What is the best way to identify if a user has enabled high contrast accessibility settings on Mac OS?

Question

What is the best way to identify if a user has enabled high contrast accessibility settings on Mac OS?

I'm currently working on a project using React and TypeScript, and I need to figure out how to detect if a user has any of the high contrast accessibility settings enabled on Mac OS. These settings include Invert colors, Use grayscale, Differentiate without color, Increase contrast, or an increased Display contrast setting.

My goal is to find a way to detect these settings using JavaScript/TypeScript.

Currently, I have only been able to detect Invert colors.

Does anyone know how I can detect if a user has any of the other Mac OS accessibility settings enabled?

Additional information:

The prefers contrast media query is not yet available. Despite trying it, it does not work as expected.
The inverted colors media query only tests for the Invert colors setting.
Apple's developer documentation on color and contrast does not offer a clear solution.
Methods for detecting high contrast use in other browser and operating system scenarios

javascript macos safari accessibility high-contrast

Answer 1

Answer №1

Unfortunately, it is currently not possible.

The feature in Objective-C used to determine the accessibility mode's status has been deprecated since 10.9 without a replacement. This restriction applies not only to system-level developers but also potentially to web developers and AppleScript writers. Testing for assistive technology presence can backfire and compromise user privacy.

There may be hope in the future with stage 5 proposals, as seen here: https://drafts.csswg.org/mediaqueries-5/#prefers-contrast

Aside from that, it seems like you have hit a dead end.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, it is currently not possible.

The feature in Objective-C used to determine the accessibility mode's status has been deprecated since 10.9 without a replacement. This restriction applies not only to system-level developers but also potentially to web developers and AppleScript writers. Testing for assistive technology presence can backfire and compromise user privacy.

There may be hope in the future with stage 5 proposals, as seen here: https://drafts.csswg.org/mediaqueries-5/#prefers-contrast

Aside from that, it seems like you have hit a dead end.

Answer 3

Answer №2

For my most recent project, we utilized our UX knowledge to address the issue at hand. After exploring various options, we found that allowing users to manually toggle certain accessibility settings, such as High Contrast, proved to be effective. It's important not to get too hung up on trying to detect these settings automatically, as there are situations where this approach may not work due to factors like shared devices or outdated technology. In fact, some modern monitors even have built-in features that make detection challenging.

Ultimately, nothing beats a personalized message like "Hello {user.name}, here are some settings you can adjust in the upper-right corner".

Keep coding and stay happy!

Answer 4

For my most recent project, we utilized our UX knowledge to address the issue at hand. After exploring various options, we found that allowing users to manually toggle certain accessibility settings, such as High Contrast, proved to be effective. It's important not to get too hung up on trying to detect these settings automatically, as there are situations where this approach may not work due to factors like shared devices or outdated technology. In fact, some modern monitors even have built-in features that make detection challenging.

Ultimately, nothing beats a personalized message like "Hello {user.name}, here are some settings you can adjust in the upper-right corner".

Keep coding and stay happy!

Answer 5

Answer №3

In the year 2019, someone posed this question about accessibility features on macOS. Fast forward to 2022, and I find myself pondering the same thing. Interestingly, it turns out that the current version of macOS Monterey includes a feature called "Increase contrast." This feature's state can be determined using the following code:

const prefersContrast = matchMedia("(prefers-contrast: more)");

Aside from "more," other states include "no-preference," "less," and "custom." For more information, check out this resource: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/@media/prefers-contrast

Answer 6

In the year 2019, someone posed this question about accessibility features on macOS. Fast forward to 2022, and I find myself pondering the same thing. Interestingly, it turns out that the current version of macOS Monterey includes a feature called "Increase contrast." This feature's state can be determined using the following code:

const prefersContrast = matchMedia("(prefers-contrast: more)");

Aside from "more," other states include "no-preference," "less," and "custom." For more information, check out this resource: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/@media/prefers-contrast

Answer 7

Answer №4

Utilize Electron's nativeTheme API to access the

nativeTheme.shouldUseHighContrastColors

property for checking high-contrast mode status.

Check if the operating system / Chromium currently supports high-contrast mode or is set to display a high-contrast user interface.

// in main process
const {nativeTheme} = require('electron');

console.log(nativeTheme.shouldUseHighContrastColors);

Note to Original Poster: Although this may not directly address your browser-related issue, it can be helpful for individuals seeking to implement similar functionality within an electron application. Consider this information for potential future reference.

Answer 8

Utilize Electron's nativeTheme API to access the

nativeTheme.shouldUseHighContrastColors

property for checking high-contrast mode status.

Check if the operating system / Chromium currently supports high-contrast mode or is set to display a high-contrast user interface.

// in main process
const {nativeTheme} = require('electron');

console.log(nativeTheme.shouldUseHighContrastColors);

Note to Original Poster: Although this may not directly address your browser-related issue, it can be helpful for individuals seeking to implement similar functionality within an electron application. Consider this information for potential future reference.

What is the best way to identify if a user has enabled high contrast accessibility settings on Mac OS?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

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