TalkBack on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Enabling and Configuring a Voice Assistant

What is TalkBack and why it is needed on Xiaomi smartphones

TalkBack is an Android-based service for visually impaired people that converts text on the screen into speech. On Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines), the tool is integrated into the system, but is disabled by default, not only reading out text messages, app names and interface elements, but also allows you to control the device using special gestures.

Many users mistakenly believe that TalkBack is only for the blind, but it is actually useful in situations where you can't look at the screen, such as when you're driving, cooking or playing sports, and it can be a temporary solution if the touch screen fails, but the device still responds to touch.

It's important to understand that once TalkBack is activated, the standard Android gestures will change, for example, one touch will highlight the element and a double touch will activate it, which may seem uncomfortable at first, but you quickly get used to the new interface.

How to enable TalkBack on Xiaomi through settings

The most reliable way to activate the voice assistant is through the standard settings menu. The instructions are suitable for all modern Xiaomi devices based on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and others.

Open the Settings app (cog icon) and follow the following steps:

1. Go to the special features section: Settings → Special features → TalkBack.
2. Activate the slider at the top of the screen, and the system will prompt you to confirm the action — click Enable.
3. Wait for the voice pack to load (if not installed). Some Xiaomi models may require an internet connection.
4. Take a brief training (optional) and the system will offer you to familiarize yourself with the basic gestures.

Once enabled, TalkBack will immediately start reading the interface elements. To pause speech, use a two-finger down gesture (more on gestures in the next section).

Check the battery charge (minimum 30%|Connect to Wi-Fi to download a voice packet|Close confidential applications (banking, instant messengers)|Prepare for changing the control gestures-->

Handling gestures in TalkBack mode

After TalkBack is activated, standard Android gestures stop working, instead using special combinations that may seem unintuitive.

To return the standard gestures, you need to disable TalkBack (instructions in one of the following sections).If you accidentally activate the function and can not leave it, use the combination of clamping two fingers for 3 seconds - this will open the TalkBack menu, where you can select the Suspend item.

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Setting up voice and speech speed

TalkBack uses a standard Android voice by default, but it can be changed to a more pleasant or natural one.

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → TalkBack → Settings.
2. Select Voice and click Set Voice Data (if you need to download additional packets).
3. In the Speech Speed section, adjust the slider, the optimal value for most users: 50-70%.
4. Turn on the Vibration option when highlighting if you want tactile feedback.

On Xiaomi devices with HyperOS, additional settings are available, such as:

• 🔊 Level of detail – the choice between brief and detailed descriptions of elements.
• 📱 Displaying hints – enabling pop-up prompts for new users.
• 🔄 Automatic scrolling – activation of scrolling long texts without gestures.

Xiaomi models with Qualcomm processors (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) have a smoother voice experience than those with MediaTek chips (like the POCO M5), which is due to driver optimization across platforms.

How to turn off TalkBack if it interferes

If you accidentally turn on TalkBack or you don't need it anymore, you can turn it off in a number of ways, and the key is to remember that standard gestures don't work anymore, so you need to be careful.

Method 1: Through the TalkBack Menu

1. Make a gesture with two fingers down and hold for 2 seconds – the global menu will open.
2. Swipe left or right to find the Suspend TalkBack item.
3. Twice tap the screen to confirm the action.

Method 2: Through settings (if gestures don't work)

• 📱 Ask the assistant to open the settings. → Special facilities → TalkBack.
• 🔄 Use physical volume buttons to navigate the menu (if the screen is unresponsive).
• 🛑 On some Xiaomi models, you can turn off the function through Quick Settings (swipe down with two fingers).

⚠️ Warning: If TalkBack is activated due to a system failure (for example, after a phone crash), try restarting the device. To do this, press the power button and volume up for 10 seconds. After restarting, the function can turn off automatically.

Solving Common Problems with TalkBack

Sometimes TalkBack doesn't work properly, stutters, doesn't read text, or turns on spontaneously, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If the problem is not solved, try updating MIUI or HyperOS to the latest version. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

TalkBack for Xiaomi: what are the other voice assistants

If the standard TalkBack isn’t right for you, consider alternative voice control solutions:

• 🤖 Google Assistant – supports voice commands to open apps, call and search, activated by the phrase “OK, Google".
• 📱 Voice Access – Google’s voice control app (available on Play Market).
• 🎤 XiaoAI is Xiaomi’s proprietary voice assistant integrated into the MIUI. It only works on Chinese firmware.
• 🔄 Select to Speak – a feature in Special features that reads only highlighted text (does not change gestures).

Each of these solutions has its pros and cons: Google Assistant is more versatile, but requires an Internet connection, while Voice Access is offline, but supports a limited set of commands.

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If you use voice assistants a lot, add a Google Assistant or TalkBack widget to the home screen, which will speed up access to the features.

FAQ: Frequent questions about TalkBack on Xiaomi