Set up your iPhone to work with TapKit by configuring Switch Control.
Overview
TapKit uses iOS Switch Control to execute gestures on your iPhone. This requires specific configuration to ensure reliable automation.
Requirements
- iPhone running iOS 16 or later
- USB cable (for initial setup)
- Mac with TapKit app installed
- Same Wi-Fi network on both Mac and iPhone
- Bluetooth enabled on both devices
- Same iCloud account signed in on both devices
Your Mac and iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network, have Bluetooth on, and be signed into the same iCloud account. Without these, Switch Control cannot communicate between devices.
Switch Control Configuration
Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control on your iPhone.
Switches
You should see 4 switches configured here. These are created automatically when you connect your phone to the TapKit Mac app.
Scanning Style
Set to Manual Scanning.
| Option | Set To |
|---|
| Auto Scanning | - |
| Manual Scanning | Selected |
| Single Switch Step Scanning | - |
Mode
Set to Gliding Cursor.
| Option | Set To |
|---|
| Item Mode | - |
| Gliding Cursor | Selected |
| Head Tracking | - |
Timing
| Setting | Value |
|---|
| Auto Hide | Off |
| Move Repeat | 1 second (On) |
| Focused Item After Tap | First Item |
Keyboard
| Setting | Value |
|---|
| Scan Same Key | Off |
| Always Tap Keyboard Keys | On |
| Extended Predictions | On |
Extended Predictions may not be required - we’re still determining if this affects automation.
Switch Stabilization
Set to Off.
Ignore Repeat
Set to Off.
Point Scanning
These settings are critical for TapKit to work correctly.
| Setting | Value |
|---|
| Gliding Cursor | On |
| Selection Mode | Single |
| Gliding Cursor Speed | 30 |
Support for faster gliding cursor speeds is planned. For now, set to 30.
Head Tracking
Set to Off.
Audio
| Setting | Value |
|---|
| Sound Effects | Off |
| Speech | Off |
Visual
| Setting | Value |
|---|
| Large Cursors | Off |
| Cursor Color | Blue |
Menu Items configuration is critical for automation. The order of items determines how TapKit navigates the Switch Control menu.
Top Level
Select and order these items:
- Gestures
- Home
- Device
- Settings
- Recipes
- Shortcuts
- Element Specific Actions
Gestures
Select and order these items:
- Saved
- Tap
- Flick
- Pan
- Pinch
- Tap and Hold
- Drag
- Hold and Drag
- Direct Touch
- Double Tap
- Freehand Fingers
Device
Select and order these items:
- App Switcher
- Notification Center
- Control Center
- Lock Screen
- Rotate Screen
- Volume Up
- Volume Down
- Spotlight Search
- Siri
- Accessibility Shortcut
- Type to Siri
- Shake
- Screenshot
- Speak Screen
- SOS
- Apple Pay
- Use Other Devices
- Voice Control
- Analytics
- Restart
Settings
Settings menu item order documentation coming soon.
Media Controls menu item order documentation coming soon.
Enabling Switch Control
After configuring all the settings above, Switch Control still needs to be turned on for TapKit to work.
There is no off switch inside the Switch Control menu itself. You must toggle it on/off from the main Switch Control screen or use a shortcut.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control
- Toggle Switch Control to On at the top of the screen
- The gliding cursor should appear on screen
If you’re using TapKit on your primary phone, we recommend assigning a shortcut to quickly toggle Switch Control on and off using your iPhone’s Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro and later).
This lets you quickly enable Switch Control when running automations and disable it when using your phone normally.
Verification
After enabling Switch Control, verify everything is working:
- Switch Control should be toggled On
- You should see the gliding cursor appear on screen
- The TapKit Mac app should show your phone as connected and ready
Troubleshooting
Mac and iPhone can’t find each other
Verify:
- Both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
- Bluetooth is enabled on both devices
- Both are signed into the same iCloud account
Public Wi-Fi networks can cause issues. Home and office networks typically work fine, but public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, airports, hotels) may prevent your Mac and iPhone from discovering each other. If you’re on a public network and experiencing issues, try switching to a personal hotspot or different network.
Switches not appearing
Make sure your phone is connected via USB and trusted by the Mac. The TapKit Mac app creates the switches automatically.
Gestures not executing correctly
Verify the Menu Items are in the exact order specified above. TapKit relies on this order to navigate the Switch Control menu.
Slow automation
Check that Gliding Cursor Speed is set to 30. Lower values will slow down automation.
Still having issues?
If you’re experiencing problems not covered here, contact our support team. We’re happy to help you get set up. 
