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 Alt for 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.