VoiceOver equivalent of "swipe left to expose" (e.g. a 'Delete' button)?

By Larry D, 24 July, 2014

Forum
App Development and Programming

I'm developing an iOS application with a list of items that uses the "swipe left to expose a Delete button" design (similar to the Inbox in the Mail app). However, in VoiceOver mode this "swipe left" gesture does a "Move focus to the previous item" by design.

Is there a VoiceOver equivalent to the "swipe left" and "swipe right" gestures on the selected item? Or do I have to add some other accessible method to delete items (e.g. a "trash can" button)?

Thanks in advance for any guidance on this.

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Comments

By mehgcap on Sunday, August 3, 2014 - 20:13

In a list, the VoiceOver rotor should get an item called "actions". While I can't locate anything on how to add actions to this, at the least, your items should get a "delete" option for free if they implement the usual swipe to delete gesture. I haven't delved into iOS apps yet, only the Mac, so I can't really offer more specific help, sorry. Still, go to an item in the list, and try flicking up and down. If that does not work, turn the VO rotor to "actions" and then try flicking up and down. Hopefully someone with more experience can provide a better answer than this one. Let me know if you are not sure how the rotor works.

By Gadget Meistress on Sunday, August 3, 2014 - 20:13

. But, you might see how it's done using voiceover when playing with the mail app. or how to create that action

By Larry D on Sunday, August 3, 2014 - 20:13

It appears to me that the Mail app doesn't support the "swipe to expose" gesture; instead it appear to relies on the "select, then press the trash can button" sequence. (But perhaps I'm just missing some magic gesture here.)

So that is in part what I'm asking. Is it usual (or even possible) to support "swipe to expose" or is it better to add a more straight-forward accessible solution (as Mail appears to do).

By mehgcap on Sunday, August 3, 2014 - 20:13

That's exactly what the rotor does, as of iOS6 (and improved in iOS7). Touch a message to focus on it, then flick up or down with one finger. You will find "delete", "activate item (default action)", and "more…". Double tap to activate the option to which you swiped. Other apps, all list-based, use this mechanism; Lire and Voice Dream Reader come immediately to mind, though there are others as well.

By Larry D on Sunday, August 3, 2014 - 20:13

Thanks again. Our app support goes back to the iPad 1 and iOS 5. But perhaps we can be forgiven if we require iOS 6 for this.

Dear developer, use swipe down gesture to implement actions. Please note that voiceOver router to be in actions to trigger actions like delete archive Etc.

By splyt on Sunday, August 3, 2014 - 20:13

First of all do a test.
Instead of flicking left, double tap amd hold the item untill you hear a little tone. Once you hear it majke the gesture and see if your app intercepts it as usual. The double tap and hold is a gesture that passes the next gesture as it is to the app, so if this works you can release your app and give instructions for voiceover users. Make sure you test this before taking iit as true because things might for some reazon have changed.
Although this helps, the rotor action also should be implemented. For this, take a look at tom-view

It seens that there are no documented or known ways of adding your own actions, but probably you can capture the delete item. If not, talking to voicedreamd evs or someone who has gone through it might help.
If you do discover something though I ask you let us know cinse I will be probablyy needing more info about this in couple of months.
Marlon

By Srikanth Kanuri on Friday, July 3, 2015 - 20:13

Hello, I prefer router action elements.

By peter on Friday, July 3, 2015 - 20:13

In reply to by mehgcap

That is exactly how I delete mail using VoiceOver - Fllick up once and you have a list of options such as "Delete", "Flag", etc.

--Pete