Introduction
The RTT and TTY options on iPhone enable text-based calling. They are vital for many people who rely on accessible communication. If you do not use them, the toggles can cause prompts, unusual icons, or call behavior that seems odd. You may want a clean, predictable voice call experience. You can achieve that in a minute by switching off Software RTT and Hardware TTY.
This guide shows how to turn tty off on iphone across iOS 18 and iOS 17. You get a fast path to the setting, detailed steps, and fixes for missing menus. You also learn how to stop the feature from turning itself back on. Carrier notes cover why the menu may look different on Verizon, AT&T, and T‑Mobile. Accessibility tips help you decide what to keep on.
We start with the quick answer, then walk through exact steps for each iOS version. If the menu does not appear, you will find clear troubleshooting. If the toggle flips itself back on, use the checklist to stop it. Finally, confirm your changes and learn when to leave RTT or TTY enabled.
Quick Answer: Where to Turn Off TTY or RTT on iPhone
The RTT or TTY switch lives in Accessibility on recent iOS versions. Here is the fastest path:
- Open Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Tap RTT or TTY
- Turn off Software RTT
- Turn off Hardware TTY
- Turn off Answer All Calls as RTT if you see it
- Optional: turn off Send Immediately so text does not send mid-typing
If you use dual SIM or eSIM, you may see per-line controls. Apply the changes for each active line. Place a short test call when you finish. You should not see an RTT prompt. If the menu is missing or grayed out, install iOS and carrier updates, then restart your iPhone. Next, follow the step-by-step sections for iOS 18 and iOS 17.
Turn Off TTY or RTT on iOS 18 (Step-by-Step)
iOS 18 keeps RTT and TTY under Accessibility. The layout is clean, but some carriers add extra toggles. Follow these steps:
1) Open Settings
2) Tap Accessibility
3) Scroll to the Hearing section
4) Tap RTT or TTY
5) Toggle off Software RTT
6) Toggle off Hardware TTY
7) Toggle off Answer All Calls as RTT if present
8) Turn off Send Immediately if you prefer to compose first
9) If you see per-line options, repeat the toggles for each line on the device
10) Return to the previous screen to store your selection
Help the change stick with these tips:
– Remove the Accessibility Shortcut. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and ensure RTT or TTY is not selected. A side button triple click can switch it on without you noticing.
– Check the Shortcuts app. Review automations tied to Phone, Bluetooth, CarPlay, or location. Remove any action that toggles RTT.
– Install carrier updates. Go to Settings > General > About and accept the prompt.
– Restart the iPhone after updates and changes.
Once done, make a brief call to a trusted contact or voicemail. The call screen should look normal. You should not see an RTT overlay or a special keyboard. Next, apply similar steps on iOS 17 if you have not upgraded.
Turn Off TTY or RTT on iOS 17 (Step-by-Step)
The process on iOS 17 looks very similar, but labels can differ a bit depending on your carrier. Use this sequence:
1) Open Settings
2) Tap Accessibility
3) Tap RTT or TTY in the Hearing section
4) Turn off Software RTT
5) Turn off Hardware TTY
6) Turn off Answer All Calls as RTT if you see it
7) Turn off Send Immediately to avoid partial messages
8) If you have two lines, disable RTT or TTY for both
Make sure these changes remain off:
– Remove RTT or TTY from the Accessibility Shortcut menu
– Review the Shortcuts app for call-related automations
– Update carrier settings from Settings > General > About when prompted
– Restart the iPhone to finalize changes
After you turn off the toggles, place a test call. No RTT prompt should appear. If your iPhone shows different screens or puts the option elsewhere, you may have a legacy menu. Let us check those next.
Find the Legacy TTY Toggle on Older Menus
Some devices on recent carriers still show a legacy TTY switch under Phone. You might see both a Phone switch and Accessibility options. If you spot a TTY toggle in Settings > Phone, turn it off there. Then open Settings > Accessibility > RTT or TTY and confirm both Software RTT and Hardware TTY are also off.
Try these quick checks:
– Use the Settings search. Pull down in the Settings app and type rtt or tty to jump to the exact menu
– If both Phone and Accessibility menus include TTY controls, keep everything off for consistency
– For dual SIM or eSIM, switch each line off for RTT and TTY and then restart the iPhone
If your iPhone does not show the menus at all, the carrier profile or device state may hide them. The next section focuses on restoring missing toggles.
If You Do Not See RTT or TTY: Missing Toggle Fixes
A missing RTT or TTY menu usually points to a simple update or a carrier profile issue. Work through these steps in order:
- Update iOS: Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available updates
- Update carrier settings: Settings > General > About. If a prompt appears, install the update
- Restart your iPhone to refresh cellular services and the Phone app
- Reseat or re-add your SIM. For a physical SIM, remove and reinsert. For eSIM, re-add only if your carrier makes it easy to restore
- Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears cellular, Wi‑Fi, and VPN. Save Wi‑Fi passwords first
- Check MDM or corporate profiles: a managed device can enforce RTT or TTY. Ask IT to review restrictions
- Confirm region and plan rules: certain prepaid or enterprise plans hide the toggle. Contact the carrier to verify if you can control RTT
- Repeat a Settings search for rtt or tty after updates
If none of these steps reveal the menu, contact both Apple Support and your carrier. Ask whether RTT is provisioned by default or locked on your line. If it is forced, request an opt out if you do not require it.
