Smartphones today come with numerous accessibility features that help people with disabilities use their phones with ease. However, TTY mode is an often-overlooked feature that simplifies voice-over text communication, benefiting those with hearing or speech impairments. Here, we will explain what TTY mode is, how it functions, and how to activate it on your Android and iOS phone.
What Does TTY Mode Mean on Phones?
TTY stands for TeleTYpewriter. It enables people who are hard of hearing or deaf to send and receive text messages over phone lines. It works by converting tones to text that the receiver can read. The sent text is converted to tones and then back to text.
In the past, this required a dedicated machine with a keyboard and screen for communication. Today, software-based TTY brings the same functionality to your phone without the need for special hardware.
This feature is readily available as an accessibility option on most Android and iOS smartphones. There are different types of TTY options to choose from. Let’s explore what each option means.
- TTY Full: Both parties communicate entirely through typed text.
- TTY HCO (Hearing Carry Over): Ideal for those with difficulty speaking. You can hear the other person’s voice over the call but reply via text.
- TTY VCO (Voice Carry Over): Designed for those with difficulty hearing. You can speak during the call and receive the other person’s response as text.
How to Enable TTY Mode on Android
TTY mode can be found within the Phone app’s accessibility settings on Android. Here’s how to enable it:
- Open your Phone’s dialer app.
- Tap on the 3-dots icon at the top right.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > TTY mode.
- Choose your preferred option from TTY Full, TTY HCO, or TTY VCO.
Note: This accessibility option might not be available in some regions. If you can’t access the feature using these steps, try searching for “TTY” within the Settings app on your phone.
How to Enable TTY Mode on iPhone
Unlike Android, TTY mode on the iPhone is found within the iOS Settings app. Follow these steps to enable it:
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
- Go to Accessibility > Hearing > RTT/TTY.
- Turn on the Software RTT/TTY toggle.
Now, when you make a call, you should see an RTT/TTY option next to the contact’s name. Tap on this option to activate TTY mode for the ongoing call. Note that the TTY calling feature is only available for plans from carriers in the United States and Canada. Standard voice call rates apply, as mentioned on Apple’s support page.
Here’s how you can enable TTY mode on your smartphone. While the feature did not appear on our iPhone in India, we attempted to test it on Android, but it didn’t work. The region-related limitation prevented the option from being available on the iPhone. However, if you have hearing or speech issues and live in the United States or Canada, we recommend giving this feature a try.
If you have any doubts or questions related to this guide, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below.