VoiceOver Navigator

Visualize VoiceOver element order on the iOS Simulator with numbered overlays. Navigate elements with keyboard shortcuts and verify reading order without a device.

Testing VoiceOver used to mean grabbing a physical device, enabling VoiceOver, and swiping through your app. VoiceOver Navigator lets you stay in the Simulator: you get a visual overlay of the accessibility element order and keyboard-driven navigation, so you can verify reading order and rotor behavior without leaving your flow.

Introduction to the VoiceOver Overlay

When you open the Voice Over tab in RocketSim’s side window, you can turn on Elements Overlay. Numbered labels appear on each accessibility element in the same order VoiceOver would use on a real device — so you can see at a glance whether your reading order makes sense. The panel lists every element with its role (e.g. Button, Heading, StaticText) and the total count. Use the Rotor dropdown to filter by category (e.g. Headings, Buttons) or leave it on All Elements. Refresh updates the list after the app’s UI changes.

VoiceOver overlay showing numbered elements on the Simulator and the Elements Overlay panel with Rotor and Voice Over Elements list.

This view is read-only: you’re inspecting the tree and the overlay. When you’re ready to step through the experience the way VoiceOver would, use Start Navigating.

Using the VoiceOver Navigator

In navigation mode, the overlay stays on screen and the panel shows the same element list, but the current focus is highlighted. You move through the app using the keyboard:

↑↓ — Move to the previous or next element in VoiceOver order
←→ — Switch between rotor categories (like swiping on device)
⏎ Enter — Activate the focused element (e.g. tap a button); the app navigates and the overlay updates
Esc — Exit navigation mode

You can search for elements, change the rotor category from the dropdown, and turn the overlay on or off from the panel. When you’re done, Stop Navigating returns you to the overlay-only view.

VoiceOver navigation mode with keyboard shortcuts (↑↓ ←→ ⏎ Esc), focused element highlighted in the list, and numbered overlay on the Simulator.

No device, no gestures, no context switch — you get a much quicker loop for checking VoiceOver behavior while you develop.