How to Set Up and Use TalkBack on Android
Android has lots of accessibility features that make it easier to use, such as phone gestures, magnification, high-contrast text, and live transcription.
One of the most impressive accessibility features, though, is TalkBack. It allows you to navigate and interact with an Android device without needing to see the screen. Keep reading to learn how to set up and use TalkBack, and all about its many features.
What Is TalkBack?
TalkBack is one of many accessibility features on Android intended for users that are blind, have low vision, or otherwise have difficulty seeing the contents on a phone’s screen. TalkBack provides verbal feedback explaining what’s on the screen, along with vibrations when interacting with it. It makes it possible to use the device without looking at it.
When TalkBack is activated, you can highlight different on-screen elements, and it will read text out to you or otherwise describe those elements. Also, it changes the way you navigate your phone. To activate elements, you have to tap twice, and you can also unlock access to a variety of features by using gestures and swipes with multiple fingers at a time.
How to Set Up TalkBack
The most common method for turning on TalkBack is through your phone’s settings. To enable TalkBack via Android settings, openSettings > Accessibility > TalkBack.
There are other methods to enable TalkBack on Android, including using Google Assistant or your phone’s volume keys.
Enable TalkBack With Google Assistant
One of the most accessible ways to enable TalkBack is with Google Assistant, which is just one of the manyfantastic things you can do with Google Assistant.
Many Android devices come with a dedicated physical button for Google Assistant. If yours doesn’t have one, you’ll need to open it with the app icon in the app drawer or slide up from the bottom left or right corner of your screen—which usually works best from the home screen.
Once you’ve accessed Google Assistant, say “Turn on TalkBack” to activate it.
Enable TalkBack With the Phone Volume Keys
To enable TalkBack with your phone’s volume keys, press and hold theVolume UpandVolume Downbuttons simultaneously for three seconds. An audio message should play stating that TalkBack is on.
While using the phone volume keys might seem like the easiest way to turn on TalkBalk, it’s not available for all devices. You can try holding theVolume UpandPowerbuttons on some phones instead.
How to Activate TalkBack on a Brand New Phone
If you’re trying to enable TalkBack and can’t because you’re struggling toset up your new Android phone, there’s no need to fret.
After turning on the phone and arriving at the setup screen, take two fingers and tap and hold on the screen until you hear a beep or similar sound. This will enable accessibility mode and launch the TalkBack tutorial. It also provides access to multiple visual settings.
If that doesn’t work, there’s another method you’re able to try:
Once activated, it can assist you with the setup process, and it stays activated once your phone is configured.
How to Use TalkBack on Android
You track what TalkBack focuses on with the default green outline. With TalkBack turned on, you can highlight items by swiping left or right with one finger, double-tap to select items, and use two fingers to scroll through menus and the home screen.
Navigating with TalkBack, though, can seem quite complex. It’s important to note that the default controls may vary between devices but are almost entirely customizable.
There are a few basic TalkBack gestures you should know to more easily navigate your phone. Here’s a quick look at some of the most important ones:
Swap Between TalkBack Modes
Swapping use modes changes how TalkBack reads out information and provides access to additional settings. Swipe up or down with three fingers to swap between use modes. Then use one finger swiping left or right to move between options in that mode.
Modes, like paragraphs, characters, and words, change how much TalkBack reads in one go, for example.
Swapping between modes and swiping left or right to make changes can help adjust what TalkBack reads, in what language, how quickly, and whether it skips certain sections or text.
Additional Settings in TalkBack
If there’s any TalkBack feedback, be it visual or physical via vibrations, that isn’t to your liking, there are many ways to adjust it. To make changes, head toSettings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings. Here, you can adjust multiple settings including things like the speech volume and pitch, and to enable caller ID.
Some of the most important changes you can make can be found atSettings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settingsand then by tappingCustomize Focus Indicator,Customize gestures, orCustomize menus. These settings sections make it easy for you to tailor the TalkBack experience to fit their needs best.
Keep in mind it can get pretty complicated, and there are a wide variety of details that you’re free to tweak.
TalkBack Is Complicated, but Very Useful
Before using TalkBack, I expected it to be a useful but limited feature. I was wrong. TalkBack is a full suite of customizable tools for the visually impaired, and it’s beyond impressive. With its default values, it’s already handy, and you can even activate it before setting up a new phone. Once you delve into the customizable settings, you can set up a system that has the potential to work for almost anyone.
In some ways, though, it can limit a phone’s functionality for certain users. For example, having to tap twice for each action might be too frustrating for some. If that’s you, then you might consider looking at text-to-speech apps on the Play Store instead.
Text-to-speech is a handy feature on your Android phone even if you don’t have a disability. These text-to-speech apps take it to the next level.
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