Head Tracking - The Hidden Head Mouse

Head Tracking has been available on iPhones and iPads for many years. We continue to be surprised at how underutilized and unknown this powerful tool can be.

Please watch the video first before completing the step by step guide below. Take your time and be careful not to miss a step.

Step by Step Instructions

Open Settings App
Tap Accessibility
Tap Switch Control
Tap Switch Control Mode - 5th line item on menu
Select "Head Tracking"
Go < Back
Locate and Tap Head Tracking - It is lower on the menu
Turn Head Tracking on to display menu
Tap Raise Eyebrows
Select “Tap”
Tap Eye Blink
Select “Home”
Tap Scrunch Nose
Select “Direct Touch” – Located at very bottom of this menu
Tap Tracking Mode
Select "With Face " - There will be a checkmark next to it
Go < Back - upper left of screen
Go to the top of the Switch Control Menu and turn it on (Green switch)

You will see the cursor moving around as you move your head. If you are in dark mode, it will be hard to see. Add that to the list of fixes Apple needs to make.

Switching to light mode will make it much easier.

Now just blink your eyes for about as long as it takes to say "tap" in your head to go to the home page.

Relax, you don't have to overexaggerate facial gestures.

Move the cursor to cover any app. Raise your eyebrows up and down quickly to tap.

Close your eyes to go back home.

Swiping takes more time to understand. Watch the video again and pay attention to my face when I am completing gestures.

Head Tracking - Add an Assistive Menu to add Gestures

The Scanner Menu allows you to make gestures like swipe rather than using Scrunch Nose to swipe. Watch video again to review before beginning.

Step by Step Instructions for using the Assistive Scanner Menu

Change Facial Gestures for Menu use

Open the Settings APP
Tap Accessibility
Tap Switch Control
Tap Head Tracking - Located down lower on the menu
Tap Eye Blink
Select "Scanner Menu"
Tap Scrunch Nose
Select "None"
Go Back

Build your Assistive Scanner Menu

Tap Menu Items
Tap Top Level
Tap Hide All Items
Select "Home " with a Tap
Tap "Scroll"
Tap Add Menu Items - Located near bottom of Top Level Menu
Tap Gestures
Tap Flick
Tap Double Tap
Go Back
Go Back
Tap Show Streamlined First Page to turn off
Go Back to Switch Control Menu
Tap Group Items toggle to turn off

Open the Menu by blinking your eyes. Items on the Menu will be highlighted every one second. When the square is over an item, like Home, you select by Raising your eyebrows to Tap

Watch Video again and pay attention to my face and the menu.

Head Tracking - Adjust Speed the Sensitivity Settings

Instructions for Adjusting the Pointer Speed, Facial Gesture Sensitivity, and Assistive Scanner Menu

After you have practiced using Head Tracking with an Assistive Scanner Menu, you may want to adjust speeds and sensitivity settings to make it easier and faster.

Please watch the video first to get an idea of what is available.

Move the Pointer Faster as Your Head Moves

Open Settings
Tap Accessibility
Tap Switch Control
Locate and Tap Head Tracking
At the bottom of the Head Tracking Menu is POINTER SPEED
The default is 50. Tap the + to raise this number.
100 is the fastest

Adjust the Sensitivity for your Eyebrow Raises and Eye Blinks

Open Settings
Tap Accessibility
Tap Switch Control
Locate and Tap Head Tracking
Tap Raise Eyebrows
At the top of the screen is Sensitivity, Tap Sensitivity
Select Slight, Default, or Exaggerated

Speed Up the Assistive Scanner Menu

Open Settings
Tap Accessibility
Tap Switch Control
Tap Auto Scanning Time
Tap - to reduce how long between items on the menu
Go Back

Head Tracking - Use the Steve's Way Touch Control

Step by Step Instructions for using the Touch Controller

Must watch the video first to understand these instructions!!

Open Settings App
Tap Accessibility
Tap Switch Control
Tap Switches
Tap Bluetooth Devices
Turn the Steve's Way Touch Control on
When "MK321BTStevesWay" appears, Tap it
Tap Pair
Go Back
Tap Add New Switch
Tap External
Tap the LEFT button on the touch control
Tap Save
Tap "Tap"
Tap Add New Switch
Tap External
Tap the MIDDLE button on the touch control
Tap Save
Tap "Scanner Menu"
Tap Add New Switch
Tap External
Tap the RIGHT button on the touch control
Tap Save
Tap "App Switcher"

Now your Head Mouse is set up to tap with left button OR Raise Eyebrows and the middle button will open and close the Menu. Finally, Press the right button to bring up the app switcher.

The buttons and facial gestures can all be changed based on what works best for you. You can even us the enclosed 3-prong cable attached to the end of the touch control to use any medical switch (i.e. foot, muscle, button, etc..) to simulate using your finger.