Guide access to Xiaomi: how to enable and configure for easy use

The Access Guide (or TalkBack in the international version) feature on Xiaomi devices is a specialized tool for people with visual disabilities, which converts the interface into voice prompts, adds tactile feedback and makes navigation easier with gestures, but many users have difficulty activating it: the menu is hidden in the depth of settings, and once turned on, the standard methods of controlling the device stop working.

In this article, we will discuss all ways to enable access guide on Mi TVs. TV, smartphone Redmi/POCO We will pay special attention to hidden combinations of buttons for emergency disabling of the function if you accidentally activate it and can not return the standard mode. Also consider how to adjust the voice assistant, speech speed and gesture sensitivity – to make the tool work as comfortably as possible.

What is a Xiaomi Access Guide and Why You Need It

Access guide (in international firmware - TalkBack or Accessibility Suite) is a set of functions that adapt the device to the needs of people with visual impairments.

• 🗣️ Action voice: the system reads out the name of buttons, notifications and interface elements when touching.
• 👆 Gesture control: instead of standard taps, special swipes are used (for example, two fingers down to scroll).
• 🔍 Increased Elements: Scaling text and icons up to 200% without losing quality.
• 🎧 Audio description: A detailed explanation of what is happening on the screen (not available on all models).

It's not just for the visually impaired, it's for example, for:

• 📱 App availability testing (mandatory requirement for publication on Google Play).
• 👨💻 Developers who optimize interfaces for users with disabilities.
• 🧪 Touch screen diagnostics (guide access helps you understand which areas do not respond to touch).

⚠️ Attention: Once activated, all standard gestures stop working. For example, swipe up to return to the main screen will be replaced by double-touch with a delay. To return to normal mode, you need to know special combinations (we will discuss them below).

How to enable access guide on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)

On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO firmware MIUI The 12-14 path to accessibility settings may vary depending on the shell version.We'll look at the one-size-fits-all method that works on most models (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13).

Instructions for activation:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (or additionally) → Special Opportunities on Older Versions MIUI).
3. Select the access guide (or talkback).
4. Activate the slider at the top of the screen.
5. Confirm the inclusion by pressing OK in the window that appears.

Once activated, you'll hear voice greetings and prompts to interact with the screen:

• 👆 Single touch – selecting an element (not pressing!).
• 👆👆 Double-touch with delay – activation of the button (analogue of a regular tapa).
• ⤴️ Swipe right/left – transition between elements.
• ⤵️⤵️ Two fingers down - scroll the page.

⚠️ Note: If you have enabled guide access on a device with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after firmware custom Recovery), the function may not work properly. In this case, it is recommended to reset the settings to factory before activation.

Activation of access guide on Mi TVs TV

On Xiaomi Mi TVs TV (series A2, P1, Q2 The access guide function is called Voice Support and is enabled through the special features menu. The TV version features support for remote control (not just voice control).

Step-by-step:

1. Press the Menu button on the remote (or Settings on some models).
2. Go to Settings. → General. → Special facilities.
3. Choose the voice support (or TalkBack).
4. Activate the function with a button OK remote.
5. Confirm the inclusion by selecting Yes in the window that appears.

After activation:

• 🎤 The TV will read out the names of buttons, menu items and notifications.
• 🔄 To navigate, use the buttons Up/down/Left/Right on the remote.
• 🔇 To temporarily turn off voice, press Mute (but the function will remain active).

💡

If the voice access guide is too quiet, connect to the TV external sound system through the HDMI ARC Or Bluetooth. That'll improve the legibility of the clues.

How to turn off the access guide if it is switched on accidentally

The most common problem is the random activation of the access guide (for example, when you press hot keys or through the menu of special features), in which case the standard gestures stop working, and the interface becomes unusual. Here are 3 ways to return the normal mode:

Method 1: Through settings (if screen is visible)

1. Make a double-touch with a delay on any empty space on the screen.
2. Swipe down with two fingers to open the notification bar.
3. Find the Settings icon (cog) and activate it with a double touch.
4. Go to Special Opportunities → Access guide and disable the function.

Method 2: Hot keys (for smartphones)

On most Xiaomi devices, the guide can be turned off by holding two buttons:

• 🔕 Hold the Loud up. + Loudness down for 3 seconds.
• 🔄 Or keep your food on hold. + Volume up to vibration.

After that, a window will appear with a suggestion to disable the function.

Method 3: Resetting gestures (for MIUI 14+)

If nothing helps:

1. Perform a triple touch with three fingers on the screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select Disable the guide access (double tap).

Setting up an access guide for your needs

By default, the access guide uses standard settings that are not always convenient, such as speech speeds that can be too slow and gestures that are too sensitive, and how to personalize the feature on Xiaomi devices.

1. Changes in voice and speech speed

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Access guide → Settings.
2. Choose Speech.
3. Set up: 🗣️ Voice: male/female, language (Russian, English, etc.). ⏱️ Speed: from 0.5x (very slowly 2x (fast-track). 🔊 Loudness: Regardless of the main sound of the system.

2. Customization of gestures

In the same menu, the Access Guide settings, go to the Gesture Management section.

• 👆 Turn off double touch (replace with single touch).
• ⤴️ Change the direction of swipes for navigation.
• 🔄 Activate scrolling with one finger (instead of two).

Additional functions

Useful options that are often missed:

• 🔍 High contrast: makes text and icons clearer.
• 📱 Enlargement: Triple touch to zoom screen.
• 🎧 Mono-audio: combines sound from both headphones into one (for people with hearing impairments).

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Adjusting the access guide takes 5-10 minutes, but it greatly improves the experience, and it is especially important to calibrate the speed of speech and gesture sensitivity, which will reduce the number of random clicks.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after you set up the right access guide, it can malfunction.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:

If the problem is not resolved, try resetting the availability settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Select Reset Availability Settings (bottom of the list).
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi devices with firmware MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) Access guide function may conflict with Xiao's brand assistant AI. In that case, turn off Xiao. AI application settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about guide access on Xiaomi