How to completely disable TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working ways

Why TalkBack is turned on and how to fix it

TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a useful feature for people with disabilities, but it is often activated by accident, for example, when you repeatedly press the power button or through a combination of gestures that the user does not even know about. The main problem is that after turning on the smartphone interface changes dramatically: instead of the usual taps, specific gestures are required, and the system begins to voice every action.

On the Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS), TalkBack can be launched because of:

• 🔄 Failure in MIUI — especially after the updates to MIUI 12.5+, where the logic of special opportunities has been changed.
• 👆 Accidental triple pressing of the power button (Accessibility Menu function).
• 📱 Connect external devices (earphones, gamepad) that emulate gestures.
• 🔧 Viruses or conflicting applications that change special features settings.

If you're faced with a screen that's "unclickable" and your phone is constantly saying, don't panic. 90% of the time, it's solved in 2-3 minutes without a data reset. The key is to know the right sequence for your version of MIUI, because the TalkBack setup interface is different from the Redmi 9 and Redmi 9A/9C.

Method 1: Disable via standard settings (if screen is available)

If you've unlocked your phone and the interface is responsive to touch, use this method. It's the safest and doesn't require a data reset.

Instructions:

1. Make a gesture with two fingers down (as if you were scrolling through a page) to open the notification bar.
2. Twice put one finger on the cog icon (Settings).
3. In the settings menu, scroll down with a gesture of two fingers up/down to the Special Features section (on some versions of MIUI - Universal Access).
4. Find TalkBack and tap it twice.
5. Transfer the slider to the off position (confirmation with a gesture of two fingers on the screen from left to right is required).

If the slider is not active or after turning off TalkBack again, check:

• 🔄 Automatic Enablement in Settings → Special opportunities → TalkBack → Settings → Auto-start.
• 🔒 Administrator rights – sometimes TalkBack is blocked by antivirus software (e.g. Avast or 360 Security).
• 📱 User profiles – if there are multiple accounts on your phone, disable the feature for all.

💡

If the screen does not respond to gestures, try connecting the mouse through the OTG-It's easier to manage the TalkBack menu.

Method 2: Disable via Quick Settings (if the screen is locked)

When TalkBack is activated on a locked screen, the standard gestures don’t work, and a hidden menu of special features that can be called even without unlocking will help.

Algorithm of action:

1. On the locked screen, press the volume and volume buttons at the same time for 3 seconds.
2. Wait for the special features window to appear (it may be necessary to repeat the action 2-3 times).
3. In the menu, find the TalkBack icon and tap it twice.
4. Confirm the disconnection by gesture to swipe two fingers on the screen from right to left.

If this method didn't work:

• 🔋 Check battery power – at levels below 15% some features MIUI switch off.
• 🔌 Connect the charger – sometimes the special features menu only appears when charging.
• 📶 Reboot the phone by holding the power button 10+ seconds, but not through the menu!).

Method 3: Using voice commands (if the screen is completely non-clickable)

When the touch screen is not responsive to gestures due to a TalkBack malfunction, you can try to control the phone with voice.This method works on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.0.1+, where the Google Assistant voice assistant is built in.

Step-by-step:

1. Say loudly, “OK Google” or “Hey Google” (if activated).
2. After the beep, say, "Open the settings."
3. Wait for the menu to open and say, "Special Opportunities."
4. Then, “Switch off TalkBack” and confirm the command with a voice (Yes).

If the voice assistant does not respond:

• 🔊 Check the microphone – sometimes it turns off in privacy settings.
• 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi – Google Assistant requires internet access.
• 📱 Update Google Services via Play Market (if you have access to another device).

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi 9 firmware (e.g, MIUI Global 12.0.8) TalkBack voice control is only available in English. Try saying the English commands: "Turn off TalkBack".

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t help and data resetting is undesirable, you can disable TalkBack via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a computer and USB-cable, but stores all the data on the phone.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Utility. ADB (download).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and enable USB Debugging (if your phone responds to gestures, path: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (7 times) → Settings → Additional → For Developers → USB Debugging).
2. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:

cd C:\platform-tools

1. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is displayed, do:

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

adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 0

After completing the commands, restart the phone:

adb reboot

⚠️ If, after disabling TalkBack, ADB phone stopped responding to touch, execute the command to reset gestures: adb shell settings put secure touch_exploration_enabled 0 This will bring back standard sensor control.

Method 5: Hard reset (if nothing helps)

If all previous methods have failed, the last option is to reset to factory settings, which will delete all data from the phone, so use it only as a last resort.

How to reset Redmi 9 with TalkBack enabled:

1. Turn off the phone by holding the power button for 10+ seconds.
2. Press the power button + volume button before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. Confirm the reset by choosing Yes.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Restore data from the backup (if it was created in the MIUI Cloud).
• 🔒 Turn off TalkBack Automatic Enablement in Settings → Special opportunities → TalkBack → Settings → Auto-start.
• 📱 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) to avoid accidental taps.

💡

Resetting to factory settings is a last resort. Before you do it, try connecting your phone to another device via Mi Share and saving important files.

How to Prevent TalkBack Inadvertently Included in the Future

To avoid having to run your voice assistant spontaneously, set up Redmi 9 to follow these guidelines:

1. Turn off the quick start of special features:

Go to Settings → Special Features → Short menu of special features and deactivate the option.

1. Set up gesture blocking:

In Settings → Lock screen → Additional → Gestures turn off Triple Press and Double Touch.

1. Update MIUI:

New firmware versions (starting with MIUI 12.5.3) fix bugs with spontaneously enabled TalkBack. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

1. Install an alternative launcher:

Some shells (such as POCO Launcher) block random gestures that lead to activation of special features.

Also useful:

• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to prevent malware from changing its settings.
• 🔄 Regularly backups through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 📱 Use a case with protection against accidental pressing (for example, with a magnetic lock).

💡

Create a shortcut to quickly disable TalkBack: add the Settings widget to the home screen and select Special Options so you can turn off the 2-tape feature.

FAQ: Frequent questions about TalkBack on Xiaomi Redmi 9