The appearance of a small sketchy man in the lower right corner of the smartphone screen Xiaomi often causes panic among users. This icon indicates that the accessibility feature known as TalkBackis enabled on your device. This option is intended for people with visual impairments and radically changes the logic of controlling the gadget: a single press now only selects an element, and a double tap is required to launch it.
Many owners encounter this problem by accident, by pressing a certain combination of buttons or activating a function in the settings through negligence. As a result, the familiar interface becomes inconvenient, and random voice acting becomes annoying. You can return to the previous comfort of use by simply deactivating this mode through the settings menu or using hot keys.
In this article we will look in detail at why this icon appears, how to quickly remove the little man from the screen and how to prevent it from accidentally turning on in the future. The instructions are relevant for most models. data-i="40">(in some firmware versions it may be called “Screen Narrator”). This is not a virus or a system error, but a standard accessibility tool built into the kernel Redmi And Poco with shell MIUI And HyperOS.
What does the man icon on the screen mean?
The icon in the form of a silhouette of a person is an indicator of the service's operation. TalkBack (in some firmware versions it may be called “Screen Narrator”). This is not a virus or a system error, but a standard accessibility tool built into the kernel Android. Its main task is to voice all user actions and interface elements out loud.
When this function is active, the system goes into a special navigation mode. Normal gestures no longer work the way you are used to. For example, scrolling the tape is done not with one finger, but with two. The appearance of an icon in the corner is a visual confirmation that the mode is enabled, so that the user or others understand the current state of the device.
Often activation occurs due to the “Accessibility Shortcut” function. If your settings allow TalkBack to be turned on by triple-pressing the power button or using the volume key combination, an accidental press in your pocket or bag can trigger this mode. Understanding the nature of this icon is the first step to successfully disabling it.
⚠️ Attention: When TalkBack mode is activated, phone control is blocked according to standard rules. Don't try to quickly tap icons with one finger - it won't work. Use double taps to select and swipe with two fingers to scroll.
Quick shutdown via power buttons
The easiest way to remove the annoying icon and return normal controls is to use hardware buttons. In modern versions MIUI by default, a combination is often configured for quick access to the accessibility menu. You won't have to wade through complicated settings if this method works.
Try pressing and holding both volume buttons (Volume up and Volume down) at the same time for 3-5 seconds. A pop-up window should appear on your screen asking you to disable the accessibility feature. Confirm the action by clicking “OK” (remember to double-click to confirm).
If the volume combination does not work, check the power button setting. Press and hold the screen power button for 5-10 seconds. In some configurations, a long hold brings up the shutdown menu or prompt to turn off TalkBack. If a menu appears with the “Use accessibility shortcut” slider, switch it to an inactive state.
Disable through phone settings
If hot keys do not help, you need to manually go to the settings menu. Please note that navigation will be difficult if this mode is enabled. To open the Settings application, find the gear icon, click on it once (it will be highlighted with a green or blue outline), and then quickly click again to enter.
Next, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Find the section Additional settings (or “Advanced settings”). Swipe up or down with two fingers to scroll the list.
- ♿ Select an item Special capabilities. Inside this menu, look for the “Vision” tab.
- 🗣️ Click on the item TalkBack. You will need to double-tap again to open the submenu.
- 🚫 Switch the main toggle switch to the “Off” position. The system will ask for confirmation - agree with the action.
After completing these actions, the little man icon will disappear from the lower right corner, and control will return to standard mode. If you cannot find the "Advanced Settings" item, use the search inside the settings menu. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the screen, enter the word “TalkBack” or “Special Features” (using the keyboard, which can work in normal mode or require special input).
☑️ Disabling algorithm through the menu
Remove the shortcut shortcut
Even after disabling the function itself, the icon may return if you do not disable the mechanism for its shortcut. To prevent the problem from recurring, you need to prohibit the system from turning on TalkBack by pressing a button. This is done in the same accessibility menu.
