How to Disable TalkBack on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Use All Models (2026)

TalkBack is an integrated Android feature for visually impaired people that voices all actions on the screen. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, it can activate accidentally — for example, when you repeatedly press the power button or through special features settings. If you encounter a phone that starts to “talk” every touch you touch, don’t worry: you can turn off TalkBack in a few steps.

The main challenge is that with the voice assistant enabled, standard touchscreen management changes. For example, one tap now highlights an element and a double tap now activates it. This confuses many users, especially if the feature turned on on itself. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to disable TalkBack on Xiaomi devices, including models with MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, and also look at typical errors and their solutions.

Important: If you are trying to help someone else (such as an elderly relative), note that some methods require knowing the password from your Mi Account or pattern lock, and we will also provide tips on how to prevent accidental inclusion of the feature in the future.

1. Standard method: through settings of special features

This is the easiest method, but it only works if you can unlock the screen and remember how to use TalkBack gestures.

1. Unlock your smartphone. If the screen is locked with a pattern lock, swipe it twice (the first touch will highlight the key, the second will unlock).
2. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the notification bar. Then swipe down again to turn it around.
3. Find the badge. ⚙️ Settings (it can be hidden behind a swipe to the left). Tap it once to highlight, then twice to open.
4. In the settings menu, scroll the list with two fingers (one scrolling finger doesn’t work!) to the Special Features section (or Additional Settings → Special Features on older versions of MIUI).
5. Inside the section, find TalkBack (may be called Voice Assistant or Screen Narrator). Tap the switch once, then twice, to turn off.

If the switch is not active or gray, it means that the function is blocked by the device administrator (for example, through Find My Device or corporate policy).

Battery charge > 20%|I know the password from Mi Account.|There's a backup of the data.|Connection to the Wi-Fi/mobile-->

2. Disconnect through the Quick Settings Panel

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11, POCO X5), the TalkBack icon is displayed in the Quick Settings Panel.

• 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen twice to open the panel.
• 🔍 Find an icon with an eye or microphone (TalkBack).
• 👆 Tap the icon once, then twice to turn off.

If the icon is not present, it can be added:

1. Open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Press on. ✏️ Edit (twice!).
3. Find TalkBack on the list and drag it to the active area.

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If the Quick Settings Panel doesn’t open, try using the two-finger-down gesture – it works even with TalkBack enabled.

3. Reset control gestures (for MIUI 14 and HyperOS)

Newer versions of Xiaomi firmware have a gesture reset feature that can help if TalkBack blocks access to settings.This method works on Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and later:

1. Press the Power button and the Volume button up simultaneously for 10 seconds until the Fastboot menu appears.
2. From the menu, select Recovery Mode (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection).
3. In Recovery, find Wipe & Reset → Reset Gestures.
4. Confirm action. Once the reboot is over, the controls will reset to the factory, and TalkBack will shut down.

⚠️ Note: This method does not delete data, but resets all customized gestures (e.g., swipes for a camera or flashlight) that will have to be reconfigured.

4. Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard methods do not work, you can use them. ADB (This method requires a computer and USB-cable, but guaranteed to work even on locked devices.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB, enable Debugging over USB (if the screen is unlocked, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times to activate the developer mode).
3. Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder 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 Next: adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 0
4. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If USB debugging has been disabled and the screen is locked, this method won’t work – a reset via Recovery will be required.

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5.Extreme measure: reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If none of these methods work, it's a complete reset, and it will delete all the data, including photos, messages and apps, so only use it as a last resort.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Warning: After Hard Reset, the device will require input from the Mi Account if the account was previously linked!

How to prevent accidental switching on TalkBack

To prevent the function from activating on its own, follow a few simple steps:

• 🔒 Turn off fast turn on in special features settings: go to Settings → Special facilities → TalkBack → Settings and deactivate the option Triple press to enable.
• 📱 Check the trigger gestures: some cases or security windows may accidentally touch the sensors.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI There were bugs with TalkBack spontaneously enabled. → The phone. → Updating the system.

You can also install a third-party application to block random clicks, such as Button Remapper or MacroDroid, but these require ADB or root rights.

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Check your special features settings regularly after MIUI updates – they are sometimes reset to factory ones.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the instructions, users are facing problems.

• 🚫 "I can't unlock the screen" → Use the method with ADB If the screen responds to touch, try double-taping each digit.
• 🔇 "TalkBack is turned on itself after the reboot" → This is a sign of a firmware failure. perform a reset via Recovery (without deleting data) or reflash the device via the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 "The computer can't see the phone. ADB" → Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers, turn on Debugging by USB and select File Transfer Mode when connected.

If the problem persists, check the device for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes) - some Trojans change the settings of special features.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions