The Android operating system has a function such as. It can voice all the actions that the user performs on his smartphone, and Talkback can also voice the text that appears on the smartphone screen.

This function is intended primarily for visually impaired or blind people and it is unlikely to be useful to an ordinary person. Moreover, if you accidentally turn it on on your Android smartphone or a tablet, then it will greatly interfere with you and it will become almost impossible to use the device normally.

If you have just such a situation, then this article will help you. Here's how to disable or configure Talkback on Android.

In order to disable the Talkback feature on Android, you need to open the settings first. To do this, swipe down to open the upper curtain and click on the button in the form of a gear. You can also open the settings using the icon on the desktop or in the list of all programs.

After you get into the settings, scroll down the page to the very end and open the "Special. capabilities". This section will be located in the "System" settings block.

And move the switch to the OFF position.

If you do not want to completely disable TalkBack, then you can go to the settings.

There are a wide variety of options available in the TalkBack settings.

For example, in the TalkBack settings, you can change the speech volume, adjust the voice synthesis, change the voice tone, enable or disable the sound of key presses, and much more.

TalkBack is a special functional add-on for people with disabilities (impaired coordination, poor eyesight), pre-installed on almost all modern phones running Android OS ( Sony Xperia, Samsung, Huawei, Nokia, etc.). It voices all actions performed by the user on the phone. Also, this mode is used by some drivers in order not to be distracted from driving a car and not to lose control of the roadway.

In the functionality of the program:

  • conversion of speech into text and dubbing of text information;
  • sounding of pressed keys;
  • audio notification about the subscriber making a call (with the option of auto-scrolling the list of contacts);
  • "Reading out" the names of the applications being launched and the commands highlighted by the touch of a finger;
  • "Reader" of texts in a file and on web pages in a browser;
  • launching commands with special gestures;
  • assignment of "hot keys" for launching certain operations;
  • regulation of the tone and volume of sounds by means of a distance sensor.

How to completely shut down the application

To disable Talkback function, follow this instruction:

1. Tap the “Settings” icon on the home screen of the gadget with your finger.

2. In the "System" section, tap the item "Special. capabilities".

4. To disable Talkback, in the Services pane, open the options section.

5. Change the activation status (switch position) with a touch of your finger.

6. Confirm the operation being performed. Select "OK" in the query window.

Partial shutdown

If you only need certain functions of the application, you can perform selective deactivation in its settings panel:

1. Go to TalkBack section.

2. Tap "Settings".

3. Make any required parameter changes. In the menu, you can not only turn off the sound of the keys, but also correct the voice synthesis, volume level and other add-ons.

Specifics of managing Talkback on Samsung

In Samsung with the TouchWiz user interface, in the settings, you first need to go to the "My device" subsection to open the "Accessibility" item and the Talkback setting panel.

The Talkback service is managed in a standard manner. It can be easily mastered by the owner of the phone without experience of using the Android OS.

This is a recommendation for new users of the Android operating system to select the necessary checkboxes and items in the section special features and TalkBack settings. The test subject was Galaxy S3, Android 4.3.

The accessibility section can be accessed:

  • On the Android version 4.1: Settings / Accessibility;
  • On Android 4.3: Settings / My device / Accessibility;

Now the description of items and checkboxes in the accessibility section.

  1. Checkbox "Auto-rotate screen" - I personally disabled myself, so as not to interfere when you rotate the device vertically or horizontally, with this checkbox the screen is flipped to one position or another. When you do this, TalkBack speaks the accepted screen position.
  2. Screen Timeout - I set myself more time, two minutes. After this time, the display goes out and the device is blocked. Of course, everyone decides for himself what and how it will be more convenient for him. But still I recommend not to set for less than two minutes, otherwise it will be annoying with the constant blocking of the screen.
  3. "Hear passwords" checkbox - Set so that TalkBack speaks characters on the virtual keyboard when entering passwords in edit fields.
  4. "Answer end calls" - In this section, check the boxes:
    • Answering incoming calls with the (Home) key home;
    • Completion with the power key;

    This is necessary so that, firstly, you can pick up the handset with the physical button (Home) home, which is located at the bottom of the display, when an incoming call is received. And secondly, during a conversation, hang up the receiver with the power button, which is located on the right side of the device.

  5. "Show shortcut" - In this section I have two checkboxes:
    • Special abilities;
    • TalkBack;

    both can be noted. They are needed so that when you hold down the power button for a few seconds, when the shutdown screen opens, these same items will be added to this selection on the shutdown screen.

