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:

To switch keymaps, learn how to change keyboard shortcut settings .
Unassigned commands are available but not assigned to a key shortcut. You can choose to assign a key shortcut.

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:

Open the TalkBack Menu.
Select TalkBack settings 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 Altfor your shortcuts. To choose a different modifier key (TalkBack key), open TalkBack settings. Then, select Advanced settings and then Keyboard shortcuts 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 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:

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.
Select TalkBack settings Advanced settings Keyboard shortcuts.
Under “Keymap,” select Choose a keymap.
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 .