The voice function on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is often random, such as when trying to wipe the screen or as a result of careless pressing in your pocket. The interface of the device instantly changes: audio prompts appear, and control moves to a two-step mode, making habitual use of the gadget almost impossible for an untrained user. Many owners panic, thinking that the phone broke or was subjected to a viral attack, but in fact it is a regular accessibility feature designed for visually impaired people.
There are a number of ways to get the screen back to normal, depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, and whether the touchscreen responds to touch. In some cases, the standard settings menu becomes unavailable due to navigational features, and you have to use emergency methods to reboot or use a voice assistant. It is important to understand that the deactivation process requires accuracy, since any unnecessary movement can trigger an unwanted service again.
In this article, we will look at all the known methods of solving the problem, from the classic disconnection through settings to the use of key combinations and a complete system reset. You will learn how to quickly remove voiceover if the screen is completely locked or reacts with a delay. We will also look at preventive measures that will help to avoid re-enable this feature in the future.
What is TalkBack and Why it Turns On
TalkBack is an Android-based screen reader that reads aloud all user actions, button names, and text messages, originally designed to help visually impaired people interact fully with their smartphones without visual control. However, on modern Xiaomi devices with high-frequency sensor surveys, activation often happens by accident while pressing two areas of the screen or holding a finger for a long time.
The main reason for spontaneous switching on is the touchscreen sensitivity and the presence of a hot key combination. The default availability settings often activate the option to allow service to start when you press both volume buttons. Xiaomi Redmi and Poco are particularly susceptible to this, as their side buttons can be easily clamped when carrying the phone in a tight pocket or case.
⚠️ Attention: TalkBack is completely different, so single tap is now just highlighting the element and sounding it, and for real action (opening the app) you have to press twice. Swipes are done with three fingers, which confuses inexperienced users.
Understanding the logic of this mode is key to shutting it down quickly, and the system expects you to make specific gestures, and if you keep using your phone in the usual one-touch, one-act mode, nothing will happen. It's a security mechanism that prevents you from accidentally changing your accessibility settings, but when the function is turned on, it becomes a barrier.
Quick shutdown with key combination
The fastest way to deactivate intrusive voice acting is to use the same combination that turned it on. On most Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12, 13, 14 and later, hot start through volume buttons is set by default, which works even if the screen is turned off or locked, making it the most efficient.
To do this, you need to find the physical buttons on the phone body, which are usually on the right or left side of the device, and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously, holding them for 3-5 seconds.
☑️ Checking a successful shutdown
If the operation is successful, you will feel a short vibration, and the voice assistant will say a phrase about turning off the function, the screen may blink, and the interface will return to standard management.
💡
If the button combination doesn’t work, it may have been disabled in the settings earlier, or your device has custom software build where this shortcut is not active by default.
It’s worth noting that some older Redmi models or certain regional firmware versions may have different combinations, such as sometimes requiring triple pressing or long-term retention of just one of the buttons, but the standard for the Android industry is that both volume keys are simultaneously pressed.
Disconnection through smartphone settings
If the hotkeys don't work or you're more comfortable using the menu, you can turn the service off manually, but remember that now the navigation has changed: to open the application, you first need to highlight it with one touch (the frame will appear), and then quickly press twice anywhere on the screen.
Take the following path, carefully highlighting each item: Settings → Advanced Settings → Special. features → TalkBack. In some versions of MIUI, the path may look like Settings → Additional → Special. features. Find the switch and turn it off using double pressing.
| Parameter | Description of action | Feature of MIUI |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | One click – highlighting, double – start | The allocation frame is green or blue |
| scrolling | Three fingers up or down | A normal scrolling with one finger does not work. |
| Notifications | Swipe top-down with two fingers | The curtain opens more difficult than usual |
| keyboard | You can print, but slowly. | It is recommended to use voice input |
Once the switch is switched to off, the system can request confirmation. The voice assistant will alert you that the function will stop. Press OK or Stop, using the double tap technique again, and then the phone will return to normal.
⚠️ Warning: If you can’t get to the menu due to management difficulties, try connecting an external computer mouse via an adapter. OTG. The mouse cursor works in TalkBack mode regardless of the touchscreen settings, which will make it easy to find the right points.
Using Google Assistant to Manage
Google's built-in voice assistant can be a lifeline when touch control is difficult. If your device has OK Google activated or has a separate assistant call button, you can give the command by voice, which bypasses the need for complex screen navigation.
Say "OK, Google" or press the home/power button to activate. Say clearly "Stop TalkBack" or "Stop TalkBack." Artificial intelligence recognizes the command and performs the necessary action in the system settings without you.
This method is particularly effective on smartphones with pure Android or new HyperOS shells, where Google services are more integrated than ever before, but on heavily modified Chinese firmware versions without Google services preinstalled, this may not work.
It's important to say commands clearly and quietly so that the microphone can correctly recognize the request. If the assistant asks, try to put the idea more simply: "Disable special features." The system will suggest the desired menu item.
Forced resetting of the device
In situations where the interface is frozen and voice commands are not working, a radical but effective method remains: reboot. Unlike computers, Xiaomi smartphones do not keep the TalkBack on after completely turning off the power, unless this is written in the user profile as a permanent requirement.
Press the power button and hold it for 10-15 seconds. Some models require simultaneous clamping of the power button and one of the volume buttons (usually "Loudness up"). The device vibrates and will forcefully leave the reset menu or immediately start to turn off.
After the screen goes out, wait until the system is fully loaded. 90% of the time, the voice function will be deactivated, because it doesn't autoload by default without explicit user confirmation, and this is the most reliable way to regain control of the brick.
What if TalkBack is turned on immediately after downloading?
Don’t be afraid to use Forced Reboot, it’s a routine procedure for Android that doesn’t delete your personal data, photos or contacts. It just resets your current RAM processes.
Full reset (Hard Reset)
If none of the above methods worked and the phone continues to behave inadequately, there may have been a failure in the system configuration files, in which case the only solution is to return to factory settings, this step will remove all data from the device, so it is worth resorting to as a last resort.
To reset without access to the screen (as TalkBack interferes), you can use Recovery Mode. Turn off the phone completely. Then press the power button and the volume button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or the Recovery menu appears.
Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm → RebootIn the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Find the Wipe Data item, select it and confirm the action. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will turn on as new.
⚠️ Warning: Full reset removes all photos, contacts, and apps, and before doing this, try to copy important data to your computer or cloud if you can, although it is extremely difficult to do this in TalkBack mode.
After resetting and initial setup, recheck the "Special Features" section and make sure the "TalkBack" shortcut switch is turned off so that history doesn't repeat itself.
Prevention of accidental inclusion
To avoid this kind of situation in the future, you need to adjust the sensitivity of launching special features correctly. This will take a minute, but it will save your nerves later. Go to the settings, find the Special Opportunities section → TalkBack.
Find "TalkBack shortcut" or "Key combination." Here you can completely disable the function from the volume buttons. Turn off this switch. Now, even if you accidentally pinch the buttons in your pocket, nothing happens.
💡
Turning off the hotkeys in the settings is the only guarantee that TalkBack will not turn on accidentally in the future.
Xiaomi engineers are constantly improving the touchscreen false-fire protection algorithms in new versions of MIUI and HyperOS. Updates often contain patches that correct sensor sensitivity.
Use side-protective covers that prevent side-buttons from accidentally clamping, a physical barrier that is often more effective than any software setting.