TalkBack mode on Xiaomi smartphones is a specialized feature for visually impaired users that voices all actions on the screen. However, many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices accidentally activate it, after which they encounter difficulties: the phone starts to βtalkβ every touch, gestures work differently, and standard navigation methods stop working. If you are in this situation, do not panic: it takes only a couple of minutes to exit TalkBack, if you know the correct sequence of actions.
In this article, weβll break down all the current ways to turn TalkBack off on Xiaomi in 2026, including methods for locking the screen, through Settings, using physical buttons and even resetting to factory settings (if other options didnβt work). Instructions are suitable for all modern models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagships. Youβll also learn how to prevent accidental switching on in the future and what to do if the smartphone does not respond to touch.
Why does TalkBack turn on on its own?
Many users wonder how the visually impaired function could have been activated without their knowledge, and there are actually a few common reasons:
- π― Triple press of the power button: on some Xiaomi models (for example, the power button, POCO X5 Or Redmi 10) the TalkBack is enabled by a quick triple click on the lock button, which is convenient for people with disabilities, but often works by accident, for example, when the phone is in your pocket.
- πΆ Children or Pets: Curious toddlers or cats playing with the device can clamp the screen in unexpected combinations, activating the mode.
- π Resetting: After returning to factory settings, some special features are enabled by default.
- π¦ Update MIUI: rarely, but it happens that after installing a new firmware version, TalkBack is activated automatically due to a failure.
If you're not a user who really needs this mode, you'd better turn it off as soon as it's detected, and we'll show you how to do it as quickly as possible.
Method 1: Standard Disconnection through Settings (if the screen is unlocked)
If your Xiaomi is unlocked and you can interact with the screen (albeit with the voice of each action), use this method. It is the simplest and works on all versions of MIUI from 12 to 14.
- Open the Settings (cog icon) in TalkBack mode, you touch the screen with one finger and hold until you hear the name of the app, then double tap.
- Scroll down to the Special Features section (some versions of MIUI call Universal Access) and swipe with two fingers on the up/down screen.
- Inside the section, find TalkBack (or Screen Narrator) and double tap it.
- At the top of the screen will be an On/Off slider..Tap it once, then double tap to turn off the function.
- Confirm the action in the window that appears by pressing OK (again, double tap).
After that, the phone will stop sounding the actions, and you can use it as normal. If this method does not work (for example, due to a locked screen), move to the next method.
βοΈ Preparing to shut down TalkBack
Method 2: Disconnect from the locked screen (without entering a password)
If TalkBack is activated on a locked phone and you donβt remember the pattern lock or PIN-code, don't rush to reset the device to factory settings. There's a workaround that works on most Xiaomi models (except the newest ones). MIUI 14 and Android 13+).
You'll need physical phone buttons. Follow the instructions:
- On a locked screen, press the power button and the volume button for 10-15 seconds at the same time, which will trigger a reboot menu (Fastboot or Recovery).
- In the Recovery menu (if it appears), select Wipe data with the volume buttons and confirm the power button.
- If you have a Fastboot menu, plug your phone into your computer and use MiFlash to flash it back, which is more complex and requires skill.
β οΈ Warning: Recovery will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps. If your phone is synced to Mi Account, after reset, you will need to enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account, otherwise the device will remain locked.
If youβre not willing to sacrifice data, try the next way β disable TalkBack through Google Assistant.
Method 3: Using Google Assistant (for MIUI 12β14)
On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later (e.g. Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12T), you can disable TalkBack using Googleβs voice assistant, which works even on a locked screen if you previously configured access to Google Assistant.
Instructions:
- Activate Google Assistant by saying βOK Googleβ or by pressing the Home button (if physical).
- Say the command: βDisable TalkBackβ or βSwitch off the screen announcer.β
- If the assistant requests confirmation, answer βYes.β
If Google Assistant is not responding, check:
- π Is the microphone on (the indicator should be green when the voice is activated).
- π Is there an Internet connection (without it, the assistant does not work).
- π Has voice activation been previously configured in Google settings.
This is one of the fastest, but it requires you to pre-set up Google Assistant, and if you've never used a voice assistant, move on to the next one.
π‘
If Google Assistant doesnβt recognize the command, try saying βOpen Special Options Settingsβ and then manually search the TalkBack section.
Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods do not work and data reset is undesirable, you can disable TalkBack via the ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires a computer, USB-Cable and basic command line knowledge, suitable for all Xiaomi models, including POCO F5 redmi K60.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
- Turn on the developer mode on the phone (if it is not already activated): go to Settings β About Phone β MIUI version and click on it 7 times.
- Return to Settings β Additional β For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
- Open the command line (cmd on Windows) and type: adb devices If the device is defined, execute the command: adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.google.android.marvin.talkback/com.google.android.marvin.talkback.TalkBackService:com.xiaomi.accessibility/com.xiaomi.unlock.TalkBackService Then disable the service: adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.marvin.talkback
| Team team. | Description | Note |
|---|---|---|
| adb devices | Checking connected devices | The serial number of your Xiaomi should be displayed. |
| adb shell settings put... | Resetting special features settings | It only works on an unlocked phone. |
| adb shell pm disable-user... | Disconnecting TalkBack service | Root rights are required on some firmware |
β οΈ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system failures if you give the wrong commands. If you're not sure what you're doing, you better use other ways.
Method 5: Hardware reset (if nothing helps)
If all previous methods failed, the last option is hard reset, which will return the phone to factory settings by deleting all data, but it is guaranteed to disable TalkBack, which is suitable for any Xiaomi model, including the Redmi 9A, POCO M4 Pro and Mi 11 Lite.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
- Press the power button + volume button at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- In the Recovery menu (manage volume buttons, choose the power button) select: π Wipe Data β Wipe All Data (complete reset). β Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
Once reset, the phone will reboot in factory condition. Set it up as new.
If you reset your phone and require a Mi Account, use the previously associated Xiaomi account. Without it, you can not unlock the device - this is a measure of protection against theft.
What if the phone asks for an old password after reset?
How to Prevent TalkBack Inadvertently Included in the Future
To avoid having to deal with an unexpected TalkBack activation, set your phone up in advance:
- π§ Turn off quick gestures: go to Settings β Special facilities β Special Features Gestures and Deactivate the option Triple Press of the Power button.
- πΆ Use Child Mode: If children often take the phone, turn on Parental Controls in your security settings.
- π Set up a screen lock: even a simple one PIN-code or pattern lock will protect against accidental clicks.
- π± Update. MIUI: In new versions of firmware bugs with spontaneous inclusion TalkBack are less common.
It is also useful to remember the hot keys for emergency shutdown:
- π Press both volume buttons for 3 seconds β this will turn off the sound on some models.
- π Double tapping on the screen with two fingers sometimes stops TalkBack temporarily.
π‘
The most common reason for accidentally turning on TalkBack is triple pressing the power button. Turn off this option in the settings to avoid repeated problems.