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Accessibility Inspector
Cupertino, California, USA
What it is
Accessibility Inspector is a free macOS tool included with Xcode for examining accessibility information in Apple-platform apps. It displays an element’s accessibility properties, available actions, and position in the view hierarchy. Audits check issues such as insufficient contrast, clipped text, and missing element descriptions. Results can be saved as HTML reports containing summaries, screenshots, issue descriptions, and fix suggestions. Audits can also run in UI tests through performAccessibilityAudit(for:_:). The target menu includes Mac apps and selected iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, or tvOS devices. Open it in Xcode through Xcode > Open Developer Tool > Accessibility Inspector. Apple’s listing requires macOS 26.2 or later and an Apple M1 chip or later, and labels Xcode Free. Apple notes that clearing reported issues does not prove full accessibility and recommends assistive-app testing such as VoiceOver.
For and against
For
- Automated audits and manual inspection
- HTML reports include screenshots and fix suggestions
- Can inspect connected Apple devices
- Audits can run in UI tests
- Included free with Xcode
Against
- Mac-only host environment
- Requires macOS 26.2 or later
- Requires Apple M1 chip or later
- Cleared issues do not guarantee full accessibility
The verdict
Accessibility Inspector brings inspection, audit reporting, and automation into Xcode for Apple-platform development. It is useful for finding common issues, but Apple recommends additional assistive-app checks.
Who it suits
This tool is intended for developers building Apple-platform apps who need automated audits, manual inspection, and UI-test access. It suits teams working from a Mac with supported Apple hardware and macOS.
Plans and prices
Xcode (includes Accessibility Inspector)
Mac only · Accessibility Inspector is included in Xcode
Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
On the record
- Audit reports
- Audit results can be saved as an HTML report containing summaries, screenshots, issue descriptions, and fix suggestions.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Audits
- It audits app screens for common issues including insufficient contrast, clipped text, and missing element descriptions.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Automated scans
- Yesdeveloper.apple.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Automation
- Accessibility audits can also run in UI tests using performAccessibilityAudit(for:_:).developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Availability
- Apple’s App Store listing describes Xcode as Mac-only and lists macOS 26.2 or later and an Apple M1 chip or later as requirements.apps.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Browser extension
- Nodeveloper.apple.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- How to open
- Open it from Xcode by choosing Xcode > Open Developer Tool > Accessibility Inspector.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Inspection
- It shows an inspected element’s accessibility properties, available actions, and place in the view hierarchy.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Apple describes Xcode as a tool suite for building apps for Apple platforms, and Accessibility Inspector helps developers identify accessibility issues in those apps.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Limit
- Apple says clearing all reported audit issues does not guarantee an app is fully accessible and recommends testing with assistive apps such as VoiceOver.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Manual review tools
- Yesdeveloper.apple.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Mobile testing
- Yesdeveloper.apple.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Price
- Apple’s App Store listing labels Xcode “Free.”apps.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Accessibility Inspector displays, queries, and tests accessibility information for elements in an app’s view hierarchy.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Remediation guidance
- Yesdeveloper.apple.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Support
- Apple lists Developer Forums and Feedback Assistant as channels for questions, bug reports, and enhancement requests about developer tools.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Targets
- The target menu lists connected devices and apps; the tool can inspect apps running on Mac and apps running on selected iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, or tvOS devices.developer.apple.com · read 7 Oct 2026
