What is Screen Curtain and How to Use It on iPhone and Apple Watch

Feb. 26, 2021

How to Enable and Use Screen Curtain on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch

Just in case you are already familiar with the basics, you can dive straight to the quick steps to use this Accessibility feature on your iDevice.

As the name itself implies, Screen Curtain is designed to safeguard the privacy of the screen against the prying eyes. It turns off the screen so that no one can see what’s the gesture-based screen reader is up to.

By ensuring there is nothing visible on the screen, Screen Curtain allows you to use your device by just listening to VoiceOver. Times when you are at public places like an airport or bus station, this privacy feature can have a definite role to play.

Once you have enabled VoiceOver on your iOS/iPadOS, you can bring Screen Curtain into action with ease thanks to a quick gesture. Keep in mind that the gesture slightly changes when Zoom is enabled.

When Accessibility -> Zoom is tuned on:Simply tap the screen four times with three fingers to activate Screen Curtain on your iPhone or iPad. You can use the same gesture ( tap the screen four times with three fingers) to disable it.

When Accessibility > Zoom is turned off:Just tap the screen three times with three fingers to disable Screen Curtain on your iOS or iPadOS device. Use the same gesture to turn it off.

Note:

Sadly, watchOS doesn’t offer a quick gesture to enable/disable Screen Curtain onApple Watch.So, you will need to head into the Settings to activate it.

2. Now, tap onAccessibility.

3. Next, tap onVoiceOver.

4. Next up, turn on the switch right next toScreen Curtain.

You can also turn on Screen Curtain using the Watch app on your iPhone.

2. Now, make sure theMy Watch tabis selected and then tap onAccessibility.

3. Next up, tap onVoiceOver.

4. Finally, turn on the toggle right next toScreen Curtain.

That’s it! Now that you know how this privacy feature works, get the most out of it to shield your privacy. Especially when you are at places where you are surrounded by people, make sure to use it to hide what the screen-based reader is doing. Accessibility boasts a wide range of useful features likeMagnifier,color filters, and thenewly-added Back Tap. Which one is your favorite and why? It would be great to have your feedback in the comments below.

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.