How to disable the accessibility service. How to turn off TalkBack

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

TalkBack- This free service, with the help of which people with visual impairments (or its complete absence) can comfortably use devices running on the Android operating system. The Talkback application speaks interface elements, text, and provides sound notification o vibration response. This application comes by default on most Android devices and is also automatically updated. TalkBack turns on when you first start your device or any time 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 read the text on the screen, as well as all other actions performed; reports notifications and other events. And after you turn off Talkback, you will not receive any notifications from the program.

Activate Talkback app, as already written above, it is possible when you first start the device on Android 4.0 or more later versions platforms. When starting the device for the first time, it is advisable that you have headphones at hand (necessary for entering the password, for example, for Wi-Fi networks). By default, passwords are announced 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 launch 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 running Android 4.1 or later, you will need to touch the screen with two fingers and hold it there for a while; Once your device recognizes the gesture, Talkback will launch and open the user guide.

If initial setup has already been made, then to enable the service on Android 3.2 or more earlier versions you will need to check the boxes in “Special. Opportunities" and "TalkBack"; on Android versions 4.0, select TalkBack and turn the switch to ON (after this you will need to return to the previous screen and turn on the Audio Guidance function); On Android 4.1 and later, it's worth turning on TalkBack and simply turning the switch to ON.

After turning on the program, a screen will launch with a list of extensions that are necessary to read text on the screen. To enable them simply click OK. If you understand that you don’t need them, just turn off Talkback.

Answer and end calls using TalkBack features

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

• to answer an incoming call, touch the bottom of the screen and swipe to the right;
• To reject a call, touch the bottom quarter of the screen and swipe left;
• to reject the call and write text message, just swipe up on the screen.

Note that Nexus devices Instead of TalkBack, they have the “Phone” application, which contains slightly more functionality than TalkBack.

Disabling TalkBack

The Android operating system has many functions, some of them regular users They don't even suspect. One of these “features” 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 completely by accident. Then they don't understand how to turn off Talkback. Today’s article will tell you what actions you need to take to do this.

What is this for?

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

Ordinary people, of course, do not need this function at all. The average user will read all menu lines or icon captions faster than a robotic voice. Luckily, 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 secondhand - after all, it is possible that its previous owner has poor vision.

Disabling Talkback

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

Step 1. Go to the section " Settings».

Step 2. Go to the subsection " Accessibility».

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

Step 4. Go to section Talkback. On Samsung smartphones and tablets it may be called Voice Assistant.

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

Do not forget that the first click on an element will not mean anything - it will only force the robot to voice the corresponding text. Therefore, the clicks must be double - in the manner double click left mouse button when controlling the Windows operating system.

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

In the accessibility section you can access:

• On Android 4.1: Settings/Accessibility;
• On Android 4.3: Settings/My Device/Accessibility;

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

1. The "Auto-rotate screen" checkbox - I personally turned it off so that it doesn't interfere when you rotate the device vertically or horizontally, with this checkbox the screen rotates to one position or another. At the same time, TalkBack announces the accepted screen position.
2. “Screen timeout” - I set myself a longer time, two minutes. After this time, the display goes dark and the device is locked. Of course, everyone decides for themselves what and how will be more convenient for them. But I still recommend not setting it for less than two minutes, otherwise it will be annoying by constantly blocking the screen.
3. "Listen to passwords" flag - Set to have TalkBack pronounce characters on the virtual keyboard when entered in password edit fields.
4. “Answer end calls” - In this section you need to check the following boxes:
   • Answer incoming calls with the (Home) key;
   • Finish with the power key;

   This is necessary so that, firstly, it is possible to incoming call pick up the handset with the physical (Home) home button, which is located at the bottom of the display. And secondly, hang up while talking with the power button, which is located on the right side of the device.

5. "Show shortcut" - In this section I have two checkboxes:
   • Accessibility;
   • 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 program service, as well as get into its settings.
7. “Web scripts” - Or the same item may also have the name “Improve special features for the Internet”. This setting must be enabled. It is designed for reading Internet pages and emails. Unless, of course, the application itself that you use for these purposes has support for web scripts. For example, programs such as
   AquaMail,
   this is for email. And for surfing the Internet
   Firefox.
   They have such support from developers. This setting is relevant for inclusion in Android 4.1 and possibly 4.2, but I can’t tell you for sure, I don’t know. On 4.3 this item is no longer present; it is turned on automatically along with the activation of TalkBack.
8. “Show shortcut” - You can, in principle, turn it on, generally if you wish. When this setting is enabled, it becomes possible to launch TalkBack on the lock screen. That is, you decided to completely disable TalkBack in the accessibility section in order to allow a sighted person to use your device. Then the person gives you the device, and you hold the power button for a few seconds until the shutdown screen appears. Place two fingers on this screen and hold them for about five seconds until TalkBack starts and notifies you of this completed action. This setting appeared with version Android 4.2 or 4.3, I don’t remember exactly.

