Imagine scrolling through TikTok, laughing at a goofy dance video or marveling at a stunning travel vlog, but not being able to fully experience it because you can’t see the screen clearly—or at all. For millions of users with visual impairments, this has long been a frustrating reality on social media platforms. But TikTok is stepping up to change that, rolling out a suite of accessibility features that leverage artificial intelligence to make the app more inclusive than ever. From AI-generated alt text for photos to enhanced color contrast options, TikTok is proving that accessibility doesn’t have to be an afterthought—it can be a core part of the user experience.

In April 2024, TikTok quietly introduced support for alt text on still images, allowing creators to manually add descriptions that screen readers could relay to visually impaired users. It was a solid first step, but let’s be real: not every creator has the time, awareness, or know-how to write thoughtful alt text for every image they post. That’s where TikTok’s latest innovation comes in. The platform is now testing a feature that automatically generates alt text for photos using AI when creators don’t provide their own.

Alt text, short for “alternative text,” is a brief description of an image that screen readers read aloud to users who are blind or have low vision. Without it, visually impaired users might miss out on key context, like what’s happening in a meme or who’s in a group selfie. By using AI to fill in the gaps, TikTok is ensuring that more images on the platform are accessible, even if creators don’t manually add descriptions.

Of course, AI isn’t perfect. If you’ve ever played around with AI-generated content, you know it can sometimes miss the mark—maybe it describes a dog as a “fluffy brown creature” when it’s actually a golden retriever in a superhero costume. That’s why TikTok is keeping creators in the loop, allowing them to edit or replace the AI-generated alt text either during the upload process or after publishing. This hybrid approach strikes a balance: the AI provides a baseline of accessibility, while creators can fine-tune the descriptions to ensure accuracy and personality.

TikTok isn’t stopping at alt text. The platform is also rolling out a color contrast toggle that boosts the visibility of text, icons, and user interface elements. For users with low vision or conditions like color blindness, low contrast can make it nearly impossible to read captions or navigate menus. The new toggle increases the foreground color intensity, making everything pop against the background. It’s a simple change, but for someone struggling to distinguish gray text from a slightly darker gray background, it’s a big deal.

Then there’s the bold text feature, which automatically kicks in when TikTok detects that a user has enabled bold text support on their device. Every line of text in the app—captions, comments, menus—gets a bold makeover, improving readability for users with visual impairments or those who just find bold text easier on the eyes. It’s a small but thoughtful touch that shows TikTok is paying attention to how people actually use their devices.

These features are already live, and you can find them in TikTok’s revamped accessibility settings. On iOS or Android, head to your profile, tap the three-line menu, and look for the accessibility page. Desktop users can access the same options via the left-hand taskbar. The settings are intuitive, with clear toggles and explanations, making it easy for users to customize their experience.