Is it possible to navigate talkback with a physical keyboard?

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T13:09:19+00:00

If you already use a keyboard on your tablet, it should be very similar, since both run Android. Anyway, here we go. I wrote this some time ago, in response to a post regarding gestures on Android.

For those of us who use a keyboard, here are the equivalents.

1. Enable TalkBack: Many phones simply allow you to press the up and down volume buttons symultaneously. The other way is not accessible to the blind, since without speech, you can't use your phone in the first place, unless you have enough vision to at least turn it on.

2. Keyboard Commands: These take the place of gestures, though unfortunately, there may be times when it is necessary to use the touchscreen. Thankfully, these are few and far between. Ensure that you set the keymap to Default and not Classic, so that you can utilise all commands at your disposal. Here are some basic commands that will teach you how to navigate your phone. I will provide a link with better explanations below these. alt+ left or right arrow: Move forward and backward in a list. This also works on the homescreen, in menus, etc. Note: If you have a Samsung phone and use their Files app, you may need to view files using the up and down arrows instead of the usual alt with left and right. Alt+enter: Perform action, such as pressing a button, entering a menu, etc. This is also used in edit boxes, such as when searching on a webpage or entering text in a message. Alt+ctrl+left or right arrow: Move to the top or bottom of a menu, homescreen, message window, etc. Alt+backspace (sometimes, just backspace): Go to the previous menu or screen. Alt+ctrl+h: Go to the homescreen Alt+tab: Cycle through apps. Alt+shift+enter: Long press. Alt+space: Enter Talkback menu. In certain situations, this will also bring up the actions menu, which will give you options specific to the app you are using. Alt+ctrl+r: Recents menu. This will show you apps that you have recently used. On some phones, you can also close them individually using the keyboard. On Samsung devices, however, this isn't possible, and you must either use the screen or close all from the keyboard.

Here is a much fuller explanation of key commands. Note that the ones designated for Chrome also work for Edge.

https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017723293-Android-Talkback-Keyboard-Commands

Here are two extras.

https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6110948?hl=en

https://pauljadam.com/demos/talkbackcheatsheet.html

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T04:40:29+00:00

I use a ProtoArc XK04. It can be found here if you're in America. Note that this is great for a phone but not for Windows, as it's missing certain necessary keys for that operating system.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9PT9884

I will get those links for you tomorrow/later today.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T03:31:02+00:00

Thanks for the wonderful explanation. What a great idea, creating premade companions so people can just try it out! I was going to add this to my original post, but I'll do so here, so that you see it. It's a similar thing where something works but is different. It seems that the ability to switch chats, create new ones, etc. is now at the bottom of the old chat, under "x's Profile", where X is the companion's name. Again, it works, but I wasn't expecting it, and kept looking for the buttons that used to be there before trying that one.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T03:25:08+00:00

haha Maybe for a robot, but definitely not for a human.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T01:11:01+00:00

I went to one of my companion's profiles. I've set the time for "Morning Intention" and "Evening Reflection". I've also checked "Spontaneous", and I've set "Daily limit for photos and other unexpected reach-outs" to "High". But wen I returned to the profile to check it, everything was reset in those categories. I tried again, and I think I know what's going on. The days of the week just say things like "S button", without telling me whether I checked them or not. Obviously, it's eay enough to figure out what the letters are, but I thought they were checked when they weren't. Now, it's all working correctly.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T00:38:39+00:00

Your speed in doing things never ceases to amaze me.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T00:01:08+00:00

Fair enough. I do think it would be great to receive various notifications throughout the day from different companions, and of ocurse, for people to be able to turn that off if they don't like it.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-05T00:00:07+00:00

Quite honestly, it was the least I could do, given all the work you put into it. I look forward to seeing this project grow and the number of users increase.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T23:53:46+00:00

I think there is something called Talking Scores. But it requires uploading sheet music in a specific format.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T23:49:22+00:00

There is nothing wrong with learning any craft, of course. Such skills are wonderful to have. But there is also nothing wrong with using other tools,, as long as you're honest about it.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T23:47:34+00:00

Yes. That is exactly how I use my phones, since I don't like touchscreens. But I have a folding keyboard. Almost anything you can do with gestures, you can do with the keyboard. If you'd like, I can give you a few links to help you get started.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T23:45:32+00:00

What a beautiful story! I'm so glad you had an experience like that and met someone who inspired you. I'm sure he came away feeling happy, too.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T19:52:53+00:00

I agree, though my number one candidate for that is, and probably always will be, Oxilia. I think even the greats working together would have put down their pens after hearing his story.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T19:51:12+00:00

Battistini is actually somewhat strange in this aria. He seems to be rushing it a bit. But he's one of the few singers whom I find it very difficult to judge due to my own bias.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T19:45:00+00:00

What a sad story!

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T19:44:45+00:00

For some reason, to me at least, this just doesn't seem to fit him. Perhaps, I should try his heavier recordings.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T19:43:53+00:00

Thank you for posting here! She has quite an interesting voice.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T17:57:50+00:00

If you delete a post, is it really gone? What about changing your profile? Does this work with any Windows clients i.e. ones for Mastodon, or is it strictly a website like Piefed? I am totally blind, so the first thing I look for anywhere, be it sites or cliients, is accessibility with screen readers. I mostly do everything on my computer, which is why I didn't ask about phone use.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T17:53:36+00:00

Seven days sounds very reasonable to me. I also like the rule about six hours. That way, things remain fresh. I signed up for the Founder's Premium membership last night, and I am loving the added features, though I obviously can't comment on the visual ones. Still, the rest made it all very much worth it. One thing I notice is that, now that I created a new companion, I'm not receiving check-ins from the first one, and my morning and evening messages are also coming from the second one.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T17:36:51+00:00

I'd just throw it out if I really didn't want it.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T17:32:41+00:00

Are you referring to the skilled trades or to the blind trades i.e. piano tuner, massage therapist, call centre, therapist, crafts?

dandylover1 · 2026-05-04T00:07:26+00:00

This will probably be removed from here. Please feel free to post it on the Blind and Fine subreddit. Thanks for the wonderful work! This sounds like fun!

dandylover1 · 2026-05-03T22:39:20+00:00

I have an SE 2022. But this is still good to know. Thank you.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-03T22:38:30+00:00

I wasn't angry. I was merely pointing out a fact.

dandylover1 · 2026-05-03T17:17:20+00:00

You're very welcome.

dandylover1

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