how to create a shortcut to switch an accessibility setting

Question

how to create a shortcut to switch an accessibility setting

I wear hearing aids.

On my iPad I usually have Settings/Accessibility/Hearing Devices/Audio Routing/Media Audio set to Always Hearing Devices so I can watch stuff without bothering my wife with the sounds. Occasionally I want to share something to watch with her and I have to change that setting to Never Hearing Devices so the audio plays through the iPad speaker.

I want to make a shortcut to switch this setting back and forth without having to go through all the steps every time.

It seems like ShortCut should be the way to do this, but I can't see how to even start with creating something new with the app. If there's something in the user manual about it I totally missed it.

Can someone point me to where I can find this?

If it matters, it's an Air 5 with latest ipados installed.

iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Apr 16, 2025 6:57 PM

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Answer 1

Alancito

Level 7

29,213 points

Apr 17, 2025 12:17 AM in response to bill.robertson

bill ~ I don't have devices to test the following Change Playback Destination shortcut action, but anyway, here's how to "start with creating something new with the app":

Create a custom shortcut on iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

ak1956

Level 2

350 points

Apr 17, 2025 4:11 AM in response to bill.robertson

Hello Bill

There is a guide to shortcuts here: Shortcuts User Guide – Apple Support (UK)

I found shortcuts quite difficult to understand, but they are useful once you get to used to them.

Creating a shortcut as you suggest would be useful when you have so many menu options to navigate. I have some to toggle Accessibility settings.

Unfortunately, unless Apple have created a Shortcut Action that controls the setting you want to change then it may not be possible to use a shortcut. I had a look and I cannot see one for the "Media Audio" setting.

I do not know if the suggestion of Alancito will work - I too do not have a MiFi hearing device to try it.

If that does not work I would reach out to the Apple Accessibility Helpdesk (Email: accessibility@apple.com) and it maybe they can suggest a workaround, or feed your requirement back to the developers.

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Answer 3

Apr 17, 2025 10:11 AM in response to ak1956

Thanks for your reply. After I posted my original note I did find the area in the user manual but as you mention, I can't find anything specifically for that setting.

I'll try contacting the helpdesk you suggested.

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Answer 4

Apr 17, 2025 10:21 AM in response to Alancito

Thanks for your reply. I suspect this would work, if I only had an AirPlay device to send to, but I don't. I just want to toggle between the iPad speaker and my hearing aid.

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Answer 5

Alancito

Level 7

29,213 points

Apr 17, 2025 1:27 PM in response to bill.robertson

bill ~ The following URL in a custom shortcut would save you a couple of taps by opening Settings' Hearing Devices pane:

prefs:root=ACCESSIBILITY&path=HEARING_AID_TITLE

...More Settings URLs here.

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Answer 6

Apr 21, 2025 4:23 PM in response to bill.robertson

I heard back from the Apple Accessibility group. They suggested using the "Now Playing" card on the Control Center which has an option for directing where playback will go. This works. Problem solved.

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