The sound of removing the object on Xiaomi: the reasons for the appearance and methods of disabling

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the device begins to comment with a voice on each click on the screen, especially when you try to remove an icon or file, you hear a loud ad “Delete object” or “Delete item.” For an inexperienced owner, this can be a real shock, as the device stops responding to ordinary touches in the usual way.

This behavior suggests that the accessibility settings have activated a special feature for the visually impaired, an option known as TalkBack or Screen Narrator that completely changes the logic of touchscreen interaction. Instead of executing a command instantly, the phone waits for confirmation of action, which makes normal use of the gadget extremely uncomfortable without knowing how to control it.

In this article, we will discuss in detail why this mode turned on, how to interpret sound signals correctly, and how you can return the phone to normal mode, you will learn what gestures now work, and how to permanently turn off intrusive voice support if you do not need it to correct vision.

The Nature of Voice Support in MIUI and HyperOS

The feature, often referred to by users as “delete sound,” is actually part of Android Accessibility, a comprehensive accessibility system that is integrated deep into system processes in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, and aims to help visually impaired people navigate their smartphone space by naming the items, buttons and actions they are about to take.

When you touch an app icon, the speaker says the name of the app, and if you double-task, it sounds an action like "Open." When you drag it into the cart or the removal icon, the system warns, "Move, delete the object." It's not a bug or a virus, it's a screen reader's work, and the problem arises when the function is activated by accident, for example, when cleaning the screen or in your pocket.

It's important to understand that in this mode, standard touchscreen logic is blocked. Single touch now just highlights the object and voices it, but does not start. To perform an action requires double touch, and to scroll through lists, use two fingers at the same time. This is done to prevent accidental taps, but for the average user becomes a barrier.

How TalkBack Works and Why It Turns On

TalkBack is most often activated on Xiaomi devices via a volume key combination. Modern firmware versions have a default option that triggers the mode while simultaneously pressing both volume buttons for a few seconds. This is a useful feature for emergencies, but in everyday life it often works in your pocket or when wearing a tight-button case.

There's also a software way to enable it through the settings menu, but random activation through physical buttons occurs 90% of the time, and the system alerts you with a vibration and a voice message, "TalkBack is on," and if you hear that phrase but you miss it, the phone will go into the gesture control mode described above.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to reset your phone with the Reset button or through Recovery while TalkBack is active.You can accidentally confirm the reset due to the changed touch logic by losing all data.

Another reason could be a conflict of third-party accessibility management applications, where some screen recording or remote access programs request permission to control the interface, which can lead to malfunctioning of the system announcer, in which case the audio signals can appear randomly, without reference to specific actions.

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To check which availability function is active, try pressing the power button 5 times quickly, and if the special features menu starts, this option is also activated in the settings.

Methods of disabling sound notifications

The fastest way to get the phone back in control is to use a keyboard combination. If the mode was turned on by pressing the volume buttons, then re-pressing both buttons (increases and decreases) for 3-5 seconds should turn off the function. The phone vibrates and says in its voice, "TalkBack is off." After that, the touchscreen will return to normal operation.

If the buttons are not working or are busy with other functions, you have to use the changed control logic. You need to find the Settings icon. Remember: first single tap to highlight (the green frame will appear), then double tap anywhere on the screen to enter. Then scroll only with two fingers.

Inside the settings, the algorithm is as follows:

• 🔍 Find the Advanced Settings or Special Opportunities section (double tap required to log in).
• 👁️ Select "TalkBack" or "Screen announcer».
• 🔘 Switch the switch to the "Off" position (use double touch to switch).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window by applying double touch again.

Setting up the parameters of the screen announcer

For those users who really need it, HyperOS offers flexible settings, so you can change your speech speed, voice tone, and level of detail, and make your smartphone more comfortable by eliminating the over-verbal.

The TalkBack settings menu has a voice settings section, where you can select a speech synthesis engine (usually Speech Services by Google), and you can also adjust your playback speed, and the standard speed may seem too fast for beginners, so it's recommended to lower it to 0.8 or 0.9.

And the thing that we need to look at is the "Touch Voice" parameter, which is that if you turn it off, it won't say the names of the elements when you point it, it'll only do that when you focus it, and it reduces noise, but it requires more precise finger movements on the screen.

Control gestures in availability mode

Understanding gestures is key to controlling your phone when voice mode is on. As mentioned earlier, single tap no longer triggers applications. It only serves to highlight an object. To open a program or press a button, you need to quickly tap the screen twice at any point after highlighting.

Scrolling pages and lists is done with two fingers at once. If you drive with one finger, the phone will simply highlight and name items, but not scroll through the content. To return to the home screen, back or call the menu, you need to use standard system gestures, but also with double tap.

There are also special gestures for TalkBack, which are performed by drawing letters on the screen:

• 📜 Drawing the letter "L" (bottom up, then right) - returns to the main screen.
• 🔙 Drawing the letter “V” (top down, then up) – performs the action “Back up».
• 📋 Drawing the letter "M" opens the TalkBack menu.
• 🔇 Drawing the letter “X” – will suspend voiceover (privacy mode).

Mastering these gestures can save the day if the screen is locked in speaker mode and you can't get to the settings in the usual way. Practice shows that the letter "L" is the most useful for quickly exiting confusing settings menus.

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The main principle of work: one touch = highlighting and voice acting, double touch = activation, two fingers = scrolling.

Prevention of Accidental Activation

To avoid a repeat of the situation when the phone starts talking about removing objects, it is recommended to check the settings of the availability shortcuts. Often users do not know that this feature is activated in the background. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special Options → TalkBack shortcut.

You can completely disable the activation of the function with volume buttons. Make sure that the "Use Volume button" switch is in the off position. This is guaranteed to protect you from accidentally turning on the mode in your pocket or bag.

⚠️ Attention: If you use a case that presses the buttons hard, the risk of accidental activation increases.

You should also look at third-party apps, some memory cleaners or antiviruses may request access rights for their work, and read permission requests carefully when installing new software from Google Play or GetApps.

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Check the list of special-purpose applications regularly, and remove access for programs that don't need it critically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)