Google has released the standalone ‘Switch Access’ app, which was previously part of the Android Accessibility Suite, on the Play Store.

Instead of using the touchscreen, users can interact with their Android device using one or more switches or a keyboard.

“Switches or the front camera can be used to control your phone or tablet. Switches can be used to select items, scroll, enter text, and more “according to the Switch Access FAQ.

“Switch Access can be useful if you are unable to interact directly with your device,” it continues.

According to IANS, the app scans the items on the users’ screens and highlights each one until they make a choice.

Users can select from two types of switches: physical switches and camera switches.

Physical switches include USB or Bluetooth switches, such as buttons or keyboards, and on-device switches, such as volume buttons, whereas camera switches include facial gestures such as opening your mouth, smiling or raising your brows, looking left, right, or up, as stated on the apps about page.

To use the app, users must first open their device’s Settings app, then tap Accessibility, then Switch Access.

Meanwhile, Google announced that it is bringing new features to smartphones that have not got operating system (OS) updates in years.

The company is releasing a tool called the “Extension Software Developer Kit” (Extensive SDK), which will allow developers to use features such as Android 13’s new photo picker in applications running on some Android 11 and 12 versions.