How do I turn off TalkBack on Android?

Press and hold both volume keys together for a few seconds until you hear that TalkBack is off. You can also say "Hey Google, turn off TalkBack." If those do not work, open Settings with two-finger swipes, go to Accessibility, then TalkBack, and turn Use TalkBack off. Afterward, turn off the TalkBack shortcut so it does not come back by accident.

Steps to check

1. Know what TalkBack is doing

   TalkBack is a screen reader for people who are blind or have low vision. When it is on, a box outlines what you touch, the phone speaks labels out loud, and normal taps do not open things. Instead, tap once to focus an item, then double-tap anywhere to select it. To scroll, drag with two fingers. Accidental turns-on are common when both volume keys are held, or during setup.

2. Try the volume-key shortcut first

   Press and hold Volume up and Volume down at the same time for a few seconds. Listen for a spoken confirmation that TalkBack is off. On Samsung, if you have never used the shortcut, a pop-up may ask you to tap Use (tap once, then double-tap), then hold both volume keys again. On Motorola, the same three-second hold turns TalkBack on or off when the shortcut is enabled.

   • Samsung Hold Volume up and Volume down together for at least 3 seconds. Older One UI versions may call this Voice Assistant instead of TalkBack.
   • Motorola Hold Volume up and Volume down together for three seconds. You should hear confirmation that TalkBack turned off.
   • Pixel Hold both volume keys for a few seconds. If nothing happens, the TalkBack shortcut may be off; use Settings or Assistant instead.

3. Or ask Google Assistant

   Say "Hey Google, turn off TalkBack" and wait for confirmation. This works when the phone can hear you and Assistant is available, even if the volume shortcut is not set up.

4. Turn it off in Settings if shortcuts fail

   With TalkBack still on: swipe down from the top with two fingers twice to open Quick Settings, tap the Settings gear once, then double-tap to open it. Or open the app list with a two-finger swipe up and find Settings the same way (tap, then double-tap). Scroll with two fingers to Accessibility, open it (tap, then double-tap), open TalkBack, focus the Use TalkBack switch, double-tap, then focus Turn off and double-tap.

   • Samsung Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack (or Screen reader → Voice Assistant on older software). Tap the switch, double-tap, then Turn off and double-tap.
   • Motorola Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack → turn Use TalkBack off.

5. Turn off the TalkBack shortcut so it stays off

   After TalkBack is off, open Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack and turn off TalkBack shortcut (or the volume-key shortcut). Google recommends this so holding both volume keys does not turn TalkBack on again by mistake. On Samsung, also check Accessibility → Advanced settings for any Accessibility shortcuts that still list TalkBack, and remove it there if needed.

6. If you are stuck on the lock screen

   Press Power to wake the screen. Unlock with your PIN by tapping each number once (no need to double-tap for each digit on many phones), or draw your pattern by tapping each dot in order. Then try the volume shortcut or Assistant again. If you still cannot get in, contact your phone maker's support.

Normal vs. not

Common questions

Why does a single tap not open anything?

With TalkBack on, a single tap only focuses the item. Double-tap to open or turn something on or off. Scroll with two fingers.

How do I stop TalkBack from turning on by accident?

After you turn TalkBack off, open Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack and turn off TalkBack shortcut. That stops the volume-key combo from enabling it again.

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