Use TalkBack keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to have TalkBack read, navigate your screen, or manage your settings.

Step 1: Set up your device & keyboard

To use keyboard shortcuts with TalkBack, connect an external keyboard to your Android device.

Learn how to connect through Bluetooth on your device.

Step 2: Use keyboard shortcuts

In TalkBack, there are 2 sets of keyboard shortcuts called keymaps.

  • Default keymap: Most devices use the Default keymap. There are fewer keyboard shortcuts.
  • Enhanced keymap: It includes commands with a focus on web navigation and is designed to work with Browse mode. On your first activation of TalkBack 16.2 or later, Enhanced keymap is turned on by default.

Tips:

Understand the TalkBack key

Most TalkBack keyboard shortcuts start with the TalkBack key. The TalkBack key is the Alt or Action key in the Default keymap. The TalkBack key is the Action key in the Enhanced keyboard, which can vary based on the keyboard:

  • Windows keyboard: Use the Windows key.
  • Mac keyboard: Use the Command key ⌘.

To switch to Enhanced keymap:

  1. Open the TalkBack Menu.
  2. Select TalkBack settings and then Keyboard shortcuts.

Tip: When you use a physical keyboard, TalkBack includes a keyboard tutorial to help you learn the keyboard shortcuts and commands for the Enhanced keymap. To access the tutorial, in the TalkBack Menu, select TalkBack settings and then TalkBack tutorial.

Default keymap

Basic navigation

Navigate to item

  • Next item: In continuous reading mode, this shortcut fast-forwards the text.
  • Previous item: In continuous reading mode, this shortcut rewinds the text.
  • Next: TalkBack key + Right arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Left arrow

Navigate to category (based on reading controls)

  • Next: TalkBack key + Up arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Down arrow

Navigate to first or last item

  • First: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Left arrow
  • Last: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Right arrow

Navigate to window or system element

  • Previous window or system element: In split screen view, this shortcut moves your focus between 2 open apps. Otherwise, it moves focus between the navigation bar, main screen, and status bar.
  • Next: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Down arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Up arrow

Navigate to word

  • Next: TalkBack key + Shift + Ctrl + Left arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + Ctrl + Right arrow

Element actions

Perform click

TalkBack key + Enter

Perform long-click

TalkBack key + Shift + Enter

Show actions

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Space

System actions

Open apps list

Double-press Action key

Back

TalkBack key + Delete

Home

TalkBack key + Ctrl + h

Recent apps

TalkBack key + Ctrl + r

Notifications

TalkBack key + Ctrl + n

Play or pause media

TalkBack key + Shift + Space

Reading controls

Stop speech

  • TalkBack 16.2 and later: Ctrl
  • TalkBack 16.1 and older: Press any key

Reading control

  • Next: TalkBack key + Shift + Ctrl + Down arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + Ctrl + Up arrow

Adjust reading control

  • Up: TalkBack key + Shift + Up arrow
  • Down: TalkBack key + Shift + Down arrow

Informational commands

Read from focused item

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + Enter

Read from top

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Enter

Chrome web page navigation

Use these shortcuts to move to the next or previous element on a page.

Navigate to character

  • Next: TalkBack key + Shift + Right arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + Left arrow

Navigate to word

  • Next: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + Right arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + Left arrow

Navigate to ARIA landmark

  • Next: TalkBack key + d
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + d

Navigate to button

  • Next: TalkBack key + b
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + b

Navigate to checkbox

  • Next: TalkBack key + x
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + x

Navigate to combobox

  • Next: TalkBack key + z
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + z

Navigate to control

  • Next: TalkBack key + c
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + c

Navigate to edit field

  • Next: TalkBack key + e
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + e

Navigate to focusable item

  • Next: TalkBack key + f
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + f

Navigate to graphic

  • Next: TalkBack key + g
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + g

Navigate to heading

  • Next: TalkBack key + h
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + h

Navigate to heading 1

  • Next: TalkBack key + 1
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + 1

Navigate to heading 2

  • Next: TalkBack key + 2
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + 2

Navigate to heading 3

  • Next: TalkBack key + 3
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + 3

Navigate to heading 4

  • Next: TalkBack key + 4
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + 4

Navigate to heading 5

  • Next: TalkBack key + 5
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + 5

Navigate to heading 6

  • Next: TalkBack key + 6
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + 6

Navigate to link

  • Next: TalkBack key + l
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + l

Navigate to visited link

  • Next: TalkBack key + v
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + v

Navigate to unvisited link

  • Next: TalkBack key + u
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + u

Navigate to list

  • Next: TalkBack key + o
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + o

Navigate to list item

  • Next: TalkBack key + i
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + i

