Accessibility Testing for Mobile Apps: A 2025 Guide

Mobile phones have gone from clunky, bulky, and expensive communication devices to sleek, powerful, pocket-sized computers we use daily. With the rise of smartphones, mobile usage soared, with 4.69 billion people worldwide owning a smartphone and spending roughly 4 hours and 37 minutes a day on their phones. 

With those billions of devices comes an ever-expanding universe of mobile applications. From managing finances and ordering groceries to connecting with friends and family and accessing healthcare, mobile apps have become the go-to tools for navigating daily life. 

But as these experiences become more essential, so does the responsibility to ensure they’re accessible to everyone — including the more than 1 billion people around the world living with a disability.

Accessibility testing for mobile apps isn’t just about checking a few boxes. It’s about making sure everyone — regardless of ability — can independently use the apps we use daily. Below, we’ll explore what accessibility testing for mobile apps involves, why it matters, and how you can create accessible mobile experiences.

What is Accessibility Testing for Mobile Apps?

Accessibility testing for mobile apps means testing the app to ensure it works well for people with disabilities, including those using screen readers, voice controls, or other assistive technologies. It ensures that everyone can navigate, understand, and use the app, regardless of their abilities. This includes testing devices such as:

• Phones and tablets

• Digital TVs

• Wearable devices, including smartwatches

• Devices in car dashboards and airplane seatbacks

• Devices in household appliances

• IoT devices

WCAG and Levels of Conformance

During mobile app accessibility testing, testers work to ensure devices conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are used to determine compliance with additional accessibility laws (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the European Accessibility Act (EAA), and Section 508). WCAG success criteria are organized under four key principles, commonly known as the POUR principles, which state that content, including mobile apps, must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. 

Additionally, success criteria are divided into three levels of conformance: Level A (least strict), Level AA (most strict), and Level AAA (most strict). Most accessibility laws use WCAG 2.1 Level AA as a basis for conformance, as this level removes most digital accessibility barriers on mobile devices. 

To ensure mobile apps conform to WCAG standards, testers look for common mobile accessibility failures, including:

• Poor color contrast

• Missing or inaccurate labels

• Inconsistent focus order

• Touch targets that are too small

• Lack of keyboard accessibility

• Headings used in an improper order

• No support for screen readers

Mobile App Accessibility Checklist

To create mobile apps that work for everyone — including users with disabilities — it’s critical to design with accessibility in mind from the start. This can also help you ensure your mobile app complies with accessibility laws. Whether you’re building a new app or improving an existing one, the checklist below can help you spot common accessibility issues and build accessible, compliant mobile apps:

• Text alternatives (alt text): Ensure all icons, images, and buttons have meaningful alt text and accessible labels.

• Color contrast: Text should have a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 against its background.

• Touch targets: Touch or tap targets should be at least 44x44 pixels and spaced well to avoid accidental traps.

• Screen reader support: Ensure all content is announced correctly by screen readers such as VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android).

• Logical focus order: Users should be able to navigate the app in a logical order using assistive technologies.

• Labeling: All form fields, buttons, and controls have descriptive, accessible labels.

• Consistent navigation: Screens follow a predictable layout and interaction pattern.

• Keyboard and switch access: App functions can be controlled without touch — via keyboard, voice, or switch.

• Status messages: Pop-ups, alerts, and error messages are announced to assistive technologies.

• Motion triggers: Critical actions don’t rely solely on shaking or tilting mobile devices.

These are just some of the accessibility features your mobile app should include to meet accessibility requirements and create an accessible mobile experience. For a more complete list, check out our Essential WCAG Checklist.

Mobile web browser with various pop-ups around it next to the accessibility icon.

Why is Accessibility Testing Necessary for Mobile Apps?

Mobile usage is only going to grow. It’s predicted that smartphone usage will grow to over 5 billion users by 2026, and the mobile app market will reach $629 billion by 2030. As mobile use continues to rise, developers have the responsibility to ensure apps are accessible, usable, and compliant.

That’s where accessibility testing comes in. 

Regular, ongoing testing ensures apps are accessible — through every update or new feature launch — and compliant even as accessibility laws evolve. 

Let’s dive in.