Description of the 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 depending on the version of Android, as well as the version of the program itself.
The description took place on latest version TalkBack at this moment: V3.5.1.

1. “Speech volume” - This section adjusts the volume of the speech synthesizer, but it is better not to touch it, leave it at the “At sound volume level” selection. If you need to adjust the volume, you can read the instructions here:
2. Flag "Change tone when voicing, lower tone when voicing text" - Maybe not so much important setting, but my flag is checked.
3. "Sound the keys pressed" - This section in my opinion refers to virtual keyboards. That is, as I understand it, you can select the “Never” action. And when we write on the virtual keyboard, after we lift our finger from the character, TalkBack pronounces the entered character. And with the selected action “Never”, this symbol will not be pronounced. So I personally left the default selection of "Always".
4. "Speak when screen is 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. Flag "Distance sensor" - You need to check it. This flag allows TalkBack to interrupt spoken speech. On my Galaxy S3 this sensor is located at the top of the display. And if I need to interrupt TalkBack, then I just move my hand over top part screen, a distance of approximately five to ten centimeters. It will also be useful when talking with your interlocutor, the screen is blocked, and TalkBack is silent like a guerrilla, without making a noise in your ear.
6. “Shake to Read” - This section offers you 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 Caller ID" - The abbreviation stands for: Voice Automatic Detection Numbers, but this is the voice acting for me incoming number I don’t like TalkBack, so my flag is unchecked. I lately I use this:
   
   Or even this application:
   Enhanced SMS & Caller ID.
8. Flag "Vibration response" - All actions of gesture navigation or groping mode are accompanied by vibration. I personally use this setting, so I have the flag checked.
9. Flag " Beep" - Similar to “Vibration Feedback”, only all actions are accompanied by some weird TalkBack sounds.
10. "TalkBack louder" flag - This flag can be set so that when TalkBack speaks while listening to music or watching a video, the player's sound is muted. But this will not be possible in all programs. Because this action must still be implemented by the programmer in the music or video player itself. IN stock apps for video and music on my Galaxy S3, it works to its fullest extent.
11. "Volume" - This section controls TalkBack sounds, which include the "Beep" flag. If the action sounds are too loud, then select a lower value there.
12. "Explore by touch" flag - Must be checked; without this flag, gesture navigation and touch mode will not work. And without all this, completely to a blind person there will be nothing to do there.
13. "Auto-scroll lists" flag - Can be checked. This is required so that when you move through gesture navigation through elements, that is, swipe left/right or similar duplicate up/down gestures. In general, there is no difference here. Then vertical lists of settings, contacts, files, and so on, will scroll on the screen automatically.
14. Flag "Select with one click" - You can wish it. This setting makes it possible to activate elements not with a double tap, but with a single tap in the palpation mode. That is, if you touch 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 only need to tap specifically on the selected element; with other activation options, this setting will not work. And it will only happen from a double tap.
15. "Manual learning by touch" - Some training help for new users of the operating room Android systems to study device navigation.
16. “Gesture control” - The section is responsible for setting the assignment of actions for corner gestures and vertical two-way gesture up/down or down/up.
17. "Manage personalized shortcuts" - Appeared in android version 4.3. Here you can view and edit shortcuts to the buttons to which you yourself have assigned a label. Read in more detail:
18. "Resume" - Here you select the choice after which action you want TalkBack to resume. TalkBack has the ability to temporarily pause it. I have “When the screen turns on” selected. This is done like this:
    1. An angular gesture is made down and to the right on the screen;
    2. After a certain notification, place the club in the middle of the screen and, without releasing your finger, move it to the upper left corner, where the user should hear “Pause reviews”, release the club and, if necessary, confirm the selected action;
    3. Now, if you need to launch TalkBack, lock the screen and immediately unlock it, after which TalkBack should start.

    Attention! I don’t encourage anyone here to make identical settings according to these instructions. Everyone decides for himself what will be better and more convenient for him. I just tried to describe their meaning, and what I actually use myself. And then try, experiment and figure it out.

That's it, good luck everyone, train.

Google TalkBack is helper application for people with visual impairments. It is preinstalled by default in any smartphone running the Android operating system and, unlike alternative options interacts with all elements of the device shell.

Disable TalkBack on Android

If you accidentally activated the application using function buttons or in the gadget’s accessibility menu, it’s quite easy to disable it. Well, those who do not intend to use the program at all can completely deactivate it.

In addition, depending on the device model and version Android actions may differ slightly from those discussed in the article. However, in general, the principle of finding, setting up and turning off TalkBack should always be the same.

Method 1: Quick shutdown

Once TalkBack is activated, you can quickly turn it on or off using physical buttons. This option is convenient for instantly switching between smartphone operating modes. Regardless of your device model, this happens as follows:

1. Unlock the device and simultaneously hold down both volume buttons for about 5 seconds until you feel a slight vibration.

