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 a full set of TalkBack documentation, go to the Android Accessibility Help site.
To turn on the Volume key shortcut for accessibility:
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Go to Settings > Accessibility > Volume key shortcut
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Turn on Use service
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Tap Shortcut service, then choose the accessibility feature you want to start when you press the Volume up + Volume down buttons for 3 seconds. By default, once turned on the Volume key shortcut will turn on TalkBack.
To turn TalkBack on:
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Press the Volume up and Volume down buttons for 3 seconds
Or
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Go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and turn on Use service.
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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.
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 |
|
Open global context menu |
Swipe down then right |
This table gives the default gesture for each action, but you can customize them
To customize your TalkBack gestures, go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > Settings > Gestures. Then tap the gesture you want to customize.
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 and then turn on Use service.
More about Surface Duo accessibility and TalkBack
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Contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk with any accessibility questions or concerns