iOS 18 Eye Tracking Not Working? Fixes

If your iPhone or iPad’s eye tracking in iOS 18 isn’t working, the most common causes are unsupported hardware, an uncalibrated setup, or the feature being off in Accessibility settings. This guide walks you through the exact steps to enable, calibrate, and troubleshoot Eye Tracking, plus what to do when it still won’t respond.

What Is Eye Tracking in iOS 18?

Eye Tracking is an accessibility feature introduced in iOS 18 that lets you control your iPhone or iPad using only your eyes. It uses the front-facing camera to detect where you’re looking, then moves a cursor on screen. You can select items by dwelling on them, and it works with other assistive features like AssistiveTouch and Switch Control. It’s designed for people with limited mobility, but anyone can try it.

Which Devices Support Eye Tracking?

Not every iPhone or iPad can run Eye Tracking. Apple states it requires a device with a TrueDepth camera (Face ID) and at least an A12 Bionic chip or later. That includes:

iPhone XS, XR, and all later models (iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, SE 2nd gen and newer)
iPad Pro 11-inch (2018 and later), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2018 and later), iPad Air (2019 and later), iPad mini (2019 and later), and iPad (2020 and later)

If your device is older, the feature simply won’t appear in Settings. That’s the first thing to check if you can’t find it.

How to Enable and Calibrate Eye Tracking

If your device supports it, here’s how to turn it on and get it working:

Open Settings → Accessibility → Eye Tracking.
Toggle on Eye Tracking. A calibration screen will appear with a dot that moves around. Follow it with your eyes.
After calibration, a cursor will appear on screen. Look at an item and pause to select it.

If calibration fails or the cursor doesn’t move, try these steps:

Make sure you’re in a well-lit room and the camera isn’t blocked by a case or screen protector.
Hold the device at a comfortable distance (about 12–18 inches from your face).
Remove glasses with strong reflections, or clean them.
Re-calibrate by going back to Settings → Accessibility → Eye Tracking and tapping Calibration.

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

Here are the most frequent issues people run into:

Eye Tracking option missing: Your device doesn’t support it, or you’re not on iOS 18. Update to the latest iOS.
Cursor doesn’t move: The camera can’t see your eyes. Check lighting, remove hats or hair covering your eyes, and ensure the camera lens is clean.
Cursor moves but selection is too sensitive: Adjust the Dwell Duration in Eye Tracking settings. Increase it to make selection harder (less accidental), decrease it to make it easier.
Feature turns off by itself: It may be disabled when the device locks or when you switch apps. Re-enable it from Control Center if you’ve added the Accessibility shortcut, or go back to Settings.
Works only in some apps: Eye Tracking works system-wide, but some apps may override the cursor. Try in a simple app like Notes first.

Calibration Tips That Actually Help

Calibration is the single most important step. If you rush it, the feature won’t work well. Here’s how to get it right:

Hold the device steady – prop it up or use a stand.
Keep your head still and move only your eyes to follow the dot.
Follow the dot completely to the edges – don’t stop early.
If you wear progressive lenses, try without them or adjust the device angle.
Re-calibrate every time you change lighting conditions or move to a new room.

Eye Tracking vs. Other Accessibility Options

Eye Tracking isn’t the only way to control your device hands-free. If it doesn’t work for you, consider these alternatives:

Switch Control: Uses external switches (like a Bluetooth button) to scan and select items. Works on more devices and doesn’t require a TrueDepth camera.
AssistiveTouch: Gives you an on-screen menu for gestures, but requires touch or another input method.
Voice Control: Lets you control everything with your voice – no camera needed. Great for people who can speak clearly.
Head Tracking: In iOS 18, you can set up Head Tracking (under Accessibility → Eye Tracking) to move the cursor with head movements instead of eyes – useful if eye tracking is unreliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Eye Tracking work with glasses or contact lenses?

Yes, but it can be less reliable. Glasses with anti-reflective coating work best. If you have thick lenses or strong astigmatism, calibration may fail. Try removing glasses during calibration, then put them back on – sometimes that helps the camera lock onto your eyes.

Why does Eye Tracking drain my battery?

The front camera is constantly processing video, which uses power. Expect noticeably shorter battery life while Eye Tracking is on. You can turn it off when not needed via Settings or the Accessibility shortcut.

Can I use Eye Tracking to type?

Yes, you can select keys on the on-screen keyboard by dwelling on them. It’s slow but works. You can also pair it with Switch Control to use a scanning keyboard.

Is Eye Tracking available on iPad with a mouse or trackpad?

Yes, but they work independently. If you have a mouse, the cursor moves with the mouse and eye tracking is ignored. To use eye tracking, disconnect the mouse or turn off the pointer.

What should I do if calibration keeps failing?

Try these in order: restart your device, clean the front camera, remove any screen protector, move to a brighter room, and hold the device closer. If it still fails, your device may have a hardware issue – contact Apple Support.

Does Eye Tracking work when the phone is lying flat on a table?

It can, but the camera needs to see your eyes. If the phone is flat, your face may be out of frame. Prop it up at an angle so the camera points at your face.

When to Consider Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the steps and Eye Tracking still doesn’t work, it’s possible the front camera is damaged or the iOS installation is corrupted. Try restoring your device from a backup or using the “Reset All Settings” option (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Reset → Reset All Settings). This won’t erase your data, but it will reset accessibility settings. If that doesn’t help, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for hardware diagnostics.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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