How Accessibility Testing Expands Reach for Mobile Apps

How accessible your mobile app is directly impacts its overall perception — and how widely it's used. Accessible apps earn higher ratings and more positive reviews because they work for more people, in more situations. That includes users with disabilities, as well as people with situational disabilities (like a broken arm or being in a brightly lit environment) or aging-related changes.

When accessibility is lacking, users may leave negative reviews, citing poor screen reader support, tiny touch targets, or confusing navigation. Even users without disabilities may struggle because many accessibility issues are actually usability issues in disguise. That leads to frustration, uninstalls, and lower customer retention. 

An inaccessible app can signal that some users weren’t considered, damaging your brand’s reputation and alienating users who value accessibility. 

Accessibility testing helps you avoid these risks and grow your audience's reach. One billion people live with a disability, and designing with their needs in mind makes your app easier to use, more inclusive, and more likely to keep users coming back.

Legal Compliance Obligations for Mobile Apps

Beyond just being good business, accessibility is also a legal requirement. Most accessibility laws require mobile apps to be accessible. Failing to meet compliance standards could increase your risk of reputational damage, demand letters, and even lawsuits.

Here’s a closer look at how common accessibility laws enforce mobile app accessibility:

• ADA: The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in public places, including the Internet and mobile apps. Though the ADA itself doesn’t include specific technical standards, it does enforce WCAG guidelines.

• EAA: As of June 2025, the EAA requires mobile apps from businesses offering services like banking, eCommerce, transportation, and more to meet the accessibility standards outlined in POUR (which are similar to WCAG standards). Failure to do so can result in fines, penalties, and even market restrictions.

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): In Canada, the AODA requires organizations to ensure digital content, including mobile apps, conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This applies to public and private sector organizations with over 50 employees operating in Ontario. 

Does Section 508 Apply to Mobile Apps

Yes, in some cases. Section 508 does require federal agencies (and the vendors they work with) to ensure that all ICT (information and communication technology) is accessible to people with disabilities. This includes mobile apps. 

If your organization develops mobile apps for a U.S. federal agency or is bidding on a government contract, your app must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA under Section 508. Even if your app isn’t used by the federal government, Section 508 does provide a clear framework for accessible design, and many organizations use it as a benchmark for internal accessibility requirements.

How are Mobile Apps Tested for Accessibility

Now that you know the importance of mobile app accessibility — from a business and legal perspective — let’s get into the ‘how’ behind mobile accessibility testing. 

Mobile App Accessibility Testing Methods

As mentioned above, mobile app accessibility testing tests your app for common barriers like missing alt text, poor color contrast, etc. Testing for accessibility issues on mobile content can be done in two ways:

• Automated testing, which uses automated accessibility testing tools to scan your content for common barriers. Some tools can even provide automatic fixes for those issues, streamlining your path to accessibility.

• Manual (or expert) testing, which involves using accessibility experts and members of the disability community to test your mobile content for more complex accessibility issues or WCAG violations. 

While both approaches have benefits, it’s important to understand their limitations as well. For instance, automated testing can only find common issues, meaning additional issues — ones that can increase your legal risk — can remain on your site. Expert or manual testing can help find those more hidden issues, but it can be expensive, time-consuming, and resource-intensive. 

The best approach — hybrid testing. Hybrid testing starts the testing process with automated testing and supplements it with additional testing from accessibility experts or users with disabilities. For example, AudioEye starts the testing process with a free scan using our free Website Accessibility Checker, which finds common issues. We then supplement that testing with Expert Audits from our team of experts and members of the disability community. This enables us to detect and fix more accessibility issues than any other tool on the market.

Want to give it a try? Scan your digital content here.

A stylized web browser with a number of accessibility issues highlighted by red exclamation points, next to icons of a wrench and some gears.

5 Mobile App Accessibility Tools

There’s no shortage of tools designed to help teams build more accessible mobile experiences — from automated testing platforms to screen reader emulators and color contrast checkers. The right tools can help streamline your development and QA processes, making it easier to identify and fix accessibility issues before they reach your users.

Below are five of the most used mobile accessibility testing tools: 

1. AudioEye

AudioEye’s Mobile App Audits start with automated testing to find common accessibility issues, which are then supplemented by human testing from our team of experts. Not only does this help you detect and fix more accessibility issues, but it also streamlines your path to compliance. You can also share results from your audit across teams, ensuring everyone is on the same page and creating a clear path forward.