Navigate to table

  • Next: TalkBack key + t
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + t

Navigate to column

  • Next: Unassigned command
  • Previous: Unassigned command

Navigate to current column

  • Beginning: Unassigned command
  • End: Unassigned command

Navigate to row

  • Next: Unassigned command
  • Previous: Unassigned command

Navigate to current row

  • Beginning: Unassigned command
  • End: Unassigned command

Navigate to end of table

  • Beginning: Unassigned command
  • End: Unassigned command

TalkBack controls

Select reading control

  • Next: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + Down arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + Up arrow

Adjust reading control

  • Up: TalkBack key + Shift + Down arrow
  • Down: TalkBack key + Shift + Up arrow

Hide or show screen

Unassigned command

Copy last spoken phrase

Unassigned command

Show installed languages

TalkBack key + Ctrl + l

Show TalkBack Menu

TalkBack key + Space

Search the screen for an item

TalkBack key + Ctrl + /

Tip: You can choose a key other than Alt for your shortcuts. To choose a different modifier key (TalkBack key), open TalkBack settings. Then, select Advanced settings and then Keyboard shortcuts and then Choose modifier key.

Enhanced keymap

Explore Browse mode

When you use a physical keyboard, you can efficiently navigate web pages and documents with Browse mode. You can quickly move between elements like headings, links, and tables when specific jump commands are enabled by Browse mode. The Enhanced keymap works closely with Browse mode.

To turn on Browse mode, double-press TalkBack key.

  • Smart Browse mode: This automatically manages your keyboard experience while you browse the web. To help you type in an edit field, this mode automatically turns off Browse mode. When you move to a non-edit field, it turns it back on.
    • To manage this setting:
      1. Open the TalkBack Menu.
      2. Select TalkBack settings and then Advanced settings.
  • Browse mode shortcuts on Braille display: If you use a Braille display to navigate content directly from your display, you can use Browse mode shortcuts. Learn how to use braille keystrokes and the TalkBack braille keyboard.

Basic navigation

Navigate to item

  • Next item: In continuous reading mode, this shortcut fast-forwards the text.
  • Previous item: In continuous reading mode, this shortcut rewinds the text.
  • Next: TalkBack key + Right arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Left arrow

Navigate to category (based on reading controls)

  • Next: TalkBack key + Up arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Down arrow

Navigate to container

  • Next: TalkBack key + Alt + Ctrl + Right arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Alt + Ctrl + Left arrow

Navigate to window or system element

  • Previous window or system element: In split screen view, this shortcut moves your focus between 2 open apps. Otherwise, it moves focus between the navigation bar, main screen, and status bar.
  • Next: TalkBack key + Alt + Ctrl + Down arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Alt + Ctrl + Up arrow

Navigate to first or last item

  • First: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Left arrow
  • Last: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Right arrow

Show forms list

TalkBack key + Ctrl + f

Show headings list

TalkBack key + Ctrl + h

Show landmarks list

TalkBack key + Ctrl + d

Show links list

TalkBack key + Ctrl + k

Show tables list

TalkBack key + Ctrl + t

Element actions

Perform click

TalkBack key + Space

Perform long-click

TalkBack key + Shift + Space

Show actions

TalkBack key + Ctrl + a

System actions

Open apps list

Action key

Home

Unassigned command

Notifications

Unassigned command

Play or pause media

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Enter

Recent apps

Unassigned command

Back

Unassigned command

Reading controls

Stop speech

Ctrl

Speech pitch

  • Increase: TalkBack key + Shift + Volume up
  • Decrease: TalkBack key + Shift + Volume down

Speech rate

  • Increase: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Volume up
  • Decrease: TalkBack key + Ctrl + Volume down

Speech volume

  • Increase: TalkBack key + Volume up
  • Decrease: TalkBack key + Volume down

Reset speech rate and pitch

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + \

Cycle punctuation level

TalkBack key + Ctrl + p

Cycle typing echo

TalkBack key + Ctrl + 2

Turn sound feedback (earcons) on or off

TalkBack key + Shift + e

Informational commands

Read from focused item

TalkBack key + Ctrl + r

Read from top

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + r

Speak column header

Alt + Ctrl + c (Browse mode only)

Speak row header

Alt + Ctrl + r (Browse mode only)

Speak battery percentage

TalkBack key + r, then b

Speak window title

TalkBack key + r, then t

Speak current date and time

TalkBack key + r, then d

Describe image

TalkBack key + r, then i

Describe screen

TalkBack key + r, then s

Describe text formatting

TalkBack key + r, then f

Speak current focus

TalkBack key + r, then r

Speak page URL

TalkBack key + r, then u (Browse mode only)

Speak URL

TalkBack key + r, then l

Chrome web page navigation

These commands are only applicable in Browse mode.

