TalkBack is Google’s built-in screen reader on Android. It reads the screen aloud and changes how taps and swipes work, which helps when you cannot see the display but confuses people who turned it on by accident.
To turn TalkBack off right now: press and hold both volume keys for about 3 seconds (confirm again if the phone prompts you) when the TalkBack volume shortcut is enabled, or say “Hey Google, turn off TalkBack” when Google Assistant is set up. If the shortcut does nothing, use Settings below or try the other method.
Quick steps to turn off TalkBack
- Volume shortcut (fastest): Press and hold volume up and volume down together for about 3 seconds. If you hear a prompt, hold both keys again for 3 seconds to confirm. Google documents this shortcut in Turn on TalkBack help.
- Google Assistant: Say “Hey Google,” then “Turn off TalkBack” or “OK Google, turn off TalkBack.”
- Settings: Open Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack, then turn off Use TalkBack. With TalkBack active, focus an item with one tap, double tap to activate, and scroll with two fingers. Google’s Turn off TalkBack guide walks through this path step by step.
Turn off TalkBack with the volume keys
During setup, Android lets you enable TalkBack by holding both volume buttons. After setup, the same gesture usually toggles TalkBack off when the TalkBack shortcut is enabled.
If nothing happens, the shortcut may be off. Use Google Assistant or Settings instead, then enable TalkBack shortcut under Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack only if you want the volume keys to control TalkBack later.
Turn off TalkBack with Google Assistant
- Say “Hey Google” (or use your Assistant gesture).
- Say “Turn off TalkBack.”
Assistant must already be set up on the device. This matches Google’s TalkBack help for toggling TalkBack by voice.
Turn off TalkBack in Settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility, then TalkBack.
- Turn off Use TalkBack. With TalkBack on, double tap the switch and confirm Turn off.
Menu names can vary slightly by Android version and manufacturer, but Accessibility and TalkBack are consistent on stock Android and most OEM skins.
Samsung Galaxy and One UI
Samsung Galaxy phones ship with the same TalkBack engine, but One UI labels and paths differ on older releases.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| One UI 3.1 and newer | Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack, then turn off the switch (double tap if TalkBack is already reading the screen). |
| Older One UI (Voice Assistant) | Settings, Accessibility, Screen reader, Voice Assistant, then turn the switch off with double taps. |
| Volume shortcut | Press and hold volume up and volume down for at least 3 seconds. Tap Use on the first prompt if shown, then repeat the shortcut. |
| Quick entry to Settings | Swipe down with two fingers, open Settings, then follow the TalkBack or Voice Assistant path above. |
Samsung’s TalkBack on Galaxy devices support article matches these shortcuts and Settings paths.
Stuck in TalkBack or TalkBack keeps turning on
Screen feels locked: TalkBack is still running. Use the volume key shortcut first. If that fails, plug in a USB keyboard on supported Android versions and use accessibility keyboard shortcuts where available, or ask someone to help you reach Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack.
TalkBack starts after pocket touches: Turn off TalkBack shortcut after you disable TalkBack: Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack, TalkBack shortcut, off. Google recommends disabling shortcuts once TalkBack is off so they do not enable it again by accident.
Password fields: TalkBack may read letters aloud in secure fields. Change that under TalkBack settings if needed after you regain normal touch mode.
Building Android apps with accessibility in mind? See Android setup for Capacitor apps and Capacitor live reload on Android, Windows, and Linux for related development workflows on Android hardware.
Turn TalkBack back on
Use any of the same channels when you need the screen reader again:
- Hold both volume keys for about 3 seconds (with TalkBack shortcut enabled).
- Say “Hey Google, turn on TalkBack.”
- Open Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack, and turn on Use TalkBack.
On first enable, Android may open the TalkBack tutorial. You can reopen it later from TalkBack settings.
Basic TalkBack gestures (while it is on)
- Next item: Swipe right with one finger.
- Previous item: Swipe left with one finger.
- Activate: Double tap with one finger.
- Scroll: Swipe up or down with two fingers.
- TalkBack menu: Three-finger tap, or swipe down then right on many devices (including Samsung Galaxy on updated Android).
More detail lives in Get started on Android with TalkBack from Google.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to turn off TalkBack on Android?
Press and hold both volume keys for about 3 seconds, confirming again if prompted. You can also say Hey Google, turn off TalkBack when Assistant is set up.
How do I turn off TalkBack on Samsung?
Use the volume up and volume down shortcut for at least 3 seconds, or open Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack (or Screen reader, Voice Assistant on older One UI), double tap the switch, then double tap Turn off.
Why does TalkBack keep turning on?
The volume or accessibility shortcut is usually still enabled. After TalkBack is off, disable TalkBack shortcut under Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack.
How do I turn TalkBack back on?
Hold both volume keys, say Hey Google, turn on TalkBack, or enable Use TalkBack under Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack.
Keep going from How to Turn off and Use TalkBack on Android Devices
If you are using How to Turn off and Use TalkBack on Android Devices to plan native media and interface behavior, connect it with Using @capgo/capacitor-live-activities for the native capability in Using @capgo/capacitor-live-activities, @capgo/capacitor-live-activities for the implementation detail in @capgo/capacitor-live-activities, Using @capgo/capacitor-video-player for the native capability in Using @capgo/capacitor-video-player, @capgo/capacitor-video-player for the implementation detail in @capgo/capacitor-video-player, and Using @capgo/capacitor-native-navigation for the native capability in Using @capgo/capacitor-native-navigation.