2. TalkBack Accessibility

TalkBack is a built-in screen reader specifically designed for Android devices. The tool allows you to test how Android apps are announced and experienced for visually impaired users.

3. Google Accessibility Scanner

The Google Accessibility Scanner is an Android tool that scans mobile apps and provides suggestions on where to improve accessibility, such as touch target size, color contrast, alt text, and content labeling.

4. Xcode Accessibility Inspector (iOS)

Xcode Accessibility Inspector is an Xcode tool that helps determine how accessible iOS apps are. The app works by simulating VoiceOver on iOS devices and inspecting UI elements such as text size and color contrast for accessibility.

5. BrowserStack

BrowserStack is a cross-platform testing tool that allows you to test your app across real mobile devices and screen readers to ensure compatibility and accessibility. The tool scans for accessibility issues such as focus order, touch target sizes, missing labels, etc.

Choosing the Right Mobile App Testing Tool

The tools mentioned above are just some of the numerous solutions in the market. However, not all mobile app testing tools are created equal. Choosing the right one isn’t just about fitting your budget or going with whatever has the highest star rating.

To ensure accessibility, you need a tool that aligns with your workflow, accurately identifies issues, and supports your team’s needs. Here are a few things to look for when evaluating tools:

• Define your scope: Consider what you need to do. Are you looking for an automated tool that can quickly find issues? Expert testing from users with disabilities? Compatibility testing across devices? Understanding what your priorities are upfront will help you filter out tools that don’t align with your workflow or team structure. 

• User interface and ease of use: Look for tools with intuitive interfaces, simple navigation, and clear guidance within the platform. A well-designed UI reduces learning curves and helps teams adopt accessibility best practices. 

• Supported operating systems: Ensure the tool supports the platforms your app runs on — whether that’s iOS, Android, or both. 

• Reporting and insights: High-quality tools should clearly communicate what accessibility needs to be fixed. Look for tools that offer detailed reports that explain issues in plain language, prioritize fixes, and, ideally, provide recommendations for fixes.

• Customer support and documentation: Because accessibility can be complex, be sure tools include strong customer support, active communities, training, and thorough documentation. These can save your team time and frustration, especially if you’re new to accessibility testing. 

• Free trial or demo access: Before committing to a tool, test it yourself. A free trial or live demo lets you see first-hand how it can fit into your workflow and if it will deliver the insights and results you need to improve accessibility.

Steps to Take After Getting the Mobile App Accessibility Testing Report

Auditing your mobile apps for accessibility is just the first step — what you do next is what really matters. Start by reviewing the issues identified during the audit and grouping them by severity and type (e.g., missing labels, low contrast, poor focus order, etc.). Prioritize fixes that block basic usability or affect key user tasks, like navigation or form completion. 

For example, say you’re a retailer who ran an accessibility audit on your mobile app. You found that several key buttons — including “Add to Cart” — weren’t labeled for screen readers. While the development team initially focused on fixing visual layout bugs, the report helped them realize that blind users couldn’t complete purchases. 

After labeling those buttons and improving focus order, they not only reduced friction for screen reader users, but also saw a drop in cart abandonment across all users. In short: fixing accessibility issues often improves the experience for everyone.

Think of your accessibility report as a roadmap — one that gives you a clear starting point to drive real, measurable improvements.

Mobile App Accessibility with AudioEye

Mobile phones will continue to shape how we live, work, and connect — and accessibility can no longer be an afterthought. It’s a core part of delivering high-quality, user-friendly digital experiences. Additionally, investing in accessibility testing isn’t just about compliance, it’s about making sure your app works for everyone, in every context.

And that’s where AudioEye comes in. 

AudioEye’s Mobile App Audits combine the speed of automation with the expertise of human audits to detect accessibility issues in your mobile app. The results from our audit are combined into a detailed, easy-to-share report that can be shared across your team, giving you a clear starting point for enhancing your app’s accessibility. Plus, with AudioEye Assurance, you’ll enjoy a level of legal protection that’s 400% better than consulting or automation-only approaches. 

Ready to make your mobile app more accessible? Schedule a demo today and see how AudioEye turns accessibility into a competitive advantage.