How to allow Android’s TalkBack display reader

A display reader is an accessibility device designed for individuals with imaginative and prescient impairments. It can learn any textual content, buttons, or picture descriptors aloud on all kinds of gadgets, together with the telephones or tablets that run Android.

On most Android gadgets, the display reader device is known as TalkBack, and there are a number of methods you may allow it. On Samsung gadgets with software program variations sooner than One UI 3.1, TalkBack is often labeled as “Voice Assistant.” Despite having totally different names, Samsung says TalkBack and Voice Assistant supply the identical functionalities.

For this text, I used a Samsung Galaxy Note 9, so your expertise is likely to be barely totally different relying on which sort of Android system you’re utilizing.

Enable the display reader by way of settings

You can activate the display reader by way of your system’s settings. Here’s easy methods to activate TalkBack — or Voice Assistant — by way of your telephone’s settings.

• Open the Settings app in your system and select Accessibility.
• Select Screen reader (this would possibly seem as TalkBack in your system), after which toggle on Voice Assistant (this would possibly seem as Use TalkBack).
• To flip this setting off, double-tap the Voice Assistant (or Use TalkBack) toggle, after which double-tap the OK button to substantiate.

Enable TalkBack along with your system’s quantity rockers

One of the simplest methods to activate TalkBack is by holding down each of your system’s quantity rockers for 3 seconds.

If you haven’t enabled this shortcut but, your system would possibly ask you to take action, during which case you may merely faucet by way of the menu to substantiate that you just wish to flip it on. Once you’ve already activated this shortcut, you may merely maintain the buttons down for 3 seconds to show TalkBack on or off.

If your system didn’t invite you to allow the shortcut, you will want to do it by way of your TalkBack settings.

On a Samsung telephone, you are able to do this by navigating to the Settings app, selecting Accessibility > Advanced Settings > Volume up and down keys. From right here, make sure the Selected service is about to TalkBack, after which toggle it on.

On a Pixel or different Android telephone, you may toggle on the shortcut by going to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > TalkBack shortcut.

Adjust your settings

From the principle TalkBack / Voice Assistant web page, you may faucet Settings to reap the benefits of a variety of choices. For instance, you may regulate how a lot in your display can be described and the way to talk about lists; you may also arrange vibration suggestions or customise your menu. If you intend to make use of TalkBack typically, it’s actually worthwhile to spend a while adjusting it right here to fit your wants.

Turn on TalkBack utilizing Google Assistant

To swap on TalkBack utilizing Google Assistant, first be sure you have Google Assistant’s voice command options enabled.

You can activate Google Assistant by opening your system’s Google app, choosing your profile image within the top-right nook of the display, and selecting Settings > Google Assistant. Select Hey Google & Voice Match and toggle on Hey Google to begin utilizing the characteristic.

After that, to show TalkBack on, merely say “Hey Google, turn on TalkBack.” Conversely, you may also say “Hey Google, turn off TalkBack” to disable the display reader.