SE 2022? I'm on that as well, and I find that with the sounds turned off, VoiceOver is just a touch more responsive.
If you can deal with the quietness of it all, you might find you actually like no sounds better.

Hi Brian, my SE 2022 is my iPad now. I just got a new iPhone 15. I actually turned off the sound and I found the complete opposite. I actually found Voice over to be a bit less responsive. I’m not sure why it’s like I wasn’t being able to move my finger as quickly Around the screen, even though there was the taps were still on. I ended up putting the sound back on because it actually made a bit more responsive. So I only tried it with the SE phone. I left all the sound on on my 15. Still great. That was why I kept it. It’s my iPad now so I don’t think I just use it for my music in my calendar in my email and that’s basically it and of course browsing web. I’m actually writing my post on this phone right now. It is using my iPhone 15 as a hotspot to access the Internet. My iPod. This iPhone SE is my iPod now. I don’t know why dictation keeps saying iPad. But here we are. Lol and I have to use dictation to write my commas. Comments.

Maybe it's a combination of settings I have enabled/disabled on my iPhone SE 2022, but when I disable sounds, the phone is much snappier for me when it comes to VoiceOver gestures and responsiveness. Alas, everyone has their devices set up a little differently, I suppose.

Never actually paid attention since my phone is generally on mute — I don’t like to hear it ring. Sure, it would be nice if Apple decided to upgrade the system sounds. Sighted folks already get to customize wallpapers and photos and all that, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t get some customization with the audio too. Personally, I’d prefer if they fixed the bugs in the VoiceOver software first, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with updating the system either. I don't know. Maybe give users the option to import their own sounds that they can customize. Some kind of freedom of choice would be nice. Come on, Apple legit made like, what? Six different versions of the reflection ringtone — pretty sure they can fit in some customizable sounds as well. Doesn’t seem like we’re asking for too much, if you ask me. On another note, I would love for there to be an indication when my phone is charging or not, like, when the device is turned off. There are times when I plug in my charger, only to realize that the phone isn't turning on, and it's because it wasn't plugged in properly, or the charging cable is damaged. Also, if my device is not plugged in, it doesn't need to say whether or not it's charging at the top of the screen.

You can now save an audio file as a ringtone by selecting the appropriate option from the Share sheet. Custom system or VoiceOver sound schemes shouldn't be that difficult to implement. You could import each file one-by-one or as an archive, or create a folder in the Files app and place all the sounds there, and then choose that folder and all the sounds inside would get imported automatically. This is perfectly doable with clear guidelines on how to name each file. Even this step may be unnecessary if you import the files one-by-one, as it will already be clear what audio file you select for each event.

Can this be done with iOS 18, or is this an iOS 26 thing? Also, does the file format have to be specific?