To turn off TalkBack on your Android phone, press and hold both volume keys for a few seconds. If that doesn't work, go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and turn off the switch.
How to turn off TalkBack on your Android phone
There are three official ways to disable TalkBack on Android: press and hold both volume keys, use the Accessibility menu, or use the TalkBack shortcut. Choose the method that works best for your device.
What is TalkBack and why would you want to turn it off?
TalkBack is Google's screen reader for Android devices. It speaks every touch and gesture, which helps users with visual impairments navigate their phones. You typically want to turn it off after accidental activation or when you don't need audio navigation. On iPhone, the equivalent screen reader is VoiceOver, not TalkBack.
Method 1: Press and hold both volume keys
This is the fastest method to turn off TalkBack. Press and hold volume up and volume down together for a few seconds until TalkBack turns off. This works when the TalkBack shortcut is enabled on your device. On Samsung Galaxy devices, press and hold both volume keys for at least 3 seconds.
Method 2: Disable TalkBack through the Accessibility menu
This is the manual path that works on all Android devices. While TalkBack is active, use one finger to focus on items and double-tap to select them. Google also says to open Accessibility and TalkBack using one finger to focus and then double-tap to select when TalkBack is already on.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap TalkBack.
- Turn off Use TalkBack.
- Tap Turn off to confirm.
On Samsung Galaxy devices, swipe down with two fingers, tap Settings, then Accessibility, then TalkBack. Tap the switch at the top, then tap Turn off. If your Samsung device uses Voice Assistant instead of TalkBack, follow the same path for Screen reader.
Method 3: Use the TalkBack shortcut or floating button
If a floating shortcut button appears on your screen, touch it with one finger and double-tap to turn off TalkBack. You can also disable the shortcut itself in Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > TalkBack shortcut. Google says to turn off the TalkBack shortcut in Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack if the shortcut itself is what you want to disable.
What if TalkBack still won't turn off?
If the volume key shortcut doesn't work, the shortcut may not be enabled on your device. Use the manual Accessibility menu path instead. Samsung devices may use Voice Assistant instead of TalkBack, so check for Screen reader in the Accessibility menu. To confirm TalkBack is off, try tapping normally on your screen and check that no spoken feedback occurs.
If you're troubleshooting other voice issues, you might also need to look into voice assistant and microphone fixes. For Apple devices, you can fix your voice assistant through the Accessibility Shortcut settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off TalkBack without using the screen?
Press and hold both volume keys for a few seconds. This works when the TalkBack shortcut is enabled and doesn't require you to navigate the screen.
Why did TalkBack turn on by itself?
TalkBack can be accidentally activated by pressing both volume keys for a few seconds if the shortcut is enabled. Some devices also have a gesture or button combination that triggers it.
How do I turn off TalkBack on a Samsung phone?
How do I turn off VoiceOver on an iPhone?
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut, select VoiceOver, then triple-click the side button on Face ID models or the Home button on other models. Apple also documents that if only one feature is selected, the triple-click immediately turns it on or off.
What is the difference between TalkBack and Voice Assistant?
TalkBack is Google's screen reader for Android. Voice Assistant is Samsung's screen reader used on some Galaxy devices instead of TalkBack. Both provide spoken feedback but follow slightly different settings paths.