Navigate to character

  • Next: Right arrow
  • Previous: Left arrow

Navigate to word

  • Next: Ctrl + Right arrow
  • Previous: Ctrl + Left arrow

Navigate to line

  • Next: Down arrow
  • Previous: Up arrow

Navigate to ARIA landmark

  • Next: d
  • Previous: Shift + d

Navigate to button

  • Next: b
  • Previous: Shift + b

Navigate to checkbox

  • Next: x
  • Previous: Shift + x

Navigate to combo box

  • Next: c
  • Previous: Shift + c

Navigate to control

  • Next: f
  • Previous: Shift + f

Navigate to edit field

  • Next: e
  • Previous: Shift + e

Navigate to focusable item

  • Next: Unassigned command
  • Previous: Unassigned command

Navigate to graphic

  • Next: g
  • Previous: Shift + g

Navigate to heading

  • Next: h
  • Previous: Shift + h

Navigate to heading 1

  • Next: 1
  • Previous: Shift + 1

Navigate to heading 2

  • Next: 2
  • Previous: Shift + 2

Navigate to heading 3

  • Next: 3
  • Previous: Shift + 3

Navigate to heading 4

  • Next: 4
  • Previous: Shift + 4

Navigate to heading 5

  • Next: 5
  • Previous: Shift + 5

Navigate to heading 6

  • Next: 6
  • Previous: Shift + 6

Navigate to link

  • Next: k
  • Previous: Shift + k

Navigate to visited link

  • Next: v
  • Previous: Shift + v

Navigate to unvisited link

  • Next: u
  • Previous: Shift + u

Navigate to list

  • Next: l
  • Previous: Shift + l

Navigate to list item

  • Next: i
  • Previous: Shift + i

Navigate to table

  • Next: t
  • Previous: Shift + t

Navigate to radio button

  • Next: r
  • Previous: Shift + r

Navigate to column

  • Previous: Alt + Ctrl + Left arrow
  • Next: Alt + Ctrl + Right arrow

Navigate to current column

  • Beginning: Alt + Ctrl + Shift + Up arrow
  • End: Alt + Ctrl + Shift + Down arrow

Navigate to row

  • Previous: Alt + Ctrl + Up arrow
  • Next: Alt + Ctrl + Down arrow

Navigate to current row

  • Beginning: Alt + Ctrl + Shift + Left arrow
  • End: Alt + Ctrl + Shift + Right arrow

Navigate to table

  • Beginning: Alt + Ctrl + Home
  • End: Alt + Ctrl + End

TalkBack controls

Stop speech

Ctrl

Select reading control

  • Next: TalkBack key + Shift + Right arrow
  • Previous: TalkBack key + Shift + Left arrow

Adjust reading control

  • Down: TalkBack key + Shift + Up arrow
  • Up: TalkBack key + Shift + Down arrow

Hide or show screen

TalkBack key + Brightness up

Copy last spoken phrase

TalkBack key + Ctrl + c

Show installed languages

TalkBack key + Ctrl + l

Show TalkBack Menu

TalkBack key + Ctrl + m

Search the screen for an item

TalkBack key + Ctrl + /

Open voice commands

TalkBack key + \

Turn Browse mode on or off

Double-press TalkBack key

Open tutorial

TalkBack key + Shift + 0 (zero)

Practice keyboard shortcuts

TalkBack key + 0 (zero)

Open TalkBack settings

TalkBack key + o, then s

Open text-to-speech settings

TalkBack key + o, then t

Send feedback

TalkBack key + o, then i

Show keyboard shortcuts list

TalkBack key + Shift + /

Pass through to system

TalkBack key + Shift + Esc

Start or end selection mode

TalkBack key + Shift + s

Turn speech on or off

TalkBack key + Volume mute

Show or hide on-screen braille for connected braille displays

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + o

Switch between contracted (grade 2) and uncontracted (grade 1)

TalkBack key + Ctrl + Shift + g

Change your keyboard shortcut settings

To switch between keymaps:

  1. Open the TalkBack Menu.
    • On devices with multi-finger gestures: Three-finger tap. Or, in one motion, swipe down then right.
    • On devices without multi-finger gestures (prior to updated Android R with TalkBack 9.1): In one motion, swipe down then right.
  2. Select TalkBack settings and then Advanced settings and then Keyboard shortcuts.
  3. Under "Keymap," select Choose a keymap.
  4. Choose a keymap:
    • Default keymap
    • Enhanced keymap

Tip: You can reassign keyboard shortcuts. On the settings screen, select the shortcut. Then, follow the on-screen instructions.

Get more help

For more Accessibility help, contact the Disability Support team.