To take RTT off your phone, open Settings > Accessibility > RTT/TTY on an iPhone and turn off Software RTT/TTY (and Hardware TTY if present). On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Accessibility > Real-time text (RTT), and set it to Off or Not visible.
Turn off RTT on iPhone
Apple’s documented path to disable Real-Time Text on an iPhone is straightforward. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, then select RTT/TTY. On that page, turn off Software RTT/TTY. If the Hardware TTY option is toggled on, turn that off too. The same RTT/TTY page also includes a Call option where you can choose RTT/TTY Call or RTT/TTY Relay Call, but disabling the software toggle is sufficient to stop RTT from appearing during calls. No separate “remove RTT forever” option exists; the accessibility settings above are the only documented controls.
Turn off RTT on Android
Android does not have a single universal path because RTT support depends on the device manufacturer and carrier configuration. However, third-party sources consistently describe this route: open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu (usually top-right), go to Settings, then Accessibility, and find Real-time text (RTT) or a similar label. Set the option to Off or Not visible. Note that the exact menu name may vary slightly depending on your phone’s software skin, and the setting might be labeled as TTY/RTT on some devices. On Android, you may also have the option to adjust additional RTT settings, such as font size and display options. If you cannot locate it, the feature may not be supported on your device or carrier.
What to do if you can't find the RTT setting
On Android, RTT can be enabled or disabled only if the device and carrier support it. The Android platform documentation confirms that RTT is controlled by device configuration (`config_support_rtt`) and carrier configuration (`CarrierConfigManager.RTT_SUPPORTED_BOOL`). If the option does not appear in your Accessibility settings, your phone or carrier may not offer RTT at all. In that case, check with your carrier to confirm whether RTT is available on your plan and device. The feature is off by default in the implementation, so if you never saw it, it likely was never active.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RTT stand for?
RTT stands for Real-Time Text. It is a technology that allows text to be sent and received instantly during a phone call, similar to a live chat session.
Why would I want to disable RTT?
You might find real-time text updates distracting during calls, or you may simply prefer using voice or SMS for communication.
Will disabling RTT affect other forms of text communication on my phone?
No. Disabling RTT only turns off the real-time text feature during phone calls. It does not affect standard SMS messages, iMessage, WhatsApp, or any other messaging apps.
Can I re-enable RTT on my phone after disabling it?
Yes. On iPhone, go back to Settings > Accessibility > RTT/TTY and toggle Software RTT/TTY back on. On Android, return to the same Phone app Accessibility menu and set RTT to On or Visible.
Does turning off RTT improve battery life or performance?
Disabling RTT primarily stops the feature from appearing during calls and prevents accidental activation.
Why does RTT suddenly appear during my calls?
RTT may appear if you accidentally press the RTT button during a call, or if your phone’s accessibility settings were changed. Disabling the setting in your phone’s Accessibility menu prevents it from showing up again. If you are troubleshooting related issues, also check your voice assistant and microphone fixes to ensure no other call features are interfering.
