TalkBack is a built-in screen reader on Android devices designed to assist vision-impaired users by providing spoken feedback. It helps you navigate your phone without needing to see the screen.Â
Here’s a basic guide to getting started with TalkBack.
Enabling Talkback on Android
Using Settings
Open Settings.
Select Accessibility.
Tap TalkBack (under Screen reader).
Toggle TalkBack on.
Using the shortcut (if enabled)
Press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons together for 3 seconds to turn TalkBack on or off.
Basic Talkback Gestures
Explore by touch: Drag your finger across the screen. TalkBack will describe whatever your finger touches, such as buttons, text, or icons.Â
Double tap to activate:Â After selecting an item, double tap anywhere on the screen to open or activate it.Â
Two-finger swipe:Â Swipe up or down with two fingers to scroll through pages, menus, or content.Â
Swipe up and left: closes the app you are in. Â
Two-finger double tap:Â known as the “magic tap,” does the following:Â Â
- Answer/End CallsÂ
- Play/Pause MediaÂ
- Pause/Resume Speech.Â
Customising Talkback
In the Accessibility settings, you can customize TalkBack’s speech rate, pitch, and feedback to suit your preferences.Â
Use an interactive tutorial to learn Talkback
You can learn Talkback basics and practice essential gestures with the interactive TalkbackTutorial.Â
With Talkback turned on, go to Settings > Accessibility > Settings, then scroll down to Tutorial and help to get started.Â
TalkBack Gestures and Shortcuts
Turn TalkBack on or off
Hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons together for 3 seconds.
Basic navigation
Swipe right with one finger – Move to the next item
Swipe left with one finger – Move to the previous item
Double-tap anywhere with one finger – Open or select an item
Swipe left with two fingers – Move to the next page
Swipe right with two fingers – Move to the previous page
When using an app
Swipe right with one finger – Move down through items on the page
Swipe left with one finger – Move up through items on the page
Swipe up with two fingers from the bottom of the screen – Go to the Home screen or close the app (on devices with a Home button)
Phone calls
Swipe up with two fingers – Answer an incoming call
Swipe down with two fingers – Reject an incoming call
Change the speech rate
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack → Text-to-speech
- Use two fingers to swipe left or right on the slider to decrease or increase the speech rate
Turn off usage hints
Go to Settings → Accessibility → TalkBack → Settings → Verbosity
Toggle Speak usage hints off
Open the TalkBack menu
Swipe down then right in an L-shape using one finger.
Mastering TalkBack can greatly enhance your device interaction, making it more accessible and empowering. This document offers a brief overview of its capabilities. For more details, explore the accessibility resources on your device’s website or check out tutorials on YouTube. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to us—we’re here to support you as best as we can.Â
