How to turn on the blind on Xiaomi Android smartphones: a complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with powerful tools for people with visual disabilities, but many users do not even suspect their existence. The Blind Mode (or TalkBack) is not just a font augmentation, but a full-fledged ecosystem that transforms smartphone interaction through voice prompts, tactile feedback, and adaptive gestures. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic activation of the function, but also the finer settings that will make using Redmi, POCO or Mi as comfortable as possible.

It's important to understand that turning on this mode changes the logic of the device's management, so instead of using the usual taps, you'll have to learn new gestures, and the system will voice every action you take, from opening the app to scrolling the screen. If you are setting up a phone for a relative or friend with vision problems, prepare in advance for the fact that the first 10-15 It's going to take a few minutes to adapt, and to speed things up, we've put together proven life hacks and hidden chips. MIUI, which are not even written in official documents.

What is Xiaomi’s Blind Mode and How Does It Work?

TalkBack is a standard service from Google, integrated into the MIUI, It converts the visual interface into audio and tactile signals, and when it's activated, it starts to sound:

• 📱 Interface elements (buttons, icons, text fields)
• 🔊 User actions (clicks, swipes, changes in settings)
• ⚠️ Notifications (notifications, errors, warnings)
• 📝 Text content (messages, articles, mail)

The feature of the implementation on Xiaomi is an additional layer of optimization for the branded shell. MIUI 14 added gesture support for quick switching between applications, and HyperOS (for new models) has an improved speech synthesizer with natural intonation. 10A, POCO M5) There may be a delay due to a weak processor.

What does it look like in practice? Imagine you swipe across the screen and the phone calls each app, "WhatsApp, double tap to open." Or reads aloud an incoming message, "New text from Mom: Buy bread, back at 18:00." For blind users, it's the only way to fully use a smartphone, and for the visually impaired, it's the ability to reduce eye strain.

Preparation of the smartphone before switching on the mode

Before you activate TalkBack, follow a few critical steps to avoid typical problems, such as when a user turns on the mode but can’t turn it off due to lack of gestures.

Make sure your smartphone is at least 50 times charged%|Connect your headphones (recommended for the first run)|Close all confidential applications (banks, social networks)|Remember the gesture to turn off the mode (double touch with two fingers)|Check for updates MIUI (Settings → The phone)-->

Pay special attention to software updates. MIUI (below 12.5), the TalkBack interface may not work smoothly, such as not sounding the sweaters in the settings or "forgetting" user gestures:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update
2. Click Check for Updates
3. If a new version is available, install it (preferably via Wi-Fi)

We also recommend that you connect Bluetooth headphones or headset. First, it will improve the sound quality (switches can distort speech). Second, in public areas, using headphones is more comfortable for others. Xiaomi models with support for Mi TrueWireless (for example, Buds 4 Pro) available transparent mode, which allows you to hear ambient sounds in parallel with the voice assistant.

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If you’re setting up a phone for another person, record a video with the screen the first time TalkBack is turned on.This will help explain basic gestures quickly if the user forgets them.

Step-by-step: how to turn TalkBack on Xiaomi

There are three official ways to activate the Blind Mode, and we recommend using the first one, through standard settings, as it is the most reliable and works on all models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Mi 13.

Method 1: Through the settings menu

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon)
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (on some models – Additional) → Special opportunities)
3. Select TalkBack (or Screencaster in older versions) MIUI)
4. Activate the switch at the top of the screen
5. In the window that appears, press OK to confirm

Method 2: Through the Quick Settings Panel

If the Quick Settings Panel is already configured:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the panel
2. Find the TalkBack icon (if it isn’t, click Edit and add)
3. Touch the icon once – the mode will turn on

Method 3: Google Voice Assistant

Suitable for models with Google Assistant preinstalled:

1. Activate the assistant with the “OK, Google” voice command or hold the Home button
2. Say, "Put TalkBack on."
3. Confirm the action with a voice or touch

Once activated, you'll hear a voice greeting and basic gesture instructions. The first 30 seconds after you turn on TalkBack ignores standard taps -- use double tapping with one finger to select elements.

Basic gestures and control in TalkBack mode

The hardest part is learning a new sign system, and the usual swipes and taps don't work here, instead of using combinations of touches and holdouts, and here's a table of basic commands that you'll need from the first minute.

To disable TalkBack, use a combination of double touch and two fingers for 3 seconds. MIUI, But on some models (e.g. Redmi). 9A) You may need to confirm your password.

Tips for beginners: Enable gesture training in TalkBack settings (Settings section) → The system will offer an interactive tutorial where you can practice on a virtual screen without the risk of random action.

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Remember the main principle: TalkBack first Identifies an item (with a single touch) and then Activates it (with a double touch). = activation.

Additional settings for maximum comfort

TalkBack's basic features are often not enough to be fully usable, MIUI It offers a deep customization of the mode. Let's look at the key options that you should configure right away:

1. Speed and tone of voice

Google’s standard Text-to-Speech synthesizer is used by default, but it can be replaced with a more natural one:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → TalkBack → Settings → Speech
2. Select Voice and download the Google package TTS (unless)
3. Adjust speech speed (recommended 0.8-1.0) and pitch height

2. Tactile feedback

For users with residual vision, it is useful to include vibration when highlighting elements:

• 🔄 Turn on Vibration when getting stuck in TalkBack settings
• 🎚️ Adjust the intensity in the settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration.

3. Contextual menus

Make it easier to access frequently used functions:

• ⚙️ Activate Local Context Menu (allows you to quickly copy text or share links)
• 📋 Set up Gestures for a global context menu (e.g. swipe up) + left-hand)

HyperOS models have a unique feature called "Smart Voice" that automatically lowers the volume of voice in quiet rooms and increases it in noisy rooms.

Settings → Special features → TalkBack → Settings → Adaptive sound

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If you use your browser frequently, turn on the option “Vote Links” in TalkBack’s settings, which will help distinguish banner ads from useful content by description (e.g., “Link: Buy Now” vs “Link: Read the full article”).

Solving Typical Problems and Errors

Even after you set it up properly, users are still experiencing bugs, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If the screen turns black after TalkBack is turned on, but the voice prompts are working, don't panic! This is normal behavior: the mode turns off the visual interface to save charge. To return the picture, make a three-finger gesture.

Problem 1: TalkBack doesn't voice the keyboard

Decision:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → TalkBack → Settings
2. Find the keyboard section and activate voice input
3. For Gboard, additionally enable Voice input in the keyboard settings

Problem 2: Hangs up when you open some apps

Reason: conflict with battery optimization.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find TalkBack and turn off Battery Optimization
3. Do the same for a problem app (like WhatsApp)

Problem 3: The gesture to disconnect is not working

Alternative ways to turn off the mode:

• 🔑 Use a voice command: say, OK Google, turn off TalkBack"
• 📱 Connect your smartphone to your PC and turn off the mode through ADB: adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services ""
• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode")

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 12C) After the TalkBack shutdown ADB You may reset the authorized use of the microphone for voice commands!

Alternative applications for the visually impaired

If the standard TalkBack seems uncomfortable, consider third-party solutions.They often offer more flexible customizations and better integration with Xiaomi apps:

To install alternative applications:

1. Download. APK From the official website (for example, Be My Eyes)
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Installation of unknown applications
3. Install the file and provide all the permissions requested

Using Envision AI Xiaomi may need to disable battery optimization for the camera, otherwise the application will close in the background. → Annexes → Application management → Camera. → Optimizing the battery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the regime for the blind on Xiaomi