Spoken feedback: How to enable/disable the TalkBack feature on your Xperia device

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

TalkBack is a pre-installed screen reader service that uses various forms of feedback (spoken, audible, vibration) to help blind and visually impaired users interact with their Xperia devices more easily. It describes any actions you take, along with any menus, settings, or features you touch and activate.

If you only hear spoken feedback every time you tap the screen, you may have the TalkBack feature enabled on your device. Keep in mind that TalkBack is only activated if you explicitly turn it on in the Accessibility settings, or via a shortcut method using the volume keys or Accessibility button.

How to enable/disable TalkBack

Via the volume keys:

• Press and hold the (+/–) volume keys on the side of your phone or tablet at the same time to activate the TalkBack feature. Perform this action again to turn it Off.

Via the Accessibility settings:

1. Find and tap Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack.
2. Tap the slider beside TalkBack or On.
   To disable TalkBack, tap the slider again.

Notes:

• If TalkBack is already activated: After each step, double-tap anywhere on the screen to confirm your choice.
• The exact text will depend on your Android menu options.
• After switching the slider, some models may ask you to tap Allow to enable TalkBack, or Stop to disable it.
• TalkBack launches a tutorial immediately after you enable the feature. To exit the tutorial, tap the  (Back button).

How to create a TalkBack shortcut

1. Find and tap Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack.
2. Tap the TalkBack shortcut text.
3. Select Tap accessibility button/Hold volume keys, or both.
4. Tap Save.

Notes:

• If TalkBack is already activated: After each step, double-tap anywhere on the screen to confirm your choice.
• If you select Hold volume keys, simply press and hold the (+/–) volume keys on the side of your phone or tablet at the same time to activate the TalkBack feature. Perform this action again to turn it Off.
• If you select Tap accessibility button, the Accessibility button will appear on the side of your screen.
  • To activate TalkBack, tap the Accessibility button once.
  • To disable TalkBack, tap the Accessibility button, then double-tap anywhere on the screen.

​​​​​How to control your Xperia device while TalkBack is activated

• To select an item on the screen (e.g. menu, icon, setting), tap it once to preselect it with a coloured box, and then double-tap anywhere on the screen to confirm your choice.
• To scroll/slide/flick, use two fingers instead of one.

How to adjust your TalkBack preferences
 

How to find the TalkBack settings:

• Find and tap Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings.
   

How to adjust the speech speed:

• The steps will depend on your Android menu options:
  • Find and tap Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-speech output > Speech rate.
  • Find and tap Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings > Text-to-speech settings.

How to adjust the speech volume:

• The steps will depend on your Android menu options:
  • Settings > Sound > Volumes.
    • Adjust the slider for Music, video, games, & other media to the left or right.
  • Settings > Sound & vibration.
    • Adjust the slider for Media volume to the left or right.
  • Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings > Sound and vibration > Sound feedback volume.
    • Select your preferred speech volume:
      • Match speech volume
      • 75% of speech volume
      • 50% of speech volume
      • 25% of speech volume

Notes:

• If TalkBack is already activated: After each step, double-tap anywhere on the screen to confirm your choice.
• Depending on your Android menu options, you can select Play to hear a sample of the speed rate, or Reset to clear your changes.
• To quickly adjust the speech volume, press the (+) or (–) volume key on the side of your phone or tablet when you hear spoken feedback.