TikTok is rolling out new accessibility features that make it easier for visually impaired people to view text and use screen readers on the platform. After adding support for alternative text for still images in April, TikTok is now testing a feature that automatically adds an AI-generated alternative text description to photos if the author has not added it manually.
Authors will still have the option to add their own descriptions to images when uploading or after publishing, allowing them to correct any information in the AI-generated versions. However, even if AI alternative text is imperfect, users who rely on readers to process visual content may find that its widespread use is preferable to images with no alternative text at all.
TikTok is also launching a new color contrast toggle that can be used to increase the foreground color of text, icons, and interface elements. This should make descriptions and controls clearer, helping people with poor eyesight or contrast sensitivity to navigate the platform. Additionally, TikTok will now automatically display all text in bold throughout the app when it detects that users have enabled bold text support on their devices.
All of these features are available now and can be found on TikTok’s updated accessibility settings page, which can be found in iOS and Android user profiles under the three-line menu or in the left taskbar on the desktop.
