This is an updated version of an older post of the same name.
Screen readers have two modes: Browse mode and Forms mode (also known as Focus mode). One way to think about the difference is the keyboard interactions for desktop screen readers.
- In Browse mode, keystrokes perform reading and navigation actions by the screen reader.
- In Forms mode, keystrokes perform data entry actions by the browser.
Screen readers generally change modes automatically, particularly when entering a form field. With JAWS or NVDA the user can manually change modes. With VoiceOver on MacOS, VoiceOver on OS, and TalkBack on Android, the user cannot manually changes modes.
Browse mode
Browse mode is for reading. The page is read out in the HTML source order.
- Pressing the ↓ key moves the virtual cursor forward in the document and reads the next item. Keyboard focus does not move.
- On VoiceOver on MacOS it’s VO + → key.
- On VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android it’s swipe right.
- Pressing the ↑ key moves the virtual cursor backward and reads the previous item.
- On VoiceOver on MacOS it’s VO + ← key.
- On VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android it’s swipe left.
Keyboard shortcuts are available to move through words, sentences, paragraphs, lists, headings, tables, lists, images, and more. For example, in JAWS and NVDA: pressing h goes to the next heading; pressing b goes to the next button.
Mobile screen readers use a menu or rotor to select a category (for example: headings) then swipe down/up to move the next/previous item in the category.
Forms mode
Forms mode is for entering data in forms. Pressing the Tab key moves the virtual cursor and keyboard focus to the next focusable element. Other keys like Escape, Space, Enter, and the arrow keys allow more interactivity with the element that has keyboard focus.
Text (including headings and lists), images, and disabled form elements, do not receive focus.