Google releases new tool to scan Android apps for accessibility issues

For anyone designing Android apps, Google just released a tool that will help make your apps more accessible for all users. The company's new Accessibility Scanner looks at any Android app and will call out aspects of it that could be improved, particularly for differently-abled users. The app will even suggest ways you can alter things for the better

It seems pretty simple to use: just download the Accessibility Scanner to your mobile app, go to Settings and Accessibility, and turn on the Accessibility Scanner tool. You can then open the app you want to test and press the small blue button appearing on the screen. The tool scans that screen and then provides ways you could improve design element all over that screen, including larger text, color choices, navigational tools, and more.

Google's Accessibility Scanner at work, highlighting parts of an app that could be improved. (credit: Google)

Long-pressing the button will let you move it to a different screen in the app, and you can keep scanning from there. These improvement suggestions are meant for both developers and users alike, since you could benefit from simply increasing your mobile device's text size or something similar.

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