Why TalkBack is turned on by itself and how to fix it
TalkBack on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is often activated by accident, by pressing the power button three times or clamping two fingers on the screen, and when you turn on, the phone starts to voice all the actions, and the standard gestures stop working, which creates a lot of inconvenience, especially if you don't know how to return to normal mode.
Compounding the problem, even simple actions in TalkBack mode — like swiping to unlock or clicking on an app icon — require special gestures. Many users panic, thinking that the phone is broken. In fact, you can turn off the feature in 1-2 minutes, if you know the correct sequence of actions.
In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to disable TalkBack on Xiaomi (including models) 2020-2026 years), and also explain how to prevent accidental activation. MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 HyperOS.
Method 1: Disable via settings (if screen is visible)
If you see a screen but can't use it properly because of the voice, follow these steps. In TalkBack, the gestures change:
- 👆 Single tap - highlights the element (does not press!).
- 👆👆 Double tap – activates the selected element (analogue of conventional pressing).
- 👉 Swipe left/right – moving between elements.
- 🤏 Two fingers with a pinch – scrolling the page.
Instructions:
- Unlock the phone with a swipe upwards with two fingers (instead of a regular swipe with one finger).
- Go to Settings (cog icon). To do this, do a single tap on the Settings icon (it will stand out with a green frame). Make a double tap to open.
Special facilities
Universal access
MIUI
TalkBack
Off.
double-tape
OK.
Remember new gestures (single and double tap)
Make sure the screen is unlocked.
Find the Settings icon (cog)
Do not interrupt the process until completely disconnected.-->
⚠️ Warning: If after TalkBack shutdown, the phone restarted and the function is active again, it means that the device has an attacker application. → Annexes.
Method 2: Disconnect via Quick Settings (if the icon is visible)
On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11, POCO X5), the TalkBack icon is displayed in the notification panel.
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen with two fingers (to open the notification bar).
- Find the TalkBack icon (usually a circled person icon or the words “Voice Assistant”).
- Make a single tap on the icon (it will stand out), then double tap to disconnect.
If there is no icon, try adding it:
- Open the notification panel with two fingers.
- Slip on the pencil (edit) → find TalkBack in the list and drag it to the active area.
💡
On HyperOS (2026), the TalkBack icon can be hidden behind the “More” button (three dots) in the notification bar.
Method 3: Disconnect via Google Assistant (if voice commands are working)
If the screen doesn't respond to touch or you can't unlock the phone, try using Google's voice assistant.This method works even if TalkBack has blocked standard gestures.
Instructions:
- Activate Google Assistant with a voice command: Okay, Google, open the special options settings Or (if it doesn’t work): OK, Google, turn off TalkBack.
- If the assistant opens the settings, say: Turn off TalkBack.
- Confirm the shutdown with voice or double tap (if the screen is unlocked).
If Google Assistant does not respond:
- 🔋 Check if the phone is connected to charging (some models turn off the assistant when the charge is low).
- 📶 Make sure you have access to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- 🔊 Turn up the volume – the assistant may be responding, but you can’t hear it.
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi with firmware MIUI 14+ Voice commands may not work if Google's special features are disabled in the settings.
Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods don’t help (for example, after a setting reset or a virus attack), you can turn off TalkBack via the Internet. ADB (Android Debug Bridge requires a computer and USB-cable.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools (the official tool from Google).
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB, enable USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
platform-tools
adb devices(The name of your device should appear)
adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services ""adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.marvin.talkbackReboot the phone.
| ADB Team Team | Description |
|---|---|
| adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services "" | Resets all special opportunities services |
| adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.marvin.talkback | Disables TalkBack app for current user |
| adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.marvin.talkback | Deletes TalkBack (requires superuser rights) |
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 5: Resetting settings (extreme case)
If none of these methods work, you'll have to reset to factory settings, and that will delete all the data from your phone, so you'll only use the method as a last resort.
How to Reset Yourself with Recovery Mode:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
- Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
- After the reboot, the phone will be like new – TalkBack will shut down automatically.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Mi Account lock (e.g. Redmi Note 12, POCO F5) After the reset, you need to enter the account information that was associated with the phone, without which it will be impossible to unlock the device!
💡
Resetting is the last option. Before you use it, try all other ways and save important data (contacts, photos) through the Mi Cloud or your computer.
How to prevent accidental switching on TalkBack
To prevent TalkBack from activating on its own, set up the phone:
- 🔧 Turn off the fast activation of special features: Go to Settings → Special facilities → TalkBack → Settings. Turn off the Quick Turn on option (or Triple Press of the Power button).
gestures to prevent accidental pressing
- In Settings → Lock screen and password → Additional settings turn off Camera Launch Gestures and Double Touch to wake up.
lockdown
- In Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special Access, check which programs have access to Special Features and remove suspicious ones.
On Xiaomi models from 2023-2026 (for example, Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70), TalkBack can be activated through the voice assistant Xiao AI. To avoid this, disable Xiao AI in the settings or deny it access to special features.