How to remove the feature for the blind on Xiaomi: disable TalkBack and Voice Assistant

The feature for people with visual impairments on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) is called TalkBack or Voice Assistant, which is designed to voice all actions on the screen, but often activates accidentally — for example, when you repeatedly press the power button or through gestures. If your phone starts “talking” all commands, reading messages and describing each tap, do not panic: you can turn off this mode in a few steps.

Complicating the problem is that with TalkBack enabled, standard gestures and navigation work differently: one touch highlights the element, and a double tap activates it. This confuses users who are not familiar with the function. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to turn off the blind mode, from basic to alternative (for example, through ADB or Safe Mode), and explain why the function can turn on on itself and how to avoid it.

What is TalkBack and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

TalkBack is a Google accessibility service integrated into MIUI firmware, which converts the visual interface into speech cues, helping visually impaired users interact with their smartphone.

• 🔊 Voice over all elements on the screen (icons, buttons, text).
• 👆 Altered navigation: one touch highlights the object, double touch activates.
• 🔄 Gestures to control (for example, holding two fingers up/down to scroll).
• 🛠️ Integration with other accessibility features (text enlargement, high contrast).

Xiaomi also has its own Voice Assistant, which duplicates some of TalkBack’s features, but works differently, with TalkBack being Google’s system service, while Voice Assistant is Xiaomi’s development, which can conflict with other apps.

It's useful for people with disabilities, but for ordinary users, activation is often a surprise.

• 📱 Pressing the power button multiple times (on some models, this is a gesture to call TalkBack).
• 🤏 Accidental clamping of two fingers on the screen (gust for activation).
• 👶 Children or pets interacting with the phone.
• 🔧 Resetting settings to factory (the function can be turned on by default).

Method 1: Disable TalkBack via settings (if the phone responds to touch)

If the screen is touch-responsive, but it's in "blind mode," follow this instruction, and the key is to remember the changed navigation logic: one touch highlights the element, a double touch presses it.

1. Unlock your phone (if the screen is locked, swipe two fingers up – this is a gesture to unlock in TalkBack).
2. One tap on the Settings icon. Wait 1-2 seconds, the item will be framed.
3. Double tap the icon to open the settings.
4. In the settings menu, one tap on "Special Features"** (or Additional Features → Special Features on older versions of MIUI) wait for the highlight, then double tap to log in.

If the phone is still "talking" after the shutdown, check if Xiaomi's Voice Assistant is active.

1. In the same special features settings, find the option “Voice Assistant” or “Voice Assistant”.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro) may need to reboot after TalkBack is disabled.If the screen is not responsive to touch, use method 2 or 3.

Method 2: Disable via Quick Settings (if the screen is unresponsive)

If TalkBack is blocking the screen from working properly, try turning it off via the Quick Settings Panel. This method works on MIUI 12-14:

1. Swipe two fingers from the bottom up the screen (gesture to call the notification panel in TalkBack mode).
2. One tap on the Settings icon in the top right corner. Wait for the highlight.
3. Double tap on the icon to open the advanced settings.
4. Find the TalkBack tiles (usually illuminated) and one touch on it.
5. Double touch will shut down the function.

If TalkBack tile is not in the quick settings, add it:

1. One touch on the Edit icon** (pencil) in the notification panel.
2. Find TalkBack** in the list of inactive tiles, drag it to the active area (use one touch + hold for drag and drop, then move your finger).
3. Double touch on the tile after adding.

⚠️ Attention: POCO M3 redmi 9A The gesture for the notification panel may conflict with other functions. If the screen is not responding, try connecting. USB-mouse-wise OTG-Adapter – the cursor is easier to manage settings.

Method 3: Disconnecting through Safe Mode (if the phone is getting stuck)

If TalkBack has caused a freeze or your phone doesn't respond to touch, start your device in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party applications, including accessibility services.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on the “Switch off” (or “Switch off power”) for 3-5 seconds.

If the power button does not respond:

• 🔋 Connect the charger and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds for a forced reboot.
• 🔌 On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) To enter safe mode, you need to hold the power button + volume-up.

💡

If TalkBack is still active in Safe Mode, it’s a problem with system settings. Try resetting special features through Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting availability settings.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can disable TalkBack via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and enabled USB debugging.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB).
2. On your phone, turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on MIUI Version.** Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging.**
3. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (use the original cable).
4. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type: adb devices If the device appears in the list, do: adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.google.android.marvin.talkback/com.google.android.marvin.talkback.TalkBackService:com.xiaomi.accessibility/com.xiaomi.accessibility.talkback.TalkBackService Disable all services: adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services ""
5. Reboot the phone.

If TalkBack is still active after completing commands, check the status of the service:

adb shell settings get secure enabled_accessibility_services

If the output is not empty, repeat the disconnect command.

Method 5: Reset availability settings (extreme case)

If none of these methods worked, reset the special features settings, and it won't delete your data, but it will return all the availability parameters to the factory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select “Resetting availability settings”**.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).
4. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All features for people with disabilities (TalkBack, font enlargement, high contrast) will be disabled.
• 📱 Navigation and gestures will return to standard.
• ⚠️ Screen settings (font size, animation) will also reset.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ Resetting availability settings may require confirmation via Mi Account.Make sure you remember the username and password from your Xiaomi account.

Why TalkBack is on its own and how to prevent it

If the blind function is activated without your involvement, the reasons may be as follows:

To permanently block accidental switching on:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → TalkBack → Settings.
2. Turn off the Quick Turn on (or Gestures) option.

💡

If TalkBack is turned on after a reboot, check if there is a parental control app on the phone (such as Google Family Link or Xiaomi Child Space).

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling the feature for the blind on Xiaomi