How to disable TalkBack on a locked Xiaomi phone: working methods 2026

You turned on TalkBack on your Xiaomi by accident — or did a child do it — and now you can't unlock your phone? The screen doesn't respond to touch the way it normally does, the voice constantly comments on every action, and you can't type in a PIN- code or pattern lock, and that gets complicated if you don't know how to turn it off without accessing settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to deactivate TalkBack on a locked Xiaomi, including the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5, Mi 11/12 and others. Importantly, the methods differ depending on the version of MIUI and the type of lock (PIN, pattern lock, password). Some solutions require a connection to a PC, others work directly on the phone – choose the appropriate option.

Before you start, consider that if TalkBack is activated along with FRP, standard methods may not work, and that would require additional training, as you can read about FRP bypass.

What is TalkBack and Why Does It Block Your Phone?

TalkBack is a special feature service from Google designed for people with visual impairments, it voices all actions on the screen, changes control gestures and can be accidentally activated when:

• 👶 Children playing with their phones (triple press of power button or two fingers clamping).
• 📱 Failed attempts to use gestures MIUI (e.g. swipe down with two fingers).
• 🔄 Automatically turn on after system update (bug in MIUI 14/15).

The problem is that with TalkBack on:

• 🔐 The PIN- code input logic changes: double tap or swipe instead of the usual tap.
• 🗣️ Voice prompts prevent you from focusing on unlocking.
• ⚙️ Standard settings are no longer available without special gestures.

Xiaomi with MIUI 12 and later TalkBack is integrated deeper than the stock Android. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, it can not be disabled via Quick Settings if the screen is locked. So you have to use workarounds.

Method 1: Disable TalkBack via Lock screen (without PC)

If you have a pattern lock or PIN- code, try this method.It works on most Xiaomi models with MIUI 11-14, but requires precise gesture execution.

Steps:

1. On the double tap lock screen (not single!), tap the PIN- code input field. TalkBack should say, "Password field."
2. Enter PIN- code using double taps for each digit. Between taps pause in 1 for a second.
3. Once unlocked, swipe two fingers down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
4. Find the TalkBack icon (usually in the form of an eyeball or a person with audio waves) and double tap tap it.
5. In the window that appears, use the double tap again to confirm the disconnection.

If the screen doesn’t respond to double taps, try an alternative gesture:

• 👆 Swipe up + hold with one finger (to highlight an element).
• 👆👆 Double swipe up (for activation).

Important: On some models (e.g., POCO F4), you need to zig-zag your finger across the screen after entering PIN- to confirm unlocking, which is due to additional protection MIUI.

Method 2: Using the Google Assistant Voice

If your Xiaomi has Google Assistant activated (even when it is locked), you can try to disable TalkBack with voice.This method works on MIUI 13/14 with Google Play Services preinstalled.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, say “OK, Google” or press the power button for 2 seconds to activate the Assistant.
2. After the beep, say “Disable TalkBack” or “Switch off special features.”
3. If the Assistant requests confirmation, say yes or I confirm.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• ❌ Does not work if Google Play Services are disabled or voice command restrictions are in place.
• ❌ The Assistant may not respond to Xiaomi for the Chinese market (Global ROM without GMS.

If voice commands don’t work, try an alternative:

1. Activate the Assistant and say, “Open settings.”
2. When the settings menu opens, say “Special Features” → “TalkBack” → “Disable.”

💡

If Google Assistant doesn't respond to commands, try to pronounce them more slowly and clearly, sometimes rebooting your phone helps (press the power button + increase the volume for 10 seconds).

Method 3: Connecting to a PC and using ADB

If the previous methods didn't work, you'd have to plug Xiaomi into your computer and use the ADB- commands. This is a universal way, but it requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect your phone to your PC. On the lock screen Xiaomi will request permission to debug over USB – confirm it (if the screen responds to touch).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
4. Run the command to disable TalkBack: adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.google.android.marvin.talkback/com.google.android.marvin.talkback.TalkBackService:com.google.android.accessibility.switchaccess/SwitchAccessService Then: adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.marvin.talkback
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Warning: If TalkBack is activated again after the reboot, the phone has autoreset function on, in which case only a full reset will help.

Method 4: Resetting settings via Recovery Mode

If none of the methods worked, it leaves a hard reset via Recovery Mode, which will delete all data from the phone, but is guaranteed to disable TalkBack, suitable for all Xiaomi models, including Redmi, POCO and Mi.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button + increase the volume for 10 seconds).
2. Press the power button + increase volume and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if required) and go to Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Phones with FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will need to enter the Google account that was previously linked after reset. If you don't remember the password, read the section on the bypass FRP.

🔹 Alternative for new models: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro+), there may be a Format Data option instead of Wipe Data. Choose it if a standard reset doesn't help.

Method 5: Bypassing FRP after reset (if required)

If, after resetting via Recovery, the phone requests Google account data that you don't remember, you'll need to bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

Method 1: Using the emergency call menu

1. On the Google account entry screen, click Emergency Call.
2. Dial ##4636## and the test menu will open.
3. Go back and try to open Settings through the notification bar.
4. Go to Accounts → Add an account and create a new Google account.

Method 2: Use of the OTG-cable and file manager

• 🔌 Connect to the phone OTG- a cable with a flash drive on which the APK- File Manager file (e.g., FX Explorer) is located.
• 📁 Install the file manager through the explorer that appears on the screen.
• 🔍 Through the manager, find the file /data/data/com.google.android.gsf/databases/gservices.db and delete it.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone and the FRP request disappears.

⚠️ Warning: Bypassing FRP may violate Google’s terms of use. On new Xiaomi models (e.g., the Redmi Note 12 Turbo), these techniques may not work due to updated security mechanisms, in which case an official unlock through the service center will be required.

Method 6: Complete Fastboot Firmware (for Advanced)

If all the previous methods didn't work, you just have to reflash your phone on Fastboot.

• ✅ Guaranteed to remove TalkBack.
• ❌ Will erase all data.
• ❌ Will require unlocking the bootloader (on some models).

What you need:

• 🖥️ PC with Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 📥 Official firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 Unlocked boot loader (for some models)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode (clip the power + volume reduction).
2. Connect to your PC and check that the device is command-defined: fastboot devices
3. Unpack the firmware in the folder and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash.
5. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

🔹 Important: On models with a locked bootloader (e.g., POCO X3 Pro), you need to unlock the bootloader before you run the firmware through the official Mi Unlock app, which will take up to 72 hours to wait for confirmation from Xiaomi.

💡

Fastboot flashing is the most reliable way to remove TalkBack, but it requires technical skills. If you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better go to a service center.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to disable TalkBack, users often make the following mistakes:

🔹 Tip: If the phone still behaves strangely after TalkBack is turned off (for example, gestures are not working correctly), calibrate the screen. To do this, go to Settings → System → Gestures → Screen Calibration.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions