Apple Working on Brain-Controlled iPhone With Synchron [Report]

Apple is diving into brain-computer interfaces, teaming up with Synchron to pioneer technology that lets users control iPhones and other devices with their thoughts, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This move aims to enhance accessibility for those with severe physical limitations.

The technology targets individuals with conditions like spinal cord injuries or ALS, who cannot use their hands. Apple is collaborating with Synchron, a company that produces a stent-like implant called the Stentrode. This device, inserted in a vein on the brain's motor cortex, has 16 electrodes that capture brain signals and translate them into actions like selecting icons on a screen. The system integrates with Apple's switch control feature, which supports alternative input methods.

Mark Jackson, an ALS patient and early tester, has used the Stentrode to control his iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro headset. He experienced a virtual reality simulation of standing on a Swiss Alps mountain, despite being unable to travel from his Pittsburgh home. Jackson noted the technology's early stage, explaining that navigation is slower than traditional inputs since it cannot yet replicate mouse or touchscreen interactions.


Apple's work builds on its 2014 standard for Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, now widely adopted. The company is developing a new standard for brain-computer interfaces, set for release later this year, to allow developers to create apps tailored for these implants. Synchron's CEO, Tom Oxley, said current systems mimic mouse inputs, but a dedicated standard could unlock more capabilities.

Synchron has implanted its device in 10 patients since 2019. For comparison, Neuralink's N1 implant, with over 1,000 electrodes embedded in the brain, captures more data and has enabled faster cursor control. Morgan Stanley estimates 150,000 U.S. individuals with severe upper-limb impairments could benefit from such devices, with commercial approval possibly by 2030.

This initiative is part of Apple's broader push to expand accessibility across its ecosystem. Notably, Apple has just unveiled a slew of new accessibility features that will be available to customers later this year, including a new Magnifier app for Mac, Braille Access, Accessibility Reader, Live Listen, Background Sounds, Personal Voice, Vehicle Motion Cues, and more. You can learn more about those new features here.

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