How to completely disable TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: all ways (including emergency)

The Xiaomi Redmi 9C is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but it’s not uncommon for owners to suddenly turn on TalkBack, which changes standard gestures, forces the phone to voice every action, and can completely paralyze the device if you don’t know how to turn it off. Unlike other Xiaomi models, the Redmi 9C has its own nuances due to the MIUI version and interface features.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to deactivate TalkBack, from standard settings to emergency methods for cases when the screen does not respond to touch. We will also discuss why the function turns on on itself (spoiler: random combinations of buttons or system updates are to blame) and how to prevent it from activating in the future. If you have tried to turn off the assistant through the menu, but nothing has worked, do not close the page: at the end there is a section with alternative solutions for “locked” phones.

What is TalkBack and Why it is included in the Redmi 9C

TalkBack is a Google-based special feature service designed for visually impaired people, which converts text and actions on the screen into speech prompts, and also changes standard control gestures, such as tapping an item first and then double tapping it (instead of a regular tap).

On the Xiaomi Redmi 9C, the feature can be activated for several reasons:

• 🔄 Accidental pressing: Simultaneously pressing volume buttons for 3-5 seconds (this is a “hot” combination to enable special features on many Android devices).
• 📱 Update MIUI: After installing the new firmware version, some settings are reset and TalkBack can be turned on automatically.
• 👶 Children or pets: Accidental touches of the screen in the special features menu (especially if the phone is unlocked).
• 🔧 Resetting: After returning to factory settings, all special features services are activated by default.

The main problem is that once TalkBack is enabled, standard gestures stop working, and users can not return the normal control mode, for example, swiping down to open the notification bar turns into a page scrolling, and one tap only highlights the element, but does not activate it.

Method 1: Disable TalkBack through standard settings (if the screen is responsive)

If you can still interact with the screen (albeit with altered gestures), follow this instruction. Remember: all actions require double tap instead of the usual tap.

1. Unlock the phone (use double tap to enter) PIN-code)

2. swipe two fingers from top to bottom to open the notification panel

3. Touch the gear icon (Settings) and make a double touch

4. scroll the list with two fingers up/down to the Special Opportunities section

5. Find "TalkBack" and double-task disable the slider-->

More details:

1. Unlock Redmi 9C. If you have a pattern lock installed, swipe it with your finger and then double-task it anywhere on the screen.
2. Open the Notification Panel: Swipe two fingers from the top edge of the screen down (instead of a regular swipe with one finger).
3. Find the Settings icon in the top right corner. Tap it once, then double-tap it.
4. In the settings menu, scroll the list with two fingers (one finger won't work!) to the Special Features section (the person's icon in the circle). Double tap to enter.
5. Select TalkBack (can be called Voice Assistant or Screen Narrator) and double-touching on the slider will put it in the off position.
6. Confirm the action in the window that appears by pressing OK (again double touch).

If after turning off the gestures did not return to the standard, restart the phone: press the power button and select Reboot (double tap).

💡

If TalkBack turned on after the MIUI update, check the “Reset Special Options” section of the Settings menu → Special Options → Special Options settings → Reset. This will return all settings to factory values.

Method 2: Disconnect via Quick Settings (if the icon is visible)

On some versions of MIUI for Redmi 9C, the TalkBack icon appears in the Quick Settings panel.This is the fastest way to turn off the feature if it's available.

How to check:

1. Swipe two fingers from top to bottom to open the notification bar completely.
2. Swipe left/right on the bottom of the panel (where Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. icons are located) to find the TalkBack icon (usually an icon of an eye or person with audio waves).
3. Tap the icon once, then double tap to turn off.

If the icon is not present, it can be added:

• Open the notification panel with two fingers.
• Click on the pencil icon (editing).
• Find it in the TalkBack list and drag it to the active area (double touch and hold).

Method 3: Emergency shutdown via buttons (if the screen is unresponsive)

If TalkBack has completely blocked control and you can’t even unlock the phone, use a hardware button combination.This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi 9C, but requires precise execution of the steps.

Instructions:

1. Press the volume and volume buttons for 3-5 seconds at the same time.
2. Hold them until you hear a beep or vibration (this means TalkBack is off).
3. Release the buttons and check if the standard gestures are back.

If the combination doesn't work:

• 🔋 Try to press the power button + 10-15 seconds louder (this will force a forced reboot, after which TalkBack can reset).
• 🔄 If the phone has restarted but TalkBack is back on, repeat the volume combination immediately after booting the system.

💡

Volume button combinations are a universal way to turn off TalkBack on all Android devices, but on some MIUI firmware, it can be blocked.If it didn't work the first time, try holding the buttons longer (up to 10 seconds).

Method 4: Disconnecting via Safe Mode

If TalkBack is turned on due to a malfunction of a third-party application (for example, after installing a launcher or a modified firmware), Safe Mode will help. In it, all third programs are disabled, and you can turn off the assistant through standard settings.

How to Sign in to Safe Mode on Redmi 9C

1. Turn off the phone by pressing the power button.
2. Hold the power button until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press the volume down button.
4. Hold the volume button until the phone boots up. In the lower left corner of the screen, the Safe mode will appear.

In safe mode:

• Open Settings → Special Options → TalkBack and turn off the feature (as in Method 1).
• Restart your phone in normal mode.

If TalkBack is activated again after you leave Safe Mode, there is a problem in one of the installed applications. Try uninstalling recently installed programs or resetting (more on this in the next section).

Method 5: Resetting special features settings (last resort)

If none of these things worked, the last option is to reset all the special settings, which will bring TalkBack and other services (like screen augmentation, color filters) back to factory settings.

How to perform the reset:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots (menu) and select Special Opportunity Settings.
3. Scroll down and find the option Reset special features settings.
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

After discharge:

• 🔄 TalkBack and all related functions will be shut down.
• 📱 Changes in other parameters (e.g. font size, color scheme) are possible).
• ⚠️ Note: This method does not delete personal data, but resets all availability settings.

If the reset doesn't work, you just have to reset the phone completely to the factory settings, and that will delete all the data, so back up first.

adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.google.android.marvin.talkback/com.google.android.marvin.talkback.TalkBackService:0

This method requires the included debugging on USB and installed Xiaomi drivers.-->

Table: Comparison of ways to disable TalkBack on Redmi 9C

How to Prevent TalkBack Inadvertently Included in the Future

To avoid re-activating your voice assistant, follow these tips:

• 🔕 Turn off the hot keys: go to Settings → Special facilities → Setting up special capabilities → Hot keys and deactivate the option Hold the volume buttons.
• 👶 Use Child Mode: If children use the phone, turn on Parental Controls in the security settings.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Be careful: check user reviews on forums before installing a new firmware (sometimes updates automatically include special features).
• 🔒 Lock the screen: Even if you leave your phone unattended for a few minutes, use it. PIN-code.

You can also install third-party apps to block random clicks, such as Touch Lock or Screen Pinning, which will prevent access to special features settings without entering a password.

💡

On the Redmi 9C with MIUI 12+ firmware, TalkBack can be enabled when you connect headphones or Bluetooth devices. To avoid this, turn off Automatic Enablement when you connect devices in the special features settings.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

If you have experienced problems when disabling TalkBack, check out these points:

⚠️ If after disabling TalkBack the screen turned black or the phone stopped responding to touch – this is a sign of a malfunction. MIUI Launcher.Reboot your device in Safe Mode and install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).

If none of the methods worked and the phone became completely inoperable, contact the Xiaomi service center. In some cases, you need to flash the device through Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions