How to turn off TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi: a step-by-step guide with pictures

TalkBack is a built-in screen speaker from Google that helps visually impaired users control a smartphone. However, it is sometimes activated accidentally — for example, after triple pressing the power button or through a key combination. If you are trapped in a voice assistant and do not know how to turn off TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi, this article will help regain control of the device.

Complicating the problem is that with TalkBack on, standard gestures and taps work differently: one touch highlights the element, and a double tap activates it. We have compiled all the working ways to turn off, including methods for cases when the screen is locked or the sensor is unresponsive. The instructions are valid for all Redmi models (from Redmi Note 4 to Redmi 13 Pro) based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

Why does TalkBack turn on on its own?

Most often, the function is activated due to random actions:

• 🔄 Triple press of the power button - in MIUI This is a standard gesture for quickly turning on TalkBack (unless disabled in the special features settings).
• 🤏 The gesture "to hold three fingers" - on some firmware it is a combination to launch the voice assistant.
• 📦 System Update – After installing a new version MIUI or HyperOS special features settings can reset.
• 👶 Children or pets – Accidental touching of the screen in lock mode sometimes leads to activation of the function.

Less commonly, Google Play Services crashes or conflicts with third-party apps (such as launchers or optimizers) if TalkBack is turned on regularly, check your device for viruses or reset special features (see ADB for more on this).

Method 1: Disable via settings (if the screen is unlocked)

If you have managed to unlock your smartphone, follow this instruction:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll down and select Special Opportunities.
3. Tape on TalkBack (or Screencaster in HyperOS).
4. Move the slider to the off position.
5. Confirm the action in the dialog box by pressing OK.

If TalkBack is activated again after shutting down, check your gesture settings:

• Go to Settings → Special features → Special features gestures.
• Turn off the TalkBack option in the Triple Press Power button section.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 10C) The path to settings may be different. If you don't find TalkBack, search in the settings (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

Method 2: Disconnect via the notification panel (fast method)

If TalkBack is turned on but the screen is unlocked, try turning it off through the notification curtain:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the TalkBack icon (usually an icon with a man in a mug or microphone).
3. Then, touch it twice (a single touch will only highlight the element).
4. Confirm the disconnection in the window that appears.

If there is no icon, add it manually:

• Open the notification panel and tap on Edit (pencil icon).
• Find TalkBack in the list of unavailable tiles and drag it to the active area.

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If the notification bar doesn’t open the first time, try swiping twice with a little pause – TalkBack can perceive gestures as one long touch.

Method 3: Disconnecting by gestures (if the screen is locked)

The most difficult situation is when TalkBack is activated on a locked screen, in which case the combination of gestures will help:

1. Press and hold both volume buttons for 3 seconds.
2. After vibration, release the buttons and the Special Opportunities menu will open.
3. Swipe down two fingers to scroll down to TalkBack.
4. Twice tap the slider to turn off the function.

If this method does not work, try an alternative:

• 🔒 Unlock the screen with a password / pattern lock (you need to tap the input field twice and enter characters with a delay between clicks).
• 📱 Use voice commands: Say “OK Google, turn off TalkBack” (requires a customized voice assistant).
• 🔌 Put the keyboard on. OTG And use the Tab keys. + Enter for navigation.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi with HyperOS (like Redmi 12 or later), the volume button gesture may not work. ADB dump.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can disable TalkBack via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It will require a computer and USB-cable.

Steps:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the version number, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.google.android.marvin.talkback/com.google.android.marvin.talkback.TalkBackService:com.google.android.accessibility.switchaccess/com.android.switchaccess.SwitchAccessService


adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 0

After you've done the commands, restart the device. If TalkBack is still active, try an alternative command:

adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.marvin.talkback

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If none of these methods work, you'll have a hard reset, which will delete all the data from the device, so you should only use it as a last resort.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the power button + volume button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
5. After restarting, set the device as new.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11 and later), a Recovery reset may require you to enter a password from your Mi Account. If you do not remember it, use the official unlock service.

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Before resetting, try backing up your device via Mi Cloud (if the device is responsive to touches at all). To do this, tap the Settings icon twice → Mi Account → Cloud → Backup.

How to Prevent TalkBack Inadvertently Included in the Future

To avoid re-activation, follow these steps:

• 🔧 Turn off gestures: go to Settings → Special facilities → Special features gestures and deactivate all combinations.
• 🔒 Protect your settings: set a password to the Special Features section (available in the MIUI 13+).
• 📱 Update the firmware: new versions of HyperOS added protection against accidental inclusions.
• 🧹 Clear the cache: Clean the cache of the Google Play Services app regularly → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

On Redmi Note 12 and later on HyperOS, we have a feature called Safe Special Opportunity Mode, which blocks random changes to settings without password confirmation, to enable it:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → More
2. Activate the Safe Mode option.
3. Install. PIN-code.

FAQ: Frequent questions about TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi