How to turn off TalkBack on Xiaomi: all working ways in 2026

Why TalkBack is turned on and how to fix it

TalkBack is a standard Android feature for visually impaired people, but on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO), it is often activated by accident. Just press the power button three times or press two volume keys - and the phone begins to voice each touch, turning ordinary use into anguish.

The problem is compounded by the fact that with TalkBack enabled, standard gestures stop working: one tap highlights the element, and a double tap activates it. Even turning off the function becomes a non-trivial task. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to disable TalkBack on Xiaomi in 2026, including methods for locked screens, children's accounts and devices with a damaged display.

Important: If you're not familiar with TalkBack, don't be in a hurry to turn it off completely. In some cases (for example, when setting up a phone for elderly relatives), it's enough to adjust your speech speed or turn off gestures to make the function more convenient.

Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings

If the screen is unlocked and you see the interface, follow this instruction:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Special Opportunities section (on some firmwares – Additional → Special. features).
3. Tap on TalkBack (or the Screen Narrator on MIUI 14+).
4. Move the slider to the off position and confirm the action.

On MIUI 13/14, the path may differ: Settings → System → Special features → TalkBack. If there is no item, use the settings search (the magnifier in the upper right corner).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) If the phone doesn't respond to touch, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force it to shut down.

Method 2: Disconnect via Quick Settings (if available)

The fastest method is to use the notification panel:

1. Swipe two fingers from the top of the screen down to open the panel.
2. Find the TalkBack icon (usually a person with a circle or a speaker).
3. Slap it once, then confirm the disconnect.

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

• 🔧 Open the full notification bar (swipe down twice).
• 📌 Click on the pencil (Edit).
• 🔍 Find TalkBack in the list and drag it to the active area.

On the POCO F5 and newer models, the icon may be called Voice Assistant or Screen Speaker. If the panel doesn't open, try a two-finger gesture from the bottom edge of the screen up.

Method 3: Disconnect from the locked screen

If TalkBack is activated on a locked phone, the algorithm changes:

1. Unlock the screen in the standard way (PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint).
2. Immediately after unlocking, swipe two fingers from the top of the screen down to open the notification bar.
3. Find the TalkBack notification active and tap it twice (one tap is a choice, two is an activation).
4. In the window that opens, move the slider to the off position.

If the screen does not respond to gestures:

• 🔋 Connect the charger – sometimes this will unlock the sensor.
• 📱 Try connecting Xiaomi to your computer and managing it via Mi PC Suite.
• 🔄 Hold the power button for 30 seconds for a hard reboot (no data is lost).

Method 4: Disconnecting with Google Assistant (for new models)

On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 14 and later (for example, Xiaomi 13T, Redmi K60) you can use voice commands:

1. Say, OK, Google or hold the Home button (if you have one).
2. Say: Turn off TalkBack or turn off the screen announcer.
3. Confirm the action with a voice or tap.

If Google Assistant does not respond:

• 🔊 Check if it is enabled in the settings (Settings) → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice).
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🎤 Restart the Google app in the app settings.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware for China (China) ROM) Google Assistant is disabled by default. In this case, use the method ADB (section).

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If TalkBack turns on itself after the reboot, check the settings for the special features for "Quick Access" (three presses of the power button). Turn it off in Settings → Special features → Quick access

Method 5: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, on Xiaomi with custom firmware), you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge requires a computer and USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and type in the command line: adb shell settings put secure enabled_accessibility_services com.google.android.marvin.talkback/.TalkBackService:0
4. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.marvin.talkback

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Using ADB is the most reliable way to disable TalkBack on custom firmware or if the screen is not responsive to touch, but it requires pre-configuring the debugging over USB.

Method 6: Resetting settings (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 it as a last resort.

How to reset settings with TalkBack enabled:

1. Turn off the phone by holding the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

After discharge:

• 📱 Set up your phone as new.
• 🔒 Turn off TalkBack in the initial menu (usually offered at the stage of setting up special features).
• ☁️ Restore data from backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Recovery reset requires you to enter a password from your Mi Account. If you don’t remember it, use the official unlock service account.xiaomi.com.

How to Prevent TalkBack Inadvertently Included in the Future

TalkBack is no longer activated by itself.

• 🔑 Turn off Quick Access in Special Options settings (path: Settings) → Special opportunities → Quick access → TalkBack).
• 👶 If your child is using the phone, create a child profile through Settings. → Accounts. → Children's mode and limit access to settings.
• 🛡️ Set a password for settings (Settings) → System system → Blocking settings - available on MIUI 14+).
• 📱 Wear a case with protection against accidental pressing (for example, with high sides around the buttons).

On the POCO M5 and other models with a physical button, you can turn off its response to a long press:

1. Go to Settings → Buttons and gestures → Assistant button.
2. Choose to Disable or assign another action.

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Create a TalkBack disable shortcut on the home screen: add the Settings widget → select Special Features → tap TalkBack. Now you can turn off the feature in one click.

FAQ: Frequent questions about TalkBack on Xiaomi