while reading some posts where users could not activate VoiceOver after updating to iOS 26 and rebooting their devices, I came up with a potential solution. Please note, I have not updated my device just yet, so I cannot verify as to whether or not this will actually work.
Having said that, here is my recommendation:
1. Before updating, go to Settings, Accessibility, PHYSICAL AND MOTOR, Touch, Back Tap. This is not the same Back Tap as VoiceOver's version, though they are very similar. With the exception that this version is systemwide, whereas the VO version only works when VO is actually running.
2. Enable Back Tap, and choose the triple tap option. Navigate to the Accessibility heading, then swipe right until you find, and selectβVoiceOverβ do not choose Accessibility Shortcut here.
3. Next go to Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver, Commands, Touch Gestures, Back Tap. Again, choose the triple tap option, and tap the bottom of the screen one time with four fingers, then navigate upwards by headings until you find the system heading. Swipe right once and selectβ"Accessibility Shortcut".
This set up will allow you to toggle VoiceOver on and off, simply by triple tapping the back of your device. The reason why I suggest using, VoiceOver, instead of, Accessibility Shortcut, for the 2nd step is on the slim chance that the iOS 26 update is resetting the Accessibility Shortcut. This, in fact, happened to me updating from iOS 17.X to 18.0, so I know it's possible.
Anyways, happy updating, and I do hope this workaround helps you guys out. π
Comments
Scary Bug
Didn't even know there were two sets of gestures. Guess I'm just in a VoiceOver bubble.
The update hasn't come down my bend of the river, but I was thinking about how I would get passed the code screen without VO. I happen to have a bluetooth keyboard paired with my phone, so entering the code with that might also work. I'm guessing Siri could enable VO from there.
Old dogs and new tricks
I said this elsewhere, but I have an old SE 2020 that I am going to attempt to factory reset and update to iOS 26. If it will let me even.
I figure I would just play around with the new settings, and if I end up bricking that device . . . π€·