TalkBack mode on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) is a specialized feature for people with visual impairments that voices all actions on the screen. However, many users activate it accidentally, after which they encounter a problem: the phone stops responding to usual touches, and voice prompts interfere with normal operation. If you are in this situation, do not panic: exit from the mode is possible even without vision, using gesture combinations or connecting to a PC.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable TalkBack on Xiaomi devices, including models with the help of the new device. MIUI 12/13/14 You will learn how to deactivate the function through settings, gestures, voice commands, and what to do if the screen does not respond to touch. 12T, Redmi Note 11, POCO F5).
1.What is TalkBack and why does it turn on itself?
TalkBack is a special feature service from Google integrated into Android, and on Xiaomi smartphones it can be activated:
- 🔄 Accidentally: triple pressing the power button (on some models) or clamping two fingers on the screen.
- 👁️ Through settings: in the section Special Opportunities → TalkBack.
- 📱 After Updating: Sometimes resetting special features settings results in automatic turn on.
- 🔧 When connecting accessories: for example, after synchronization with a smart watch or headphones.
The main problem is changing the logic of the management.
- 👆 One touch highlights an element, not activates it.
- ✌️ Double touch. = single-stroke.
- 🔄 The scroll is carried out by gestures with two fingers.
⚠️ Warning: If you turn on TalkBack for testing and then try to turn it off through the usual menu, it will not work.
Method 1: Disconnect via settings (if the screen is responsive)
If you see a screen and can interact with your phone (albeit with a modified touch logic), follow this instruction:
- Unlock your phone. To do this, swipe two fingers upwards (an analogue of a swipe to unlock).
- Open Settings: Find the Settings icon. Touch it with one finger (hear the beep). Double tap it to open.
- Go to Special Features: Scroll the list with two fingers (up/down swipe). Find TalkBack (voiced as Tockback), Double tap to log in.
- Turn off the function: At the top of the screen, find the switch (sounds like "On"). Tap it with one finger, then double tap it. Confirm the action in the dialog box (double tap on the OK button).
Find the Settings icon (cog)| Open with double tap | Scroll with two fingers to "Special Features" | Find and disable the TalkBack | Double tap-->
If after these actions the phone is still working in TalkBack mode, try restarting the device: press the power button and select Reboot (double touch).
3. Method 2: Gestures for turning off without vision
If you can’t see the screen or it doesn’t respond to touch, use TalkBack’s universal gestures:
| Gesture. | Action. | Example of use |
|---|---|---|
| Double touch and retention | Contextual menu | Open the settings of the element |
| Put two fingers down. | Scroll down | Flick through a page or menu |
| Swipe two fingers left/right | Switching between tabs/screens | Return to the previous screen |
| Triple touch. | Selection of text or element | Select a menu item |
| Swipe your finger at the letter L (left-down) | Go back. | Close the current window |
To turn off TalkBack gestures:
- Swipe two fingers down to open the notification bar.
- Find the TalkBack notification enabled (voiced when you touch).
- Make a double touch on the notification.
- In the window that opens, find the Disable button and activate it with a double touch.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Notification of the enabled TalkBack may not appear, in which case use method 3 or 4.
Method 3: Voice commands (for MIUI 14 and HyperOS)
Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS support voice control in TalkBack mode, to disable the voice function:
- Activate voice assistant: Say, OK, Google or Hello, Xiaomi (depending on your settings). If voice search is disabled, press the Home button (on models with a physical button) or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold.
Turn off TalkBackor
Turn off special facilitiesYes.
If voice commands are not recognized:
- 🔊 Check if the microphone is connected (on some Xiaomi models it can be locked in power saving mode).
- 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (voice assistant requires a connection to handle commands).
- 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
Through settings |Gesters |Voice commands |Connect to PC |Don't know-->
5. Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)
If the screen is not responsive and gestures are not helping, you can turn off TalkBack via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a PC and USB-cable.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
- Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
- Enter the commands in order: adb devices (you should have the name of your device) adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.google.android.marvin.talkback/.TalkBackService:com.xiaomi.accessibility.talkback.TalkBackService adb shell settings put secure accessibility_enabled 0
- Reboot your phone: adb reboot
⚠️ Note: If you have not previously included the Debugging USB In the developer settings, this method won't work. In that case, try method 5.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
6. Method 5: Resetting (extreme case)
If none of these methods work, you'll have to reset to factory settings, and that will delete all the data from your phone, so you'll only use this as a last resort.
How to reset your settings in TalkBack mode:
- Open the settings (double touch on the icon).
- Scroll with two fingers to the About phone section.
- Find Resetting (may be called Resetting and Resetting).
- Select Reset all settings and confirm the action.
If the screen is not responding:
- 🔄 Turn off the phone by pressing the power button.
- 🔧 Press the power button. + Volume up for entrance to Recovery Mode.
- 📱 In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
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Resetting is the last option. Try all other ways before you do this, as you will lose all the data on your phone (photos, contacts, messages).
7. Features for different Xiaomi models
Xiaomi uses different firmware versions (MIUI and HyperOS), which affects the location of TalkBack settings.
| Model/firmware | The Way to TalkBack Settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/14 (HyperOS) | Settings → Special Opportunities → TalkBack | Supports voice shutdown via Xiao AI. |
| Redmi Note 10/11 (MIUI 12-13) | Settings → Additional → Special. opportunities | Triple pressing of the power button turns on/off TalkBack. |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | Settings → System → Special Opportunities | TalkBack gestures may conflict with POCO signature gestures. |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Settings → About the phone → Special. capabilities | There is no voice shutdown, only through gestures or ADB. |
On models with an infrared port (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10T), TalkBack can be activated when using the TV remote control, in which case, turn off the Universal remote in the settings.
8 How to Avoid Inadvertently Turning TalkBack On in the Future
To avoid the problem, do the following preventive actions:
- 🔧 Turn off the hotkeys for TalkBack: Go to Settings → Special opportunities → TalkBack → Settings. Turn off the option Triple press the power button.
- 📱 Set up Accidental Touch Protection: Enable In-Pocket Mode in the screen settings. Activate Accidental Press Protection (available on the screen). MIUI 14+).
- 🔄 Update the firmware: New versions of HyperOS add TalkBack protection.
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If you often give your phone to children, create a separate user profile with limited settings. Go to Settings → System → Multiplayer.