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How to turn off TalkBack on a Samsung Galaxy

By Updated 14 November 20263 min read

Device: Galaxy S26 · Software: One UI 9.0 · Checked November 2026

Real screenshot · Galaxy S26, One UI 9.0

In short

If the TalkBack shortcut is on, press and hold volume up and volume down together for 3 seconds. Or open Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack and switch it off. While TalkBack is on, tap once to select, double-tap to activate and scroll with two fingers.

If your Galaxy has suddenly started reading everything aloud and ignoring your swipes, it is an unsettling moment, so take a breath. TalkBack is a screen reader: it gives spoken feedback so you can use your Galaxy without looking at the screen. With it on, you tap an item and then double-tap it, and you use two fingers to swipe through menus. It is not: it is simply listening for different gestures.

5 of 6 steps show a real screenshot from our Galaxy S26.

Steps

0 of 6 steps
  1. 1

    Use the TalkBack gestures

    While TalkBack is on, a single tap only selects an item and reads it aloud. Double-tap anywhere to open it, and scroll with two fingers.

    While TalkBack is onTap onceselects the itemDouble-tapopens itTwo fingersscrollIllustration
  2. 2

    Try the volume-key shortcut

    If the shortcut is set up, press and hold volume up and volume down together for 3 seconds. This is often how TalkBack gets switched on by accident.

    The TalkBack shortcut switch on the TalkBack page shows whether a button combination can start it. Ours was off.

    Android screenshot: Try the volume-key shortcut
  3. 3

    Open TalkBack in Accessibility

    Settings, Accessibility. On One UI 9 TalkBack has its own row, below Vision enhancements.

    Android screenshot: Open TalkBack in Accessibility
  4. 4

    Switch it off

    The switch at the top turns TalkBack on and off. With TalkBack on, select it and double-tap.

    Android screenshot: Switch it off
  5. 5

    Turn off the shortcut

    TalkBack shortcut lets a button combination start TalkBack. Switch it off so it cannot come back by accident. Ours was off.

    Android screenshot: Turn off the shortcut
  6. 6

    Check Accessibility shortcuts

    Accessibility, Accessibility shortcuts lists which buttons start an accessibility feature. On ours, Volume up and down buttons was set to None, and so were Side and Volume up buttons. Samsung's older guide calls this Advanced settings.

    Android screenshot: Check Accessibility shortcuts

If you do not see this option

  • Your phone says Screen reader, not TalkBack Samsung says that before One UI 3.1 it is called Voice Assistant: Accessibility, Screen reader, then the switch next to Voice Assistant. Source: Use TalkBack or Voice Assistant on your Galaxy device
  • You cannot tap the Settings icon Samsung says to swipe down from the top with two fingers, tap the Settings icon and double-tap it. Then swipe with two fingers to reach Accessibility. Source: Use TalkBack or Voice Assistant on your Galaxy device
  • Phone locked and you can't type the PIN? Samsung says that if the TalkBack shortcut is on, you can turn TalkBack off by pressing and holding Volume up and Volume down together for at least 3 seconds. Source: Turn off TalkBack

If this does not work

  • The volume keys did nothing Don't worry, that does not mean anything is wrong. Samsung says the keys only work if the TalkBack shortcut is on. The first time, tap Use in the pop-up, then press both keys again for 3 seconds.
  • Your phone says Voice Assistant Samsung says it is called Voice Assistant before One UI 3.1: Accessibility, Screen reader, then the Voice Assistant switch.
  • TalkBack confirms nothing you tap Samsung says that with TalkBack on, you tap the switch and then double-tap it, then tap Turn off and double-tap that too.
  • Can't get through the menus at all? Then let your voice do the work. Google says you can also say "Hey Google, turn off TalkBack" and wait to hear it confirm. This only works if Google Assistant is set up on the phone.
  • A floating button is on the screen? Google says that if a shortcut button or floating button shows, you can select it and double-tap to turn TalkBack off.

Good to know

Screen not reacting to touch at all? Samsung Galaxy touchscreen not responding? 6 fixes.

If you turn TalkBack on again later on purpose, Samsung says you are taken to a tutorial about using your device with it. That is a gentle way to learn the gestures before you need them, whether for yourself or to help someone who relies on TalkBack.

About this guide

Device
Android
Shown on
Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9.0, Android 17 (build CP2A.260605.016.S942NKSU5BZJB)
App
Settings
Path
Settings › Accessibility › TalkBack
Real screenshots
5 of 6 steps
What we did
Observed: looked at each screen, changed nothing
Checked
November 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy S26 with One UI 9.0 and Android 17, in Dark mode. Samsung says the feature goes by different names in different software versions, but it works the same way. We only looked at these screens on our phones and changed nothing. TalkBack was off on our phone and we never switched it on.

Sources

Links checked November 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.

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