apple users will be able to control their iPhones with just their minds

Synchron’s BCI Brings Mind-Controlled Access to Apple Devices

Marking a major leap in neurotechnology and accessibility, Synchron is the first company to achieve native integration between a brain-computer interface (BCI) and Apple devices, enabling people to control iPhones, iPads, and Apple Vision Pro with nothing but their thoughts. The breakthrough pairs Synchron’s implantable Stentrode™ system with the newly announced BCI Human Interface Device (HID) protocol by Apple, which officially recognizes brain signals as a native input category alongside touch, voice, and typing. ‘This marks a defining moment for human-device interaction. BCI is more than an accessibility tool, it’s a next-generation interface layer,’ shares Dr. Tom Oxley, CEO and co-founder of Synchron. ‘With BCI recognized as a native input for Apple devices, there are new possibilities for people living with paralysis and beyond.’

all images courtesy of Synchron

brain-computer interface unlocks digital autonomy

This direct connection Synchron allows between mind and machine, creating hands-free, voice-free access to Apple’s ecosystem for people living with motor impairments such as ALS, stroke, or spinal cord injury. Implantable brain-computer interface company Synchron’s BCI works with built-in accessibility features like Switch Control, translating neural activity into real-time interaction with screens, apps, and interfaces. Users can send messages, browse content, or even create art simply by thinking.

Unlike traditional assistive tech that mimics physical inputs, Synchron’s BCI enables bidirectional communication with devices, allowing for contextual feedback based on UI layouts and screen content. This closed-loop system means the more the user engages, the smarter and more intuitive the interface becomes.

Synchron’s implantable Stentrode™ system pairs with Apple’s BCI Human Interface Device (HID) protocol

Neural data powers next-gen AI

At NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference, Synchron also unveiled Chiral™, its foundation model of human cognition — trained directly on neural data, marking the dawn of Cognitive AI. Powered by NVIDIA Holoscan and Omniverse platforms, Chiral™ is designed to evolve into a self-improving model of human intention, enabling more adaptive and intuitive interactions. In a live demo, Synchron showed how users can control smart environments through thought alone, with Apple Vision Pro tracking eye movement and decoding intention in real time. The collaboration with NVIDIA represents a leap toward training AI not just on text or images, but on the brain itself.

Clinical trials empower users to regain communication

For many participants in Synchron’s clinical trials, the ability to independently use their Apple devices represents a return to communication, creativity, and digital autonomy. ‘When we ask our clinical trial participants what they want to do, it’s always about communication and creativity,’ notes Chief Commercial Officer at Synchron, Kurt Haggstrom. ‘And to most people, that means using their Apple devices. For Apple to recognize that need and respond to it demonstrates how much they value accessibility for their users. It has been an honor to meet with their teams and provide feedback to help make BCI HID a reality.’ Controlled trials with BCI HID integration are expected to roll out later this year, with native support across iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS accelerating Synchron’s path to commercial use.

Synchron’s BCI enables bidirectional communication with devices