How to turn off TalkBack mode on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 working ways

Why TalkBack is turned on by itself and how to fix it

TalkBack is a useful feature for people with visual impairments, but accidentally turning it on can turn using Xiaomi Redmi into a nightmare. The smartphone begins to voice your every action, and the usual gestures stop working.

Mistake of pressing (holding two fingers for 3 seconds is a standard switching gesture);

- System failure after MIUI update;

Actions of children or pets accidentally hitting the screen;

Viruses or malicious applications that simulate clicks.

If you're facing this problem, don't panic: you can turn TalkBack off even without access to basic settings. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, from standard to emergency, including resetting via Recovery.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen turns black or doesn't respond to touch after TalkBack is turned on, don't try to reboot the phone with the power button - this can aggravate the problem".

Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings

If your smartphone is touch-responsive (albeit late), use this method. It works on all Xiaomi Redmi models, from the Redmi 4A to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Algorithm of action:

1. Unlock your phone. If the screen is locked, swipe two fingers across the screen (unlock gesture in TalkBack).
2. Open the settings (cog icon). To do this, touch it with one finger, then double-touch it (not double-click!).
3. Scroll down to the Special Opportunities section (in MIUI 14+ it may be called Universal Access).
4. Find TalkBack and tap it. Double-touch it.
5. Turn the slider to the off position. or press Disconnect.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 13 and later after disabling TalkBack, the system can request confirmation via a graphical key or password.If you forgot it, use the Recovery reset method.

Method 2: Disconnect with gestures (if the screen is unresponsive)

If TalkBack is activated but the touch screen is not working properly, use alternative gestures, which is suitable for the Redmi 9/10/11 series and newer models.

Instructions:

• 👆 Gesture up with two fingers – scroll down the page (analogue of swipe in normal mode).
• 👇 Gesture down with two fingers - scroll up.
• ☝️ Touching with one finger + retention of the second – imitation of a long press (for example, to call a context menu).
• 🤏 Plug gesture (mixing two fingers) – return to the previous screen.

To turn off TalkBack gestures:

1. Unlock the phone with a pinch gesture (if the screen is locked).
2. Swipe two fingers up to open the Settings.
3. Find Special Opportunities (scroll down with two fingers).
4. Double tap TalkBack, then double tap Disable again.

💡 Useful tip: If gestures don't work, try connecting the mouse through OTG-In TalkBack mode, the mouse cursor will work like a normal pointer.

Method 3: Voice control (for MIUI 12 and later)

In modern versions, MIUI TalkBack supports voice commands. This is a rescue if the touch screen is completely locked. The feature works on the Redmi Note 8/9/10/11/12 and the flagships of the K series.

How to turn off voice:

1. Activate the voice assistant by saying, “OK Google” or “Hi Siri” (if configured).
2. Tell the command to "Open settings."
3. After opening the settings, say “Special features” or “Universal access”.
4. Then say “turn off TalkBack” or “turn off voice assistant.”
5. Confirm the action with a voice: "Yes."

⚠️ Note: Voice control may not work if:

• 🔇 Microphone disabled in privacy settings;
• 📵 No Internet connection (needed to recognize commands);
• 🔊 The noise level in the room is too high.

If voice commands aren't recognized, try holding your phone closer to your lips and speaking clearly, in syllables. MIUI 14 adds support for offline recognition, but it only works on Chinese firmware.

Method 4: Emergency shutdown through Safe Mode

If TalkBack has blocked all controls, put your phone in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party apps, including possible viruses that the voice assistant may have activated.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger at the switch off (or power off) for 3-5 seconds.
3. Confirm the transition to safe mode by pressing OK.
4. After the reboot, disable TalkBack via Settings → Special Features (gestures won’t work, use standard touches).
5. Reboot your phone in the usual way to get out of safe mode.

🔧 Technical detail: In safe mode MIUI If TalkBack is enabled due to a virus (e.g. com.android.accessibility.overlay), it can be removed in safe mode via Settings. → Annexes.

💡

Safe Mode is the only way to turn off TalkBack if it is caused by a virus or a third-party app, and in this mode all gestures work as standard.

Method 5: Complete Recovery Reset (Extreme Case)

If none of the methods worked, you'll have to reset hard through Recovery Mode, which will delete all the data from your phone, so only use it as a last resort.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long hold on the power button.
2. Click the combination: For Redmi 4/5/6/7/8 series: Power + Volume up; For Redmi 9/10/11/12 and Note series: Power + Volume up (hold 10+ seconds); For Redmi K20/K30/K40/K50: Power + Volume up + Volume down.

Mi

Recovery

Nutrition

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot → Reboot to System

⚠️ Note: Reset via Recovery removes:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data;
• 📷 Photos, videos and music (if not on the list) SD-map);
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts;
• 📱 System settings (including fingerprints).

💾 Recovery Tips: If you had Mi Cloud enabled, you can restore data after reset via Settings → Xiaomi account → Recovery: Photos and contacts sync automatically.

How to Prevent TalkBack Inadvertently Included in the Future

To avoid this problem, set up your phone in advance:

1. Turn off the switching gesture:

• 👆 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → TalkBack → Settings;
• 🔧 Turn off TalkBack Gesture (or Quick Enablement);
• 🔒 Set a password for changes in the Universal Access section.

2. Install a third-party launcher:

• 📱 Launchers like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher allows you to disable system gestures;
• 🛡️ Set up a lock on changes to Launcher Settings → Locking the layout.

3. Check the phone for viruses:

• 🛡️ Use Mi Security or Malwarebytes to scan;
• 📦 Remove suspicious apps from Settings → Annexes → All applications;
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

🔐 Additional protection: B MIUI 14 Special Options Protection is available. Activate it in Settings → Universal access → In addition, any changes require a password.

💡

Create a TalkBack disable shortcut on the home screen: add the Settings widget and select Special Options, which will disable the 2-touch feature.

Frequently asked questions