How to permanently remove TalkBack on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Why TalkBack is Interfering with Work and Can It Be Safely Deleted?

TalkBack is a standard Android app for visually impaired people that is often activated randomly on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones. Once turned on, the screen begins to voice all actions, gestures stop working in the usual way, and the MIUI interface becomes almost unusable for normal use. Many users face the problem of how not to just turn off, but completely remove TalkBack so that it never starts again - even after system updates.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove TalkBack on Xiaomi in 2026, including methods for different versions. MIUI (12 to 14), and consider the risks and consequences of each approach. It is important to understand that simply turning off the settings does not guarantee that the service will not turn on again after rebooting or resetting. APK through ADB, Disable via Safe Mode and even physically delete firmware files (for power users).

Before you start, check the version of your MIUI: Settings path → About phone → MIUI version. This will help you choose the most suitable method. Also note that some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) after removing TalkBack may have problems with OTA updates – we will also talk about this.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via settings (temporary solution)

If TalkBack is on for the first time and you need to get your phone back to working order, use this method.It doesn't delete the app, but disables it until the next activation (for example, after accidentally pressing Volume up + Volume down for 3 seconds).

Instructions:

• 🔹 Press both volume buttons for 3 seconds, which is the standard combination for calling TalkBack on Xiaomi. If the screen is black, try swiping two fingers down (unlock gesture).
• 🔹 After the voice appears, say “Disable TalkBack” or find the “Disable” button in the upper right corner (to do this, swipe your finger across the screen until you hear “Switch off button").
• 🔹 Confirm the shutdown by tapping twice on the screen (double tap is a standard gesture in TalkBack).
• 🔹 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → TalkBack and deactivate the slider.

⚠️ Note: This method does not delete TalkBack, but only temporarily disables it. The next time you accidentally press the buttons or after you update the system, the service may be activated again.

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If the screen doesn’t respond to touch, try connecting the phone to your computer and controlling it via Mi PC Suite or Adb shell.

Method 2: Delete TalkBack via ADB (for power users)

The most reliable way to completely remove TalkBack is to uninstall its system files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with the bootloader unlocked and USB debugging enabled. If you have never used ADB, follow the instructions carefully - errors can lead to system failure.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Path: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press the version → return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging via USB (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to delete TalkBack: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.marvin.talkback For some versions of MIUI, an additional command may be required: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.touchassistant
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot.

Debugging is on. USB|Xiaomi drivers installed|Download utility ADB|The phone is connected by the original cable|Backup of important data is made-->

⚠️ Note: After removing TalkBack through ADB Some system updates can restore the application. MIUI Repeat the removal procedure or block updates for this package ADB team:

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.marvin.talkback

Method 3: Remove in Safe Mode (without root and ADB)

If you don’t have access to a computer or don’t want to use ADB, you can try removing TalkBack via Safe Mode, a method that doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models, but can help on devices with MIUI 12-14, where TalkBack is installed as a regular app rather than a system app.

How to get into Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button and hold it until the MI logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press Volume down.
4. Keep Volume down until the phone boots into Safe Mode (the screen will read "Safe Mode").

Further action:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find TalkBack (could be called Google TalkBack or Special Features").
• 🗑️ Click "Delete" or "Disable." If the button is inactive, it means the application is system-based, this method will not work.
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

⚠️ Note: On most smartphones, Xiaomi TalkBack is a system application and is not removed in Safe Mode. ADB or resetting settings (see the next section).

Method 4: Resetting to factory settings (radical method)

If no other method has worked, and TalkBack continues to activate spontaneously, the latest solution is a complete reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including apps, photos and accounts, but is guaranteed to return the system to its original state, where TalkBack will be disabled by default.

How to reset:

1. Back up important data (contacts, photos, messages) through Mi Cloud or manually to your computer.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select "Delete all data" and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up the phone as new by skipping the recovery step from the backup (so as not to reset the TalkBack settings).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) After reset, you may need to re-authorize your Mi Account. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Method 5: Physically delete firmware files (for advanced ones)

This method is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP or other customized backup installed. It allows you to permanently delete TalkBack files from the system partition, but requires firmware experience. Errors can lead to a phone "brick"!

Instructions:

1. Install TWRP for your Xiaomi model (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions).
2. Load into the receptacle: turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up.
3. In TWRP, select "Advanced → File Manager".
4. Go to /system/priv-app/ and find the folders: TalkBack Marvin Delete them (swipe for confirmation).
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: After physical deletion of TalkBack system files, some features MIUI (For example, the voice assistant Xiao AI) There is also a high risk of errors in future updates, and use this method only if other options have not helped.

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Delete TalkBack via TWRP — The most radical way, but it is guaranteed to prevent the service from being reactivated, is recommended only for devices that are not planned to update via the service. OTA.

Table: TalkBack removal methods comparison on Xiaomi

Frequent Questions (FAQ)