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TalkBack

TalkBack is a free screen reader for Android devices and uses touch gestures.

Install

The Android Accessibility Suite can be found on the Google Play Store.

How to find your version

  1. Open settings
  2. Tap "accessibility"
  3. Tap "TalkBack"
  4. Tap "Settings"
  5. Scroll to the bottom, and the current TalkBack version will be listed

Guides, Documentation, and resources

Modes

TalkBack does not have the same concept of modes that many other screen readers have.

Commands

The following are some common commands.

Common

TaskCommandNotes
Read next itemSwipe right (or alt+right arrow)
Select next optionSwipe right
Select previous optionSwipe left
Next reading controlswipe down, then upThis command changes the type of control is found with the swipe up or swipe down gestures. You can customize the controls found in this menu by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.
Next reading controlswipe up, then downThis command changes the type of control is found with the swipe up or swipe down gestures. You can customize the controls found in this menu by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.
Read previous itemSwipe left (or alt+left arrow)

General

TaskCommandNotes
Activate buttondouble tap (or alt+enter)
Activate linkdouble tap
Go backSwipe down, then left (or alt+del)
Go to home screenSwipe up, then left (or alt+ctrl+h)
Show talkback menuSwipe up then right (or alt+space)Available as of Talkback 9.1
Next reading controlswipe down, then upThis command changes the type of control is found with the swipe up or swipe down gestures. You can customize the controls found in this menu by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.
Next reading controlswipe up, then downThis command changes the type of control is found with the swipe up or swipe down gestures. You can customize the controls found in this menu by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.
Next landmarkswipe down after changing the reading control to 'landmarks' (alt+D)this reading control is not in the reading controls menu by default. You can enable it by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.
Turn OffIn settings (no shortcut)
Turn OnPower button, then hold two fingerswhen setting is enabled

Reading

TaskCommand
Read from current positionswipe up then right, select 'read from next item'
Read next itemSwipe right (or alt+right arrow)
Read previous itemSwipe left (or alt+left arrow)
Stop readingSingle tap
scroll backSwipe left then right
scroll forwardSwipe right then left
next heading (correct reading control must be selected)Swipe down (alt+H)
previous heading (correct reading control must be selected)Swipe up
next link (correct reading control must be selected)Swipe down (alt+L)
previous link (correct reading control must be selected)Swipe up (alt+shift+L)
next control (correct reading control must be selected)Swipe down (alt+c)
previous control (correct reading control must be selected)Swipe up (alt+shift+c)

Forms

TaskCommandNotes
Activate buttondouble tap (or alt+enter)
Activate form controldouble tap
select an optionDouble tapmust be in a listbox context, and this is native browser behavior.
enter text<enter text>must be in a form or application context, and this is native browser behavior.
increment value (must be on a role that supports the command)volume up button
decrement value (must be on a role that supports the command)volume down button

Elements

TaskCommandNotes
Next reading controlswipe down, then upThis command changes the type of control is found with the swipe up or swipe down gestures. You can customize the controls found in this menu by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.
Next reading controlswipe up, then downThis command changes the type of control is found with the swipe up or swipe down gestures. You can customize the controls found in this menu by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.
Next landmarkswipe down after changing the reading control to 'landmarks' (alt+D)this reading control is not in the reading controls menu by default. You can enable it by going to customize menus > customize reading controls.