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SPECIFICTION
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Accessibility Inspector

developer.apple.com

Free plan macOS
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Spec score 8.4 #5 of 25 in Game Profiling Software

What it is

Accessibility Inspector is Apple’s free macOS tool for examining accessibility information in app interfaces. It displays an element’s accessibility properties, available actions, and position in the view hierarchy. Audits identify common issues such as insufficient contrast, clipped text, and missing descriptions. Results can be saved as HTML reports containing summaries, screenshots, issue descriptions, and fix suggestions. Accessibility audits can also run in UI tests through performAccessibilityAudit(for:_:). The target menu includes apps on Mac and selected iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, or tvOS devices. Open it from Xcode through Xcode > Open Developer Tool > Accessibility Inspector. Apple’s listing describes Xcode as Mac-only, requiring macOS 26.2 or later and an Apple M1 chip or later, and labels it Free. Clearing reported issues does not prove complete accessibility; Apple recommends additional checks with assistive apps such as VoiceOver.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Accessibility Inspector displays, queries, and tests accessibility information for elements in an app’s view hierarchy.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
Support
Apple lists Developer Forums and Feedback Assistant as channels for questions, bug reports, and enhancement requests about developer tools.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
Headquarters
Cupertino, California, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
Founded
1976Read 28 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
Audit reports
Audit results can be saved as an HTML report containing summaries, screenshots, issue descriptions, and fix suggestions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
Audits
It audits app screens for common issues including insufficient contrast, clipped text, and missing element descriptions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
Automated scans
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
Automation
Accessibility audits can also run in UI tests using performAccessibilityAudit(for:_:).Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Browser extension
NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
How to open
Open it from Xcode by choosing Xcode > Open Developer Tool > Accessibility Inspector.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
Inspection
It shows an inspected element’s accessibility properties, available actions, and place in the view hierarchy.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com
Manual review tools
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
Mobile testing
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
Price
Apple’s App Store listing labels Xcode “Free.”Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Remediation guidance
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · developer.apple.com
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · developer.apple.com

Plans and prices

Xcode (includes Accessibility Inspector) Free Mac only · Accessibility Inspector is included in Xcode Read 7 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Every Accessibility Inspector plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan
  • Automated audits and manual inspection
  • HTML reports with fix suggestions
  • UI-test automation access
  • Inspects selected Apple-platform devices

Limits

  • macOS host only
  • Xcode requires macOS 26.2 or later
  • M1 chip or later required
  • Passing audits does not guarantee full accessibility

Who it suits

Accessibility Inspector is for developers building Apple-platform apps who need automated audits, manual inspection, reports, and UI-test access. It suits teams working across macOS and connected Apple devices.

Verdict

Accessibility Inspector provides focused inspection and audit workflows inside Xcode for Apple-platform development. Pair its reports and automation with assistive-technology checks because clearing findings alone is not a complete accessibility assessment.

Where Specifiction places it

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