Lock an iPad to One AAC App with Guided Access

When an AAC app runs on a regular iPad, it is easy to leave it by accident and land in another app or on the Home Screen. Guided Access, a free iPadOS and iOS feature, can keep the AAC app open until the AAC user or a trusted support person ends the session.

Turn Guided Access on (one-time setup)

1. Open Settings, then Accessibility, then Guided Access (near the bottom, under General).
2. Toggle Guided Access on.
3. Tap Passcode Settings, then Set Guided Access Passcode, and choose a code the AAC user or a trusted support person can retrieve. You can also enable Face ID or Touch ID to end sessions.

Start a session

1. Open the AAC app you want to lock to.
2. Triple-click the side button (or the home button on older devices).
3. Tap Start in the top corner. The device is now locked to that app.

Limit specific areas of the screen

During setup you can circle an area to ignore accidental taps. Never block vocabulary, the message bar, speaking controls, or the person’s way to communicate. Before disabling touch for a switch user, confirm that Switch Control can still reach and operate every communication control they need.

End a session

Triple-click the side or home button again and enter your passcode (or use Face ID / Touch ID). If a triple-click ever seems to do nothing, check that Guided Access is still enabled in Accessibility settings and that you are clicking quickly enough.

Apple also offers Live Speech and Personal Voice for built-in text-to-speech. Ask the chat if you want help setting those up alongside a dedicated AAC app.