Screen reader keyboard shortcuts for mobile apps on Windows

Important

Starting March 5, 2025, Windows Subsystem for Android™ and the Amazon Appstore aren't available in the Microsoft Store.

These are the keyboard commands you can use with mobile apps on Windows. To use them, you'll need to turn on the Subsystem Screen Reader:

  1. Select Start, enter Windows Subsystem for Android, then choose the app from the results. Make sure the Subsystem screen reader is turned on.
  2. On your keyboard, press Windows logo key + Ctrl + T to turn it on or off. You can do this any time you're using an app in the Subsystem.

The Subsystem Screen Reader only supports keyboard input. When the Subsystem Screen Reader is on, touch input for mobile apps is automatically turned off.

Android is a trademark of Google LLC.

Keyboard shortcuts

Action Shortcut
Back Alt + Backspace
Navigate to the next item
(In continuous reading, this shortcut fast-forwards the text.)		 Alt + Right arrow
Navigate to the previous item
(In continuous reading, this shortcut rewinds the text)		 Alt + Left arrow
Navigate to the item above Alt + Up arrow
Navigate to the item below Alt + Down arrow
Navigate to the first item Alt + Ctrl + Left arrow
Navigate to the last item Alt + Ctrl + Right arrow
Navigate to the next word Alt + Shift + Ctrl + Right arrow
Navigate to the previous word Alt + Shift + Ctrl + Left arrow
Navigate to the next character Alt + Shift + Right arrow
Navigate to the previous character Alt + Shift + Left arrow
Select the focused element Alt + Enter
Select and hold the focused element Alt + Shift + Enter
Read from top Alt + Ctrl + Enter
Read from next item Alt + Ctrl + Shift + Enter

Webpage navigation

Use these shortcuts to move to the next or previous element on a page. You’ll need to be in a web view, not just a standard element of an app.

Element Shortcut
ARIA landmark
  • Next: Alt + D
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + D
Button
  • Next: Alt + B
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + B
Checkbox
  • Next: Alt + X
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + X
Combo box
  • Next: Alt + Z
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + Z
Ctrl
  • Next: Alt + C
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + C
Editable field
  • Next: Alt + E
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + E
Focus item
  • Next: Alt + F
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + F
Graphic
  • Next: Alt + G
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + G
Heading
  • Next: Alt + H
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + H
Heading levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6
  • Next: Alt +(1-6)
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + (1-6)
Link
  • Next: Alt + L
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + L
List
  • Next: Alt + O
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + O
List item
  • Next: Alt + I
  • Previous: Alt + shift + I
Table
  • Next: Alt + T
  • Previous: Alt + Shift + T

Leave feedback on your experience

Microsoft is always looking to improve your experience. Here's how to leave us feedback in Feedback hub:

  • If you’re using Windows Narrator, press Narrator (Caps lock + Alt + F) to leave feedback.
  • Select Start, enter Feedback Hub, then open the app. Enter feedback in the search bar and select Add feedback if you can’t find any similar to your experience.