In older devices (Android 4), hereinafter they can be replaced by the power button, so if the first option does not work, try holding down the " On/Off"on the body. After the vibration and before the shutdown window appears, place two fingers on the screen and wait for the vibration to occur again.

This option will only work if the buttons were previously assigned to activate TalkBack as quick start service. To check and set this up, assuming you plan to use the service again from time to time, you can do the following:

1. Go to " Settings» > «».

2. Select "".

3. If the control is set to “”, activate it.

You can also use the “” item so that you don’t need to unlock the screen to enable/disable the assistant.

4. Go to "".

5. Assign TalkBack to it.

6. A list of all tasks for which this service will be responsible will appear. Click on " OK", exit settings and you can check if it works set parameter activation.

Method 2: Disable via Settings

Having difficulty deactivating using the first option (faulty volume button, unconfigured quick shutdown), you need to visit the settings and disable the application directly. Depending on the device model and shell, the menu items may vary, but the principle will be similar. Focus on the names or use the search field at the top of Settings, if you have one.

1. Open " Settings" and find the item "".

2. In the section " Screen readers"(it may not exist or it may be called differently) click on "".

3. Click on the button in the form of a switch to change the status from “ Included" to "".

Disabling TalkBack

You can also stop the application as a service; in this case, although it will remain on the device, it will not start and will lose some of the settings assigned by the user.

1. Open " Settings", then " Apps and notifications"(or just "").

2. In Android 7 and higher, expand the list with the “ Show all applications" On previous versions this OS, switch to the "" tab.

3. Find "" and click the "" button.

4. A warning will appear, which you must agree to by clicking on “”.

5. Another window will open where you will see a message about restoring the version to the original one. Existing updates on top of what was installed when the smartphone was released will be removed. Tap on " OK».

Now, if you go to "", you will not see the application there as a connected service. It will also disappear from the “” settings if they were assigned to TalkBack (more about this is written in Method 1).

To turn it on, follow steps 1-2 from the instructions above and click on the " Turn on" To return to the application additional features, just visit Google Play Market and install latest updates Talkback.

Method 3: Complete removal (root)

This option is only suitable for users who have root rights on their smartphone. By default, TalkBack can only be disabled, but superuser rights remove this restriction. If you are strongly dissatisfied with this application and want to get rid of it completely, use the removal software system programs on Android.

More details:

Despite its great benefits for people with vision problems, accidentally turning on TalkBack can cause significant discomfort. As you can see, it is very easy to disable it quick method or through settings.

An Android user who first encountered this system tries to study it thoroughly. And sometimes, completely by accident, he turns on the Talk Back function, and therefore he strives to find out how to disable Talkback on Android. Naturally, after the “work done,” no one knows how to get everything back. As it turns out in practice, it is very difficult to return all the functionality of the device back and problematic. The creators, as a rule, do not provide a description of how to disable this feature, which means users have to act purely on an intuitive level.

In order not to lose hours, and even days, to fix the problem created in a few seconds, first you need to familiarize yourself with the functioning of talkback. Knowing the location of the program, as well as the OS version, using a few tips, you can easily return everything to its place.

Talkback what is this program

Talkback- This Android application, which was created for people who have difficulty seeing or have no vision at all. This function completely takes over all work with the device and voices every step of the blind user. This feature is convenient for those who have previously worked on a computer, because working with the device becomes like clicking a mouse.

Just one touch needed to press keys, and they are always voiced. The same is true for voice acting during typing. In addition, it sends notifications about calls. And if you shake the device, the program will begin to read out everything that is on the screen at the moment.

If you click on a letter and hold your finger on it, then the program reads the letter first, and then the word that begins with it. This typing method allows you to accurately type a word by ear, perceiving each letter correctly. Talkback useful and your audio prompts. They can provide information regarding one of the listed properties on the phone. In addition, the program allows you to recognize gestures, and even synthesizes human speech into text.

How to disable Talkback feature on Android

With just one touch, the user selects text, similar to using a mouse on a computer. You can interact with all objects on the screen by double tapping.

And so that turn page in one direction, you need to use one touch with two fingers on the screen at once. The screen will simply refuse to respond to a single touch.

Removing the blockage from the tap must also be done according to the same principle. Use the pads of two fingers to touch the screen and gently pull up. Sometimes you need to enter password to unlock your smartphone. There may be voice support throughout the entire process.

Disabling the program step by step

Below we will consider the algorithm for maximizing convenient disable Talkback on most devices.

• Double click to go to the main menu
• Next you need to activate double click settings icon
• Holding the screen with two fingers, scroll through the settings until you find the section “ System»
• Next, open “ Accessibility» swipe the screen to the « tab Services»
• With Talkback open, find top corner on/off button
• To disable the feature double click drag the bar to " off»

Video instructions