  6. "TalkBack" - Here you can enable or disable the TalkBack service, as well as get into its settings.
  7. "Web scripts" - Either the same item may also have the name "Improve accessibility for the Internet." This setting must be enabled. It is designed to read web pages and e-mails. Unless, of course, the application itself that you use for these purposes has support for web scripts. For example, programs such as
    AquaMail,
    it's for Email... And for surfing the Internet
    Firefox.
    They have such support from the developers. This setting finds the activation relevance for Android 4.1 and possibly 4.2, but I won't tell you for sure, I don't know. At 4.3 this item is no longer there, it turns on automatically with the activation of TalkBack.
  8. "Show shortcut" - You can, in principle, enable it, in general, if desired. When this setting is enabled, it is possible to launch TalkBack on the lock screen. That is, you decide to completely disable TalkBack in the accessibility section to allow a sighted person to use your device. After the person gives you the device, and you hold the power button for a few seconds until the shutdown screen appears. On this screen, put two fingers and hold them for about five seconds until TalkBack starts up and notifies you of this performed action. This setting has appeared since Android 4.2 or 4.3, I can't remember for sure.

Descriptions of TalkBack settings you can access:

  • On Android 4.1: Settings \ Accessibility \ TalkBack \ Settings;
  • On Android 4.3: Settings \ My Device \ Accessibility \ TalkBack \ Settings;

Attention! TalkBack settings may vary from Android version, as well as the version of the program itself.
The description took place on latest version TalkBack at this point: V3.5.1.

  1. "Speech volume" - The section adjusts the volume of the speech synthesizer, but it is better not to touch it, leave it on the "At the sound volume level" selection. If you need to adjust the volume, you can read the instructions here:
  2. Checkbox "Change tone when scoring, lower tone when scoring text" - Maybe not so important setting, but I have the flag checked.
  3. "Sound pressed keys" - This section refers to my virtual keyboards. That is, as I understand it, you can select the "Never" action. And when we write on the vertical keyboard, then after we take our finger off the symbol, TalkBack says the entered symbol. And with the selected action "Never", this character will not be pronounced. So I personally left the default option "Always".
  4. Speak on screen off flag - This setting allows TalkBack to speak some notifications when the screen is locked. Sometimes it can be useful, so I have the flag checked.
  5. Distance sensor checkbox - Check it. This flag allows you to interrupt the TalkBack spoken speech. On my Galaxy S3, this sensor is located at the top of the display. And if I need to interrupt TalkBack's speech, then I just move my hand over the top of the screen, a distance of about five to ten centimeters. It will also be useful when talking with the interlocutor, the screen is locked, and TalkBack is silent like a partisan, while nothing is bubbling in your ear.
  6. "Shake to read" - This section offers to select the shaking sensitivity from off to very strong. If you configure this setting, then when you shake the device, TalkBack will start reading from top to bottom, everything that is on the screen you are currently on.
  7. Flag "Voice AON" - The abbreviation stands for: Voice Automatic Number Identification, but I don't like this voice acting of an incoming number by TalkBack, so I have the flag removed. I've been using this lately:

    Or else with this application:
    Enhanced SMS & Caller ID.
  8. Vibration feedback flag - All gesture navigation or groping actions are vibrated. I personally use this setting, so I have the flag set.
  9. "Beep" flag - Similar to "Vibration feedback", only all actions are accompanied by some weird TalkBack sounds.
  10. TalkBack Louder Flag - This flag can be set to muffle the audio when TalkBack speaks while listening to music or watching a video. Only not in all programs it will be possible. For the reason that this action must still be implemented by the programmer in the music or video player itself. In the stock video and music apps of my Galaxy S3, this works to its fullest.
  11. Volume - This section adjusts the TalkBack sounds to which the "Beep" flag belongs. If action sounds are too loud, select a lower value there.
  12. Checkbox "Explore by touch" - Must be checked, without this flag gesture navigation and touch mode will not work. And without all this, a totally blind person will have nothing to do there.
  13. Checkbox "Auto-scrolling lists" - Can be checked. This is required so that when you move with gesture navigation through the elements, that is, swipes left / right or similar duplicate up / down gestures. In general, there is no difference here. Then the vertical lists of settings, contacts, files and so on, will be scrolled on the screen automatically.
  14. One-click selection flag - You may wish. This setting makes it possible to activate the elements not with a double tap, but with a single tap in the touch mode. That is, if you felt any element with your finger, then when this flag is disabled, activation occurs from a double tap, if this flag is enabled, activation will occur from a single tap. You need to tap only specifically on the selected element, with other activation options, this setting will not work. And it will only come from a double tap.
  15. "Hand-to-study by touch" - A kind of training help for new users of the Android operating system to learn how to navigate the device.
  16. "Gesture Control" - The section is responsible for setting the assignment of actions for corner gestures and a vertical two-way gesture up / down or down / up.
  17. "Manage personalized shortcuts" - Introduced in android 4.3. Here you can view and edit the labels for the buttons to which you yourself assigned the medka. Read a little more:
  18. Resume - This is where you select the action after which you want TalkBack to resume. TalkBack has the ability to temporarily suspend it. I have selected "When the screen turns on." This is done like this:
    1. An angular gesture is made on the screen down and to the right;
    2. After a certain notification, the clubs are placed in the middle of the screen and, without releasing our finger, we lead it to the upper left corner, where the user should hear "Pause reviews", release the clubs and, if necessary, confirm the selected action;
    3. Now, if you need to launch TalkBack, lock the screen and immediately unlock it, after that TalkBack should start.

