# Switch Access

> Control your device with switches or the front camera.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.accessibility.switchaccess](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.accessibility.switchaccess)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.google.android.accessibility.switchaccess`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Google LLC
- **Category:** TOOLS
- **Downloads:** 2,765,058,914
- **Rating:** 3.77 / 5 (180,110 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.17.0.892789133
- **Last updated:** 2026-06-16
- **First published:** 2023-01-06
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 13 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.accessibility.switchaccess)
- **Website:** [http://www.google.com/accessibility](http://www.google.com/accessibility)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://www.google.com/policies/privacy](http://www.google.com/policies/privacy)

## Description

**Switch Access** enables users to control their Android phones or tablets using switches or the device's front camera. Ideal for individuals who find direct touchscreen interactions challenging, this accessibility tool supports physical switches such as USB or Bluetooth buttons and on-device volume buttons, as well as camera-based switches using facial gestures like smiling, mouth movements, or eye direction.

The extension offers various scanning methods (linear, row-column, point scanning, and group selection) to navigate screen items easily. Users can interact with menus to perform actions like selecting, scrolling, copying, or pasting. It also supports customizable gestures and shortcuts to streamline complex actions into a single switch press, enhancing device usability for people with mobility impairments.

## Rankings

- #64 — Overall
- #3 — switch
- #7 — free access
- #8 — disable
- #13 — include
- #18 — example

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NOTIFICATION_POLICY`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADVERTISE`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.GET_PACKAGE_SIZE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `com.google.android.marvin.talkback.permission.ACCESS_AAS_SWITCH_ACCESS_MIGRATION`
- `com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES`

## Review summary

Overall, reviews are mixed. While a minority express positive sentiment ('love it', 'excellent'), a larger set raise serious privacy and security concerns (microphone/camera access, unauthorized monitoring, potential spyware) and report the app cannot be uninstalled or is preinstalled. Many users also say it doesn’t work reliably. Dominant themes are security fears and installation/uninstall issues rather than clear feature benefits.

### Pros

- Positive user sentiment (examples include 'love it', 'like it', 'Nice', 'Excellent', 'happy with this application').
- Some reviewers report the app is 'good' or 'all good' and appears to work for them.
- A few reviews mention the app is at least somewhat functional ('nearly works').

### Cons

- Serious privacy/security concerns: reports of mic/camera being constantly on, unauthorized access, and potential mirroring/spying.
- Uninstallability/forced presence: users report it cannot be uninstalled or appears to be preinstalled on the device.
- Reliability issues: multiple reviews say 'don't work' or are not satisfied, indicating inconsistent performance.
- Perceived as unsafe or suspicious: some users view the app as spyware or unsafe due to data access and lack of transparency.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.accessibility.switchaccess)