In the new version of the iOS 26 operating system, Apple has introduced not only an updated “glass” interface design but also a number of innovative features, some of which users will discover over time. Among these new features are enhanced capabilities for controlling a smartphone using head movements and facial expressions.
One of the most talked-about features was Head Tracking, designed primarily for people with motor impairments. However, it quickly became a viral trend among ordinary users, according to SlashGear. Videos are being widely shared on social media showing iPhone users scrolling through TikTok and Reels while simply sticking out their tongues or winking at the camera.
The gadget doesn’t require any additional sensors—the system uses the front-facing camera to recognize facial expressions, head tilts, and even the slightest lip movements. This is how the iPhone responds to certain gestures, which can be assigned to specific actions, such as scrolling a page, tapping the “Like” button, or switching videos.
How to Enable Language Settings in iOS 26
- Open Settings → Accessibility → Head Tracking.
- Enable this option and allow the camera to be used.
- In the “Actions” section, select “Stick out tongue,” and then assign the “Scroll down” command.
- If necessary, adjust the cursor speed and recognition sensitivity.
- To disable this feature, return to this menu and turn off “Head Tracking.”
In addition to scrolling through content with your tongue, the system allows you to assign other commands: for example, a smile can mean “like,” and raising your eyebrows can mean sending a video or opening a page.
Apple emphasizes that this feature was designed primarily to improve accessibility, but the community already sees it as a step toward more interactive touchless control. Users joke that the iPhone can now “read lips”—and even track tongue movements.