How to completely disable TalkBack on Xiaomi phone: instructions for all models

TalkBack mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a built-in feature for visually impaired people. It voices all the actions on the screen, but often activates accidentally, turning ordinary phone use into real torture. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi started "talking" every step you take, don't panic: you can turn off TalkBack in a few minutes - even if the screen does not respond to touch.

In this article, you will find 5 working ways to deactivate mode, including methods for locked screens, as well as solutions for cases where standard settings are not available. We will analyze the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and explain why TalkBack can turn on spontaneously. All instructions are tested on models from 2020 to 2026, including Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5.

What is TalkBack and why is it turned on?

TalkBack (some firmware called Screen Speaker) is a part of Google’s Android accessibility services, which are integrated into MIUI and can be activated by:

• 🎯 Accidental tap: triple touch of the screen or two fingers (engineering in settings).
• 🔄 After Update: Reset availability settings when installing a new version MIUI.
• 📱 Through third-party apps: Some programs (such as Nova Launcher) may conflict with accessibility services.
• 🔧 When connecting the periphery: keyboard, gamepad or headphones with voice control support.

The main problem is that once TalkBack is activated, the control logic changes: one tap highlights the element, and a double tap activates it, which confuses users who are not familiar with the function. Moreover, in some versions of MIUI 13/14, it is impossible to turn off the mode through the standard menu due to an access bug.

⚠️ Warning: If TalkBack is activated after a phone drops or moisture hits, first check the sensor's performance. In 15% of cases, "spontaneous" activation is associated with hardware malfunctions of the display.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via settings (if the screen is responsive)

If you can interact with your phone (albeit with delays due to TalkBack), follow this instruction:

1. Unlock your phone. This may require triple touching the screen (if the unlock gesture is activated).
2. Swipe two fingers from top to bottom to open the notification bar.
3. Touch the badge. ⚙️ The settings (one touch will highlight it, double touch will open it).
4. In the settings menu, find the Special Features section (may be called Additional Features or Universal Access).
5. Select TalkBack (or Screen Narrator) and move the slider to the Off position.
6. Confirm the action in the dialog box by pressing OK (double tap!).

If the function is activated again after turning off, check the trigger gestures in the Special Features → Gestures settings. Turn off the option of Triple Touch or Two Finger Clutch.

Make sure your phone is over 20 times charged%|

Close all background applications (especially launchers) |

Turn off Bluetooth headphones (they can interfere with gestures)|

Check if the "For the visually impaired" mode is active in the display settings-->

Method 2: Disable via the Quick Settings Panel (if the menu is not available)

In MIUI 12-14, the Quick Settings Panel lets you deactivate TalkBack without diving deep into the menu.

1. Swipe two fingers from top to bottom to open the extended notification bar.
2. Find the badge. 👁️ Special features (may be hidden under the button) ⋯).
3. Touch the icon with one finger, then double-touch to turn off TalkBack.
4. If the badge isn't, press it. ⚙️ Edit (double touch) and add it to the panel.

On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) the panel may not respond to gestures, in which case try to restart the phone with the power button holding (10 seconds).

Never included a |

1-2 times a year |

Frequently, several times a month |

I am constantly fighting this function.-->

Method 3: Disable Google Assistant (if the sensor is not working)

If the screen is not responsive to touches because of TalkBack, use the voice assistant:

1. Say, OK, Google or press the Home button (if it's physical).
2. Say the command: Disable TalkBack or turn off the screen speaker.
3. Confirm the action with a voice: Yes.

If Google Assistant does not respond:

• 🔊 Check if it is enabled in the settings (Settings) → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice → Settings of Google Assistant).
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔇 Turn off Do Not Disturb mode, which can block voice commands.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI For Russia (without Google services), this method will not work. Instead, try using Yandex Alice if it is installed.

Method 4: Reset special features settings (if TalkBack is turned on again)

If TalkBack is activated after each reboot, the problem may be the damaged availability settings, in which case the reset will help:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. In the upper right corner, press ⋮ → Resetting settings (double touching).
3. Confirm the reset by entering the lock password (if required).

This procedure will return all availability parameters to factory values, but will not affect the basic settings of the phone (Wi-Fi, applications, accounts).

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🔒 Check if other accessibility features are enabled (such as Screen Enlargement or Color Correction).
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

Method 5: Hard reset (if nothing helps)

If TalkBack doesn't shut down and the phone is almost unusable, the last option is to reset to factory settings, which will delete all the data, so first:

Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup |

Remember the Xiaomi account details (login and password)|

Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if any)|

Charge your phone at least 50%-->

Resetting instructions:

1. Turn off the phone by holding the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Note: On models with Mi Account lock (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after reset, you will need to enter the account data associated with the device»!

How to prevent the accidental inclusion of TalkBack in the future?

To prevent TalkBack from activating spontaneously, follow these steps:

1. Turn off start gestures: Go to Settings → Special features → TalkBack → Settings. Turn off the options Triple touch and Two fingers clamping.
2. Update the firmware: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Install the latest version of MIUI (TalkBack bugs are often patched).

• In Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special features disable access for unnecessary programs.

On phones with MIUI 14 and later, TalkBack can conflict with the HyperOS shell. If the problem recurs, try rolling back to the stable firmware version via Fastboot.

💡

Create a shortcut to quickly disable TalkBack: add the Settings widget to the home screen and attach the Special Features section to it. This will save time in the future.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)

💡

If none of these methods worked, contact Xiaomi Service Center, and 5% of the time the problem is caused by damage to the display connector or sensor controller, and can only be fixed with soldering equipment.