Use VoiceView or TalkBack

Turn these features on to hear onscreen text for DIRECTV STREAM. It’s a snap to use if you have a visual impairment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How it works

When you turn the accessibility feature on, spoken words let you know what text is onscreen when you:
  • Scroll through carousels or enter a title or information about a program or movie.
  • Tap to open tabs like My Library, Guide, or Discover.
  • Select a program from the guide. You’ll hear the name of the program and when it’s airing.

Availability

You can get accessibility features on:

  • Apple tvOS
  • iOS (iPhone and iPad)
  • Android (phone and tablet)
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Samsung TV (2017 or newer)
  • Roku

They aren’t available for web browsers or Chromecast right now.

Turn accessibility features on or off

Apple tvOS and iOS devices
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select Accessibility and choose VoiceOver.
  3. Turn VoiceOver / Magnifier ON or OFF.
  4. Open the DIRECTV app.
Want to use Siri with Apple TV? Press the Siri button on your Apple remote, then say Turn VoiceOver on or Turn VoiceOver off.


Apple iOS 14 devices using VoiceOver with Direct Touch

Enable Direct Touch for your iOS 14 devices:
  1. Open the DIRECTV app.
  2. On the DIRECTV interface, tap and rotate using your two fingers as if you were turning a dial.
  3. VoiceOver will announce options - rotate until you hear Direct Touch.
  4. Release your fingers from the screen and swipe up or down to enable Direct Touch.
Tip: If you cannot find Direct Touch while turning the rotor, tap anywhere on screen until you hear “Direct Touch” and repeat steps 2 - 4 above.


Android phones or tablets
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Open Accessibility and select Talkback.
  3. Turn the feature ON or OFF.
  4. Open the DIRECTV app.

Amazon FireTV
  1. Use the remote to select Settings.
  2. Select Accessibility, then VoiceView.
  3. Turn VoiceView ON or OFF.
  4. Open the DIRECTV app.
Last updated: August 1, 2023

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