How to permanently disable TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but its owners often face the unexpected inclusion of the TalkBack function. This voice assistant for the visually impaired can significantly complicate the use of the phone: double taps, loud prompts and altered navigation are annoying if the function was activated accidentally. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to disable TalkBack – from standard to emergency, when the smartphone “hangs” in the mode for the blind.

The Redmi Note 7 is that the path to customizations for special features may be different on different versions of MIUI (10, 11, 12+), and if you activate TalkBack via a keyboard combination or gesture, a normal shutdown in the menu may not work. We tested all methods on the firmwares MIUI 10.3.2.0 (Android 9) and MIUI 12.5.3.0 (Android 11) - and are ready to share working solutions.

Why does TalkBack turn on on its own?

TalkBack (called Screen Narrator in some versions of MIUI) is usually activated in three cases:

• 🎯 Accidental tap: triple touch of the screen or two fingers (if special features gestures are enabled).
• 🔄 Update MIUI: After installing a new firmware, some settings are reset, and TalkBack can be turned on automatically.
• 🛠️ Factory reset: If you were restoring your phone from a backup where the feature was active.

TalkBack can also start when you connect a headset or an external device (such as Mi Band) if the special features settings activate the option “Automatic Start When Connecting Accessories.” On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 10, this option is hidden in the developer menu and can work even after rebooting.

⚠️ Warning: If TalkBack is turned on after a phone drops or moisture hits, do not try to turn it off software.This may be a sign of damage to the sensor or motherboard - contact the service center.

Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings

If you can use your phone freely (even with voice prompts), the easiest way to do this is to turn off TalkBack via the menu:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (to the MIUI 12+ This may be called Universal Access).
3. Select TalkBack (or Screencaster).
4. Move the slider to the off position.
5. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the window that appears.

If TalkBack is activated again after that, check:

• 🔍 Availability of updates MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).
• 📱 Keyboards: Go to Settings → Special facilities → Keyboard shortcuts and disable TalkBack launch via triple press.

Battery charge >30%|All Bluetooth devices are disabled|Updates checked MIUI|Backup of important data is made-->

Method 2: Disconnecting by gestures (if the screen is unresponsive)

If TalkBack blocks normal touches, use special gestures to navigate:

1. Scroll down/up: swipe your two fingers up or down on the screen to move between elements.
2. Select an element: Twice touch the screen with one finger (not quickly, but with a pause between touches).
3. Backwards: Swipe two fingers from right to left around the edge of the screen.

To turn off TalkBack gestures:

1. Slide two fingers down to the Settings section and select it with double tap.
2. Similarly, find special opportunities. → TalkBack.
3. Double-touch the slider, then confirm the disconnect.

If the gestures don’t work, try an alternative method:

• 🔑 Press the buttons Volume up + 5 seconds of power will trigger a reboot menu.
• 🔄 Double tap select Reboot (not reset!). After activation, TalkBack may disable.

Through settings |Gesters |Reboot |Reset to factory |In another way-->

Method 3: Resetting special features settings

If TalkBack is turned on again, reset the special features settings to the factory:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Resetting Settings.
3. Confirm the action.

This will remove all user accessibility settings, including:

• 🔊 Keyboard shortcuts for TalkBack.
• 👁️ Screen enlargement settings.
• 🎧 Sound parameters for hearing impaired.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 7 firmwares also reset the special features settings to zero out Google Assistant and voice control.

Method 4: Disconnecting via Safe Mode

If TalkBack doesn’t turn off due to a failure in third-party applications (such as launchers or themes), launch your phone in Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 7.
2. Press the Power button before the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, immediately press and hold the Volume button down until the phone boots.
4. In the lower left corner of the screen will appear the inscription Safe Mode.

In safe mode:

• 🛡️ Open the Settings. → Special features and disable TalkBack.
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

If the problem disappears, it's a third-party application that caused it, delete the newly installed programs or update them.

💡

If after leaving Safe Mode, TalkBack is turned on again, check the applications with administrator rights in Settings → Applications → Rights → Device administrators.

Method 5: Complete factory reset (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, do a hard reset.This will delete all data from the phone, so first:

• 📲 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔐 Remember your Mi Account (linked email and password).
• 📌 Save it. IMEI phone number (dial *#06#).

Resetting instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions – Factory Reset).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 7 with a locked bootloader, a reset via Recovery may require you to enter a password from Mi Account. If you don't remember it, use the official Mi Unlock Tool unlock tool.

Additional advice and prevention

To avoid re-enabled TalkBack:

• 🔧 Turn off keyboard shortcuts: Settings → Special facilities → Keyboard combinations → Remove the box opposite TalkBack.
• 📱 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) where there are no gestures for special features.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI: In new versions, bugs with spontaneous inclusion of functions are corrected.

If you often encounter special features issues, consider turning off all related services via ADB (requires a computer and enabled USB debugging).

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.marvin.talkback

However, this method is only suitable for advanced users, as it can disrupt other system functions.

💡

On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12+, disabling TalkBack via ADB may require pre-unlocking the bootloader.

FAQ: Frequent questions about TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7