Dear Apple Accessibility Team,
When trimming videos in the Photos app on the iPhone, we encounter a few significant issues with VoiceOver. I would like to explain them in detail:
1. Open a video in the Photos app.
2. Tap the Edit button to enter editing mode.
3. To trim the video, it is necessary to adjust the start and end times. This is where the challenges arise:
When swiping up or down with one finger to adjust either the start or end time, VoiceOver only moves the slider in very small increments—just a few frames or seconds. For longer videos, this makes it extremely time-consuming to set precise timings.
To make this process more efficient, I would like to be able to double-tap and hold, then drag my finger to move the slider quickly. However, with VoiceOver enabled, this gesture does not affect the slider value, it changes the keyframe value instead—The starting time remains unchanged.
Although it is possible to scrub through the current time in the video, the only way to adjust the start or end time is by swiping up or down, which significantly slows the editing process.
Suggested improvements:
• Enable the ability to adjust the start and end times by allowing users to double-tap and hold the slider, then drag to the desired point.
• Ensure that VoiceOver announces the current slider value (either start or end time) as the user drags their finger, to provide feedback on the exact position within the video.
I am attaching a screen recording, as this issue is difficult to demonstrate clearly through text alone. This limitation has been a long-standing barrier for blind content creators, and we kindly request that it be addressed.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Comments
I received a response
It’s my first time seeing such a detailed response. Perhaps they genuinely appreciated the thoroughness of my report. I hope they address the issue promptly.
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out and providing such a detailed report regarding the issues you're experiencing with VoiceOver while trimming videos in the Photos app. We appreciate you taking the time to explain the problem so thoroughly, and for including the screen recording.
We have carefully reviewed your description of the limited slider increment control and gesture conflict when adjusting start and end times. We will be sure to share your feedback, including your suggested improvements for enabling the double-tap and drag gesture and providing real-time VoiceOver feedback, with our Photos app and VoiceOver teams for their review and consideration.
Thank you again for contacting us and providing this valuable insight.
Sincerely,
Apple Accessibility