Turn TalkBack on or off

The TalkBack screen reader speaks text and image content on your screen. On your Android device, you can turn this setting on or off.

Turn TalkBack on or off

Option 1: With the volume key shortcut

You can use the volume key shortcut to turn TalkBack on or off. On Android 8 and up, you can use the shortcut the first time you turn on and set up your device. You can also use this shortcut after your device is set up. Learn how to check your Android version.

1. On the side of your device, find both volume keys.
2. Press and hold both volume keys for 3 seconds.
3. To confirm that you want to turn TalkBack on or off, press both volume keys for 3 seconds again.
   • If this step doesn't work, follow the steps for accessibility shortcuts.

Tip: By default, TalkBack speaks password characters to you. You can change the setting so that your phone doesn’t speak characters in secure fields unless you have headphones connected. Learn more about spoken passwords.

Learn how to change your TalkBack shortcut.

Option 2: In your device settings

Important: You may need sighted assistance to follow these steps.

1. On your device, open Settings .
2. Select Accessibility TalkBack.
   • To turn on: Select Use TalkBack.
   • To turn off: Select Turn off TalkBack.
3. In the confirmation box, select OK.

Tip: When TalkBack is on, to activate, you must double-tap instead of single tap.

Option 3: With Google Assistant

1. Say “Hey Google.”
2. Say “Turn off TalkBack” or “Turn on TalkBack.”

Turn off the volume key shortcut

1. On your device, open Settings .
2. Select Accessibility TalkBack.
3. Turn off TalkBack shortcut.