Go to the section Settings → Advanced Settings → Accessibility. At the top of the screen or in a separate subsection, find the item Accessibility Shortcut. Here you will see toggles for different combinations: “Hold Volume Buttons,” “Accessibility Button,” or “Hold Power Button.”
Disable all active toggles in this menu. It is especially important to uncheck the item responsible for holding the volume buttons, since it is this action that most often leads to accidental activation of the mode in your pocket. After this, the icon will no longer appear when accidentally pressed.
If the icon appears again immediately after a reboot, check the list of installed applications. Some optimization apps or launchers may have their own accessibility settings that conflict with the system.
Resetting accessibility settings
In rare cases, a software glitch can cause an icon to freeze on the screen or a feature not to be disabled using standard methods. In such a situation, you may need to reset the settings specifically for the accessibility module, without affecting the user's personal data.
To do this, go to the menu Settings → Applications → All applications. In the list, find the system application “Accessibility” or “Android Accessibility Suite”. Go to its properties and select Clear, and then Clear everything (or “Reset”). This will return the accessibility settings to the factory state.
After clearing the cache and application data, restart your smartphone. When turned on, the system reinitializes accessibility services and the issue that was causing the icon to remain displayed should be resolved. If the problem persists, you may need to reset your phone more deeply.
| Action | Where to find | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Quick shutdown | Volume buttons (hold) | Instant shutdown |
| Complete shutdown | Settings → Accessibility | TalkBack function deactivated |
| Ban shortcut | Accessibility shortcut | Protection against accidental activation |
| Reset application | Applications → Clear | Eliminating software failures |
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface may vary slightly depending on the version MIUI (12, 13, 14) or new HyperOS. If you do not see the exact name of the item, look for synonyms or use a search in the settings.
Why the function turns on itself
Users often complain that the little man appears without their knowledge. The main reason lies in the sensitivity of the touch buttons or mechanical pressure. When the phone is in a tight case or a tight pocket, prolonged squeezing of the side keys is interpreted by the system as a command to turn on accessibility.
Another reason is a software update. After installing a new version Android or shell Xiaomi Some settings may be reset to default, where the Accessibility shortcut may sometimes be enabled. It's also worth checking to see if you have any applications installed that require accessibility rights to function (for example, password managers or task automators).
Sometimes the culprit is moisture or dirt in the area of the volume buttons. If the contacts close, the phone “thinks” that you are holding down the keys. In this case, you should carefully wipe the joints of the buttons and the case with a dry cloth.
Technical details of TalkBack
The TalkBack service works at the system level and intercepts screen touch events before they reach regular applications. That is why, when it is turned on, standard gestures (swipe with one finger, single tap) are blocked and replaced with special commands for the visually impaired.
Frequently asked questions about setting up the interface
Below are answers to the most popular questions related to managing accessibility features on smartphones Redmi i Poco. This information will help you better navigate the system and avoid mistakes in the future.
Is it possible to remove the TalkBack application completely?
No, TalkBack is a system component Android and cannot be removed by standard means. You can only turn it off. Attempts to remove it through third-party apps may lead to unstable operation of the system.
The icon prevents you from taking screenshots, what should you do?
In accessibility mode, a screenshot is taken using a combination of buttons Volume down + Power (hold for 1-2 seconds) or through the notification panel (swipe down with two fingers to open the curtain, then double tap on the screenshot icon).
The phone started telling all my actions, is this normal?
Yes, this is a direct consequence of turning on the mode TalkBack. The phone speaks button names, message text and actions to help blind users. Disable the function according to the instructions above to restore silence.
After disabling, the icon remains on the screen?
If the visual shortcut icon remains, but the functions do not work, try restarting the device. If this does not help, check in the “Special Features” section to see if the “Accessibility Menu” item is activated, which also displays the icon on the screen.
The main reason for the appearance of the little man is the accidental activation of the shortcut by special buttons. Disabling this shortcut in the settings will reliably protect you from repeating the situation.