When the interface of a smartphone on Xiaomi starts to sound every touch, and the screen is locked after two taps, it often causes panic among users. It is not a virus or a breakdown, but an activated TalkBack mode, an accessibility program for visually impaired people, usually activated accidentally when trying to wipe the screen or put the phone in your pocket, where there is a long clamping or specific gesture.
You don't have to take your device to a service center or do a full data reset to get it back to normal. The MIUI system and the Android shell provide several standard ways to deactivate this feature, even if you can't see where you're clicking, and the key is to understand the logic of the voice assistant and know the right sequence of actions.
In this article, we will discuss all possible methods: from simple button combinations to using the settings menu and ADB-We’ll also look at why the feature turns on on its own and how to prevent it from happening in the future so that your Xiaomi reacts to touching again instantly.
Why is voice acting included and how it works
TalkBack is designed for people with visual impairments, so it fundamentally changes the logic of interaction with the touchscreen. The usual single touch now highlights the element and pronounces its name, and activation (opening the application or pressing a button) requires a double tap. Swipes with one finger scroll the content, and swipes with two fingers move between the screens.
Most often activation is due to the function “Quick commands”. If the settings allow voice or volume buttons to be turned on, then accidentally pressing the keys in your pocket or saying the phrase “Enable TalkBack” triggers the mode. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI, a bug often occurs when the availability settings are reset or activated again after updating the system.
⚠️ Warning: While TalkBack mode is active, the phone's management is completely changed. Don't try to unlock the screen the usual way - it won't work. You need to learn new gestures or use physical buttons.
Understanding the accessibility assistant is critical, because it intercepts all touch events, so the standard actions become unavailable. If you accidentally turn on this feature, don't panic: the system is not permanently locked, and the developers have to exit it.
The fastest way: a combination of volume buttons
The most effective method that works on most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones is the use of physical buttons. If you have the TalkBack shortcut option enabled (which is often the default option), then simultaneously pressing both volume buttons for 3-5 seconds will turn off the function.
To do this, the phone can be locked or unlocked. You need to press the volume button and the volume button at the same time. Hold them until you hear an audible signal or a voice message that TalkBack is off. Some Android models require you to do this twice in a row.
If you don't work the first time, try changing the rhythm of the press. Sometimes the system doesn't read the simultaneous press if the finger slips. Make sure you're putting the side keys on the keys, not the power button. This is a universal technique for MIUI 12, 13, 14 and later.
💡
If the volume buttons don't respond, maybe the shortcut is turned off in the settings.Try other methods or plug in USB-mouse.
Disconnect via the settings menu using gestures
If the button combination doesn't work, you'll have to walk through the menu manually, and remember the rule: one finger picks an item (it's illuminated in green or blue), and a double tap activates it. Swipes are made with two fingers at the same time.
Unlock your phone first, if you have a pattern lock or PIN-code, double tap them by the numbers you want. Then look for the Settings icon. Single it with one touch, then quickly press it twice».
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 🔍 Find the “Accessibility” section and activate it with a double tap.
- 👁️ In the list, select “TalkBack” and go inside the menu with a double tap.
- 🔘 Click on the "Use TalkBack" switch. It will stand out, then double tap to turn off.
- ✅ Confirm the action in the window that appears by highlighting the “Disable” button again and pressing it twice.
This method requires some skill, because you need to get through fairly small elements of the interface. If you can not find the right item, use a search by settings (lamp at the top), saying the name of the function or highlighting the search bar and entering text using double taps on the keyboard.
☑️ Unlock the screen with double taps
Using the Google Assistant voice assistant
Owners of Xiaomi smartphones with Google Assistant configured can use voice control, which is one of the easiest ways if the phone’s microphone is working correctly and the response to the phrase “OK, Google” or the assistant call button is configured.
Activate the assistant in any way you can. If the screen responds to touch (emphasizes elements), try pressing the home button or swipe from the lower corner (depending on the type of navigation), when the assistant responds, clearly say the command: "Stop TalkBack" or "Disable availability mode".
The system recognizes the command and offers a confirmation, and in some cases, you have to say yes or tap on the screen to confirm, which is especially useful if the touchscreen is damaged or reacts with a delay, making navigation on the menu impossible.
⚠️ Attention: Voice control may not work in a noisy room or if the language of the phone interface is different from the language of the command spoken.
Connection method USB-mouse-keyboard
If the touchscreen is chaotic or you can’t get your fingers on the right buttons, the ideal solution is to connect the peripherals. Xiaomi smartphones support OTG technology, which allows you to connect a regular computer mouse or keyboard through an adapter.
You'll need a USB-to-Type-C adapter (or Micro-USB, depending on the phone model). Connect your mouse to your phone. You'll have a cursor on the screen that doesn't depend on the TalkBack settings. You can now control your phone like a computer: a single left-click highlights an object, and a double-click activates it.
Using the cursor, walk along the way: Settings → Advanced settings → Special opportunities → TalkBack and turn off the switchboard, and then you can turn off the mouse, and the phone will go back to normal. USB-keyboard, you can use arrows for navigation and Enter to select.
This is considered the most reliable method in difficult situations when software methods fail, it allows you to completely ignore the changed logic of the touch screen and control the system at the level of standard input events.