How to turn off TalkBack on an Android phone
2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 3 October 2026
Press and hold both volume keys for a few seconds until the phone says TalkBack is off. If that does nothing, say Hey Google, turn off TalkBack. Or open Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack and switch off Use TalkBack: tap once to select an item, double-tap to open it, and scroll with two fingers.
TalkBack is the screen reader for people who cannot see the screen. It reads everything aloud and changes how touch works, which is why a phone with TalkBack switched on by accident seems broken: taps only select things, and swiping with one finger does not scroll. Nothing is wrong with the phone.
Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones and Google's own apps on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them.
Step by step
Hold both volume keys
Press and hold volume up and volume down together for a few seconds. Listen for the announcement that TalkBack is off. This is also how it usually gets switched on by accident, in a pocket or by a child.
Or ask Google Assistant
Say Hey Google, turn off TalkBack, and wait for the confirmation.
Or use the shortcut button
If an accessibility button is shown at the edge of the screen, touch it once to select it, then double-tap.
Learn the three TalkBack gestures
If none of that works, go through Settings. While TalkBack is on: tap once to select an item, which gets a frame and is read aloud. Double-tap anywhere to open it. Scroll with two fingers instead of one.
Unlock the phone
Press the power button, then swipe up from the bottom with two fingers. Enter the PIN by tapping each digit, or draw the pattern as usual.
Open Settings
Swipe down from the top with two fingers, twice, to open the quick settings. Tap the Settings icon once, then double-tap. Or open the app list by swiping up with two fingers and select Settings there.
Switch TalkBack off
Scroll with two fingers to Accessibility, tap it once and double-tap. Open TalkBack the same way. Tap Use TalkBack once, double-tap, then select Turn off (some phones say Stop) and double-tap.
Stop it happening again
Still in Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack, open TalkBack shortcut and switch it off. Holding the volume keys then no longer starts TalkBack.
Good to know
On Samsung phones the path is Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack (on older models: Screen reader, Voice Assistant). The shortcut is often volume up together with the side key.
If the phone talks only when you select text or tap a button with a speaker on it, that is Select to Speak, which is switched off under Settings, Accessibility, Select to Speak.
If the touchscreen itself does not react, see Android touchscreen not working: 8 fixes to try.
The same thing on an iPhone is called VoiceOver, and is turned off by asking Siri or under Settings, Accessibility, VoiceOver.
In short: Hold both volume keys for a few seconds, or say Hey Google, turn off TalkBack. Otherwise: tap to select, double-tap to open, two fingers to scroll, Settings, Accessibility, TalkBack, off.
- Android Accessibility Help: Turn off TalkBack
- Android Accessibility Help: Turn on TalkBack
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