Use a screen reader with Surface Duo
Surface Duo runs on Android and has the screen reader TalkBack installed. TalkBack describes the action on your screen verbally so that you can use your Surface Duo without seeing the screen. For example, you’ll hear a TalkBack announcement when you maximize an app across both screens, or move it from one screen to another.
For a full set of TalkBack documentation, go to the Android Accessibility Help site.
To turn on the Volume key shortcut for accessibility:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack.
- Turn on Use TalkBack.
- Tap TalkBack shortcut.
Learn more about the volume key shortcut
To turn TalkBack on:
- Press the Volume up and Volume down buttons for 3 seconds
Or
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and turn on Use TalkBack.
- The first time you turn on TalkBack, you’ll need to allow the service to start, and there will be a bit of setting up to do.
Learn more about how to get started with TalkBack
Basic default TalkBack gestures
| To | Do this |
|---|---|
| Turn TalkBack on | Press both volume keys for 3 seconds |
| Move to the next item | Swipe right |
| Move to the previous item | Swipe left |
| Activate an item | Double tap |
| Scroll in a page | Drag with two fingers slightly separated |
| Go back | Swipe down then left |
| Open notifications | Swipe right then down |
| Open local context menu | Swipe up then right |
Select to Speak
Have any text on your Surface Duo read aloud using Select to Speak. For more details, go to Android Accessibility Help.
To turn on Select to Speak, go to Settings > Accessibility > Select to Speak > Select to Speak shortcut.
More about Surface Duo accessibility and TalkBack
- Surface Duo accessibility overview
- Android TalkBack help
- Make things on your Surface Duo easier to see
- Change your Surface Duo audio and caption settings
- Android Accessibility Help
- Contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk with any accessibility questions or concerns