That your mobile phone talks to you is not normal, especially if tells you everything that happens on the screen. If this is your case and it is not something intentional, it is most likely that you have accidentally activated TalkBack, the accessibility tool that has been integrated into Android phones for years.
TalkBack is part of the Android Accessibility Suite and it is a very powerful tool to facilitate the use of the system for those who have vision or mobility problems, but the problem comes when we accidentally activate it, Well, the mobile starts talking non-stop and it is much more difficult to move through the system. We tell you how to deactivate it.
How to disable TalkBack on Android
TalkBack is an old Android acquaintance that has been integrated into the app for a few years Android Accessibility Suite, which is updated from Google Play. The accessibility suite includes a number of tools to tailor system management for switch navigation systems, braille displays, and more.
TalkBack is the screen reader tool, which basically narrates everything that happens on the mobile so that it can be manipulated by a person with vision problems. It also changes system navigation with a series of gestures.
The problem with Talkback is that we can inadvertently activate it with a shortcut, such as pressing the two volume buttons at the same time
the problem arrives when we accidentally activate TalkBack, something that can happen in some mobiles -especially if they are not very current- when pressing the volume up button and the volume down button at the same time for a few seconds. This can be possible accidentally, for example, while we have the mobile in a support or when changing its case, for example.
When it happens, the mobile navigation changes completely and when we touch something, it will first be selected with a box. The worst is the mobile does not stop narrating everything that is selected and displays on the screen. This, together with the fact that it does not seem to pay any attention to button presses or movements, can make us go a little crazy.
The good news is that it has an easy solution. The bad is that you’re going to need some patience, since the navigation with TalkBack changes and entering the corresponding menu to deactivate TalkBack will take you a little more effort than normal. These are the changes:
- To press a menu or button, first it must be selected with a box, and then double-tap on it.
- To use scrolling, you should use two fingers instead of one.
Taking this into account, you will have to open the Android settings and enter the menu of the accessibility settings. On different mobiles they are in different places: sometimes you will find them within a submenu such as “additional settings” or “general”. If in doubt, use the search box at the top of the settings.
Locate TalkBack in the list and tap on it (remember, first select and then double tap) to be able to uncheck your switchwhich will allow you to use the mobile as always and without it telling you everything that happens on the screen.
Since you are in this section, take the opportunity to disable quick functionwhich is what triggers the shortcut to turn on TalkBack by pressing the volume buttons together for a couple of seconds.
Image | pencil parker in Pixabay
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