    Attention! I am not urging anyone here to make identical settings for this instruction. Everyone decides for himself what will be better and more comfortable for him. I just tried to describe their meaning, and that, in principle, I use myself. And then try, experiment and figure it out.

Everything, good luck everyone, train.

All users of Android devices, having seen the new logo, are among installed applications are asked what is Talkback, how to use the application, and how to disable Talkback. In this article, we will analyze all the most interesting topics about the application from Google and learn how to stop and turn off Talkback.

TalkBack- this is free service, with the help of which people with visual impairments (or complete lack of it) can comfortably use devices running on the Android operating system. The Talkback application reads the interface elements, text, and provides a sound alert for vibration feedback. This application is supplied by default on most Android devices and is also automatically updated. TalkBack turns on when you first start your device, or anytime after you activate it. It is logical that if you do not want to use the application, but it has started, it is better to disable Talkback. After turning on, the application begins to speak the text on the screen, as well as all other actions carried out; reports notifications and other events. And after you turn off Talkback, no notifications from the program will be received.

You can activate the Talkback application, as mentioned above, when you first start your device on Android 4.0 or later versions of the platform. When you start the device for the first time, it is advisable that you have headphones at hand (required to enter a password, for example, for Wi-Fi networks). By default, passwords are voiced if headphones were connected to the device, but later you can change this point in the settings. And in order to disable Talkback, read on.

To start Talkback on Android 4.0, you need to draw a closed triangle on the screen, and immediately after you do this, the device will beep. If you are the owner of a device on Android 4.1 or later, then you will need to touch the screen with two fingers and do not let go for a while; as soon as the device recognizes this gesture, Talkback will launch and the user manual will open.

If the initial configuration has already been done, then to enable the service on Android 3.2 and earlier, you will need to check the boxes in “Special. opportunities "and" TalkBack "; on Android 4.0, select TalkBack and switch the switch to ON (after that, you will need to return to the previous screen and turn on the Audio prompts function); on Android 4.1 and later, you should enable TalkBack and simply set the switch to ON.

After turning on the program, a screen will be launched with a list of extensions that are required to read the text on the screen. To enable them just click OK. If you understand that you do not need them, just turn off Talkback.

Answering and ending calls with TalkBack features

Each time your phone receives a call, TalkBack will automatically announce the caller's name (unless you have disabled this feature, of course). There are several ways to accept or reject a call:

  • to answer an incoming call, tap the bottom of the screen and slide your finger to the right;
  • to reject a call, tap the bottom quarter of the screen and slide your finger to the left;
  • to reject the call and write text message, just swipe up.

Note that Nexus devices have a Phone application instead of TalkBack, which contains slightly more functionality than TalkBack.

Disable TalkBack

Operating Android system has many functions, some of which ordinary users are not even aware of. One of these "chips" of the mobile operating system is Talkback. It is intended for visually impaired people - when it is turned on, the text on the screen is voiced by a robot. However, some people activate this feature by accident. Then they don't understand how to disable Talkback. What actions need to be taken for this - today's article will tell you.

In fact, Talkback is a standalone application that comes with Android by default. You can activate it on almost any smartphone or tablet. This function is regularly used by people who have problems with. The program reads them all the menu items and other interface elements, as a result of which you can use the device without looking at its screen.

Of course, ordinary people do not need this function at all. An ordinary user will read all menu lines or icon captions faster than a robotic voice will do. Fortunately, Talkback is disabled by default. But it can be activated accidentally when you get acquainted with the "Settings" section. It can also be turned on if you buy a smartphone with your hands - after all, it is possible that its previous owner does not see well.

Disable Talkback

Nowadays, many tablets and smartphones have their own proprietary shell. However, in terms of settings, they are all about the same. In this regard, Talkback at Android any versions and with any interface is deactivated in the same way, with very rare exceptions. To do this, you need to perform the following actions:

Step 1. Go to the section " Settings».

Step 2. Go to the subsection " Special abilities". On some smartphones it may be hidden in the menu "Advanced settings".

Step 3. On some shells, you will then need to go to the subsection " Vision».

Step 4. Go to section Talkback... On smartphones and it can be called Voice Assistant.

Step 5. Deselect the checkbox next to the function name.

Do not forget that the first click on the element will not mean anything - it will only make the robot read the corresponding text. Therefore, pressing must be double - in the manner of double-clicking the left mouse button when controlling operating system Windows.

Removing Talkback

If you can't turn off Talkback, then just delete this service from your smartphone. The easiest way to do this is through Play Store since This package may have different names depending on the device model.

To do this, Run Play Store and type in the search bar "Talkback"... A list of available applications will appear. Select the one that has Google LLC as the developer. In our case, this is the package "Accessibility for Android"... Click here on the button "Delete".


After that Talkback will not bother you. If you need to turn it back on, you can install this application through the Play Store.