TTY Keeps Turning Back On: How to Stop It
If RTT or TTY returns after you disable it, an automation, accessory, or profile likely flips the switch. Use this checklist to stop it for good:
- Accessibility Shortcut: Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. Deselect RTT or TTY. A triple click of the side button can enable it by mistake
- Shortcuts automations: open Shortcuts > Automation. Remove actions that adjust call settings when you connect to a car, open Phone, or arrive at a place
- Hearing devices: if you use Made for iPhone hearing aids or other hearing accessories, review their call preferences. Some profiles expect real time text features
- Third party dialers or call apps: uninstall or disable apps that change call screens or set alternate call flows
- Bluetooth car or headset: delete and re-pair the car or headset. Some Bluetooth profiles can trigger call routing changes
- Focus modes and profiles: check Focus automations that may run Shortcuts related to calling or accessibility
- Dual SIM or eSIM: disable RTT and TTY on both lines. Then toggle lines off and on from Cellular settings and retest
- Network reset: as a last resort, use Reset Network Settings and then set up Wi‑Fi and VPN again
If RTT still flips back on, call your carrier and ask if the line auto-enables RTT for accessibility. Request removal of that provisioning if you do not use it. Once the setting is stable, run a quick confirmation.
Confirm TTY Is Fully Off: Status Icons and Test Calls
Validation takes less than a minute. Check these points:
- Status bar during a live call: no RTT or TTY icon should appear
- Call screen: no RTT prompt, overlay, or special keyboard should pop up
- Settings state: Settings > Accessibility > RTT or TTY should show Software RTT and Hardware TTY both off
- Per line state: for dual SIM or eSIM, confirm each line shows RTT and TTY off
- Voicemail test: call your voicemail to verify normal call flow and audio
- Optional Wi‑Fi Calling check: toggle Wi‑Fi Calling off and on, then retry a call if behavior seems odd
If the icon appears or a prompt returns, repeat the earlier steps and remove the Accessibility Shortcut entry. Persistent issues after that suggest a carrier profile. Contact support for a line reprovision.
Carrier Notes: Verizon, AT&T, and T‑Mobile Behavior
Carriers shape how RTT and TTY appear. Labels, per line menus, or missing options can vary.
- Verizon: many plans display per line RTT controls. A fresh carrier settings update often restores missing menus or corrects labels
- AT&T: certain prepaid or business plans hide the toggle or set a default. Ask support to confirm whether you can control it and request a change if needed
- T‑Mobile: eSIM moves can briefly desync settings. Installing carrier updates and restarting usually restores the RTT or TTY menu
General tips:
– Keep iOS and carrier settings current to avoid menu glitches
– After switching plans, SIMs, or eSIMs, recheck RTT and TTY for each line
– Wi‑Fi Calling and Visual Voicemail do not require RTT or TTY. If call behavior changes, toggle Wi‑Fi Calling off and back on, then retest
If a carrier confirms forced RTT for accessibility, ask to disable that provision. Once the change posts to your line, power cycle the phone and confirm the toggles stay off.
Accessibility Considerations: When Not to Disable RTT or TTY
RTT and TTY exist to make calls accessible. If you or your contacts rely on text-based calls, leave these features on. RTT sends text as you type, which makes conversations flow. TTY supports legacy teletype options that some services still use.
Before you switch them off, think through your needs:
– If you want fewer pop ups but still need occasional RTT, turn off Answer All Calls as RTT and keep Software RTT available
– If you use hearing devices, test call quality with and without RTT enabled to see what works best
– Consider alternatives such as Live Captions, Type to Siri, and Messages for follow ups when voice is not ideal
– Save a quick note about where the toggles live so you can re-enable them fast if needed
If you later decide you need RTT, turn it back on from Settings > Accessibility > RTT or TTY in seconds. If everything looks good and you prefer a clean voice experience, wrap up with the final checks below.
Conclusion
You can turn tty off on iphone by opening Settings, tapping Accessibility, and switching off Software RTT and Hardware TTY. On iOS 18 and iOS 17, the steps are almost identical. If the menu is missing, install iOS and carrier updates, restart the phone, and search Settings for rtt or tty. If the toggles refuse to stick, remove the Accessibility Shortcut entry, review automations, and reset network settings as a last step.
Carriers can alter labels or hide controls based on plan and provisioning. If you face a forced setting, ask support to remove it from your line. Always consider accessibility needs before disabling these tools. When you do not rely on text-based calling, these steps restore a simple, dependable voice call experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TTY different from RTT on iPhone?
Yes. TTY is a legacy teletype method that sends text in blocks, while RTT sends text as you type. iPhone groups them in the same menu. If you do not need text-based calling, turn both off for standard voice calls.
Will turning off TTY or RTT affect emergency calling?
No. Disabling RTT or TTY does not block voice calls to emergency numbers. If you rely on text-based calling, keep RTT enabled or use your region’s text-to-911 option where available.
Why do I not see the RTT or TTY option on my iPhone?
Your iPhone may need iOS or carrier settings updates, or your plan may hide the toggle. Update iOS, accept carrier updates, restart, and search Settings for rtt. If it is still missing, contact Apple and your carrier.