How to turn off the mode for the blind (TalkBack) on Xiaomi: all ways

Have you accidentally activated the visually impaired mode on your Xiaomi and now you can not use your phone properly? The screen has “talked” every team, and the usual gestures stopped working? Don’t panic – this situation is familiar to thousands of users. TalkBack mode (or “Screen announcer” in Russian firmware) can really turn a normal smartphone work into a real quest, especially if you don’t know how to turn it off.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to deactivate the blind on Xiaomi in 2026, including standard settings, emergency switch gestures, and even computer-based methods. We’ll focus on the nuances of different versions of MIUI — 12 to 14 — and smartphone models (from Redmi Note to Xiaomi 13). If you’re reading this on another device because your Xiaomi is “locked” by a voice assistant, just follow the instructions in order.

What is TalkBack Mode and Why Does It Turn On?

TalkBack Mode (often called Screen Narrator or Special Opportunities for the Visually Impaired in Russian firmware) is an Android feature designed for people with visual problems. It voices all the actions on the screen: taps, swipes, opening apps and even text in messages. On Xiaomi, this mode can be activated:

• 🎯 Accidentally – for example, if you quickly press the volume buttons when the screen is off (combination Volume up). + Loudness down is held for 3 seconds).
• 👶 Children or elderly relatives – due to curiosity or carelessness in settings.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI — Sometimes resets of special features are automatically.
• 🛠️ Due to a system failure - rarely, but it happens that the mode turns on itself after a restart.

The problem is that with TalkBack activated, standard MIUI gestures work differently, like one tap on the screen now highlights the element and a double tap activates it, which confuses even experienced users, and fortunately, you can turn off mode in a number of ways, from simple to emergency.

Method 1: Standard Disconnection through Settings (if screen is available)

If you can still interact with the screen (albeit with the voiceover of each action), try to disable TalkBack via the settings menu. In MIUI 12/13/14, the path looks like this:

1. Unlock your phone (if the screen is locked, use a fingerprint or PIN-Code – TalkBack does not block unlocking).
2. Make a double tap on the Settings icon (one will only highlight it).
3. In the settings menu, find the Special Features section (may be called Universal Access on some firmware).
4. Select Screencaster (or TalkBack).
5. Move the slider to the off position.
6. Confirm the action in the window that appears (again, double tap).

If you don’t see the Special Features section on the home settings screen, try:

• 🔍 Enter the search by settings (laptop) query "TalkBack».
• 📱 On some models (Redmi 9, Poco) X3) The path may be: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Special facilities.

Important! Some MIUI firmware may require a phone reboot after TalkBack is disabled, and if the screen continues to talk, manually reboot.

Method 2: Gestures for emergency shutdown (if the screen is unresponsive)

If you can’t find settings due to the voiceover of each action or the screen doesn’t respond to the usual touches at all, use special gestures to disable TalkBack. These work on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and newer:

1. With two fingers, swipe the screen from top to bottom (as if you close the notification curtain, but with two fingers at the same time) and this will open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Find the TalkBack icon (usually an icon with a person in a circle or an eye) and it can be hidden under the “More” button (three dots).
3. Double tap the icon, turn off the mode.

If this method does not work, try an alternative gesture:

• 👆 Hold two fingers on the screen for 3 seconds, then swipe them down.
• 🔊 In the window that appears, find the button Suspend voiceover (double touch).
• 📵 You will now have 5-10 seconds to quickly go into settings and turn off the mode completely (see Method 1).

💡

If the gestures don’t work, try connecting your phone to charge – sometimes this will unlock additional options in the notification bar.

On the Xiaomi 12/13 and Redmi Note 11/12 models, another trick can work:

1. Press the Power button for 5 seconds to call the off menu.
2. Without releasing the power button, double tap select Reboot.
3. After restarting, TalkBack can be turned off automatically (works in 30% of cases).

Method 3: Disconnecting with Google Assistant (voice commands)

If your Xiaomi has Google Assistant set up (or Alice from Yandex), you can turn off TalkBack with voice, which works even if the screen is completely blocked by voiceover.

1. Activate voice assistant: For Google Assistant: say "OK, Google" or hold the Home button (if you have one on your model). For Alice: say "Hi, Alice."
2. Dictate the team: 📱 «Turn off TalkBack» 📱 «Turn off the screen announcer» 📱 «Open the special features settings (then manually find TalkBack).

Yes.

Confirmed.

If the voice assistant does not respond:

• 🔊 Make sure the microphone is not silenced (check the physical switch on the phone if there is one).
• 📶 Check your internet connection (voice commands require network access).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

Attention! Some MIUI firmware (especially Chinese ones) may have limited voice commands. If Google Assistant doesn't work, try using Alice or another assistant.

Method 4: Disconnect via computer (ADB or Mi PC Suite)

If all the previous methods didn't work, you'd have to connect Xiaomi to a computer, which requires a little bit of technical skill, but it's 100 percent effective.

• 💻 Computer with Windows or Mac.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Programme ADB (Android Debug Bridge or Mi PC Suite.

Method 1: Mi PC Suite (Simple)

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite from the official website.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (allow debugging over USB on your phone if you request it).
3. In the program, select the Device → Special Opportunities settings.
4. Uncheck TalkBack and save the changes.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If the Mi PC Suite can’t see the phone or can’t turn off the mode, use ADB:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and enable USB Debugging (if the screen responds, path: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type:

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


adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 0

After completing the commands, restart the phone – TalkBack will be disabled.

Method 5: Resetting settings (extreme case)

If none of these methods work, you have to reset to factory settings, which is a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to turn off TalkBack.

• 📱 All data on the phone will be deleted (photos, contacts, messages).
• 🔒 Mi Account must be linked to the device (required to unlock after resetting).
• 🔄 After reset, the phone will return to the factory firmware (may need an update).

Instructions for resetting via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, choose the power button) select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Select Reboot to reboot.

Attention! On some models (Xiaomi 11/12/13, Redmi K50), a Recovery reset may require you to enter a password from Mi Account.

If you’re afraid of losing data, try backing up your phone via Mi Cloud first (if your phone is responsive to commands).

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup (double touch!).
2. Select Backup in Mi Cloud and save important data.

How to avoid accidentally turning on TalkBack in the future?

To never again face the problem of spontaneously turning on the regime for the blind, follow these tips:

• 🔕 Turn off the volume button combination: Go to Settings → Special facilities → Find the TalkBack option and turn it off.
• 👶 Set up parental controls (if children use the phone): Install the Google Family Link app. Limit access to special features settings.

Update MIUI

TalkBack

Use a case with a button lock

Redmi Note

Poco

You can also install a third-party app to quickly disable TalkBack, such as:

• 🛠️ QuickShortcutMaker – allows you to create a shortcut to disable the mode.
• 🔧 Accessibility Shortcut – Adds a button to the notification panel.