How to Turn Off TalkBack on Android – Stop Your Phone from Talking

Introduction

If your Android phone suddenly starts talking and highlighting everything on screen, chances are TalkBack is enabled. It’s an accessibility feature for visually impaired users, but if turned on accidentally, it can confuse anyone unfamiliar with it.

Navigating your device becomes harder, and you may not know how to disable it. This guide will help you turn off TalkBack on any Android phone, even if you can’t use the screen properly.

We’ll also explain what TalkBack is, why it turns on by itself, and how to permanently disable it if needed.

 

What is TalkBack on Android?

TalkBack is a screen reader built into Android phones for visually impaired users. It reads aloud text, buttons, icons, and actions, allowing users to use the phone without seeing the screen.

Key features:

Voice feedback for every action

Two-finger scrolling

Double-tap to select

Spoken descriptions of items

 

Why Your Android Phone Starts Talking (TalkBack Enabled)

There are a few reasons this might happen:

Accidental activation through shortcut (like holding both volume buttons)

Accessibility settings changed by mistake

Software update enabled it by default

Kids or others turned it on while exploring

 

How to Turn Off TalkBack on Android (Standard Method)

 

Method 1: From Settings (If You Can Navigate)

If you can use the screen normally (without issues):

1. Open Settings

2. Go to Accessibility

3. Tap TalkBack

4. Toggle it OFF

5. Confirm by tapping Stop

Done! Your device will stop talking and return to normal.

 

How to Turn Off TalkBack If Screen Is Hard to Use

When TalkBack is on, controls work differently:

Use two fingers to swipe

Tap once to select

Tap twice to activate

 

Method 2: Using Two-Finger Navigation

1. Unlock your phone (use PIN/pattern if needed)

2. Swipe down with two fingers to open Quick Settings

3. Tap Settings once to highlight → Tap twice to open

4. Navigate to:

Accessibility > TalkBack

5. Tap TalkBack toggle once → Tap twice to turn it off

 

Method 3: Turn Off TalkBack Using Volume Button Shortcut

Most Android phones allow toggling TalkBack using both Volume buttons.

How to do it:

1. Press and hold both Volume Up + Volume Down buttons together

2. Hold for 3 seconds

3. You’ll hear: "TalkBack off"

 

That’s it!

Note: If this shortcut doesn’t work, it may not be enabled on your phone.

 

Enable or Disable TalkBack Shortcut Permanently

Go to:

Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings > TalkBack Shortcut

From here, you can:

Turn shortcut ON or OFF

Choose how to activate it (volume buttons or gestures)

 

How to Disable TalkBack on Popular Android Brands

 

Samsung (One UI):

Settings → Accessibility → Screen Reader → TalkBack → OFF

 

Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO (MIUI):

Settings → Additional Settings → Accessibility → Vision → TalkBack → OFF

 

Realme / OPPO / Vivo:

Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack → OFF

Motorola / Nokia / Stock Android:

Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack → OFF

 

How to Turn Off TalkBack Without Touching the Screen (Using Voice)

If your screen is damaged or hard to use:

1. Connect your phone to a PC via USB

2. Enable ADB (Android Debug Bridge) if previously activated

3. Run this command:

adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services ''

adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 0

 

Requires developer tools and USB debugging.

 

How to Prevent TalkBack from Enabling Again

To avoid accidental activation:

Disable shortcut under Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Shortcut

Set up Screen Pinning for kids

Avoid accidental long press on volume keys

 

Real User Case Examples

 

Case 1: Samsung Galaxy A24

TalkBack turned on after software update.

Solution: Used volume buttons shortcut to disable it.

 

Case 2: Redmi Note 12

User couldn’t access screen normally.

Solution: Used two-finger swipe and double-tap to navigate settings and turn off TalkBack.

 

Case 3: Phone with broken touch screen

Solution: Used USB + ADB method via PC to disable TalkBack.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

What is the shortcut to disable TalkBack?

Hold Volume Up + Down buttons together for 3 seconds. Works on most Android phones.

 

I can't navigate at all—how to disable TalkBack?

Try:

Volume shortcut

Ask someone to help use two-finger gestures

Use OTG mouse (USB mouse connected to phone)

 

Will disabling TalkBack harm my phone?

No. It’s just an accessibility feature. Turning it off has no negative effect.

 

TalkBack keeps turning on—how to stop it?

Disable the TalkBack shortcut:

> Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Shortcut > Off

 

Conclusion

TalkBack is a great feature for those who need it—but if enabled accidentally, it can be confusing. Thankfully, turning it off is easy once you know how to navigate your phone properly.

Whether you’re using a Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, or any other Android device, this guide covers every method to turn off TalkBack and prevent it from turning on again.

Follow the steps above and your phone will stop talking—and go back to normal—within minutes.

 

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