Making an app accessible isn’t just a checkbox in your development cycle; it’s about ensuring everyone can enjoy a great user experience, including users of screen reading software.
On Android, TalkBack is the go-to tool for navigating through apps without needing to see the screen, serving as the operating system’s built-in screen reader technology.
This guide introduces TalkBack testing essentials, provides tips to help you get comfortable with TalkBack, and explains why this is a key part of building inclusive Android apps.
Why TalkBack Testing Matters
Testing your app with TalkBack has several valuable benefits:
- Empowers Blind and Low-Vision Users: TalkBack enables Android users with visual impairments to interact with apps in meaningful ways. By testing with TalkBack, you ensure that these users can fully navigate and engage with your application fully, benefiting from its services and functionality.
- Enhances User Experience: Accessibility testing with TalkBack often leads to overall app improvements. Consistent navigation and clear labels benefit sighted users just as much as those who use screen readers.
- Meets Legal Standards: Digital accessibility regulations, such as the ADA and WCAG, set standards for ensuring that apps are usable for people with disabilities. Testing with TalkBack is a step toward complying with these standards.
- Expands Your Reach: By providing an accessible app, you can reach a wider audience, including those who depend on assistive technology to navigate digital spaces.
Getting Started with TalkBack
To start testing your app with TalkBack, you must first enable it on your Android device:
- Enable TalkBack
- a. Open Settings, then go to Accessibility.
- b. Select TalkBack and turn it on.
- c. You can also enable it by pressing both volume keys (after setting up the shortcut in Accessibility settings)
- Master Basic TalkBack Gestures
- a. Single-tap: TalkBack announces the item under your finger.
- b. Double-tap: Activates the selected item.
- c. Swipe left or right: Moves to the previous or next item, guiding the user step-by-step through each screen.
Performing an Accessibility Test with TalkBack
Once TalkBack is enabled, here’s a walkthrough to help you conduct a thorough test of your app’s accessibility:
1. Explore Main Screens
Navigate through the core screens of your app and listen as TalkBack reads each element. Make sure it announces all essential content, including headings, labels, and actionable items. Also, check that buttons, images, and icons have clear, descriptive labels—unlabeled items can cause confusion for TalkBack users, who rely on these descriptions to understand the purpose of each element.
2. Assess Navigation Flow
As you swipe through items, make sure that TalkBack’s focus moves in a logical order, transitioning smoothly from one element to the next. Confirm that it doesn’t skip any items or fall into “focus traps,” where the screen reader loops through certain elements repeatedly without letting users progress.
3. Run Through Core User Tasks
Perform typical user actions in your app, such as signing up, submitting a form, or browsing a catalog, to ensure that each task can be completed smoothly using TalkBack alone, without needing sighted assistance.
4. Monitor Dynamic Content Updates
If the screen content changes—such as with a new notification or an error message—ensure that TalkBack detects the update and that the focus shifts appropriately to the new content. This will keep users informed of important changes.
5. Look for Useful Hints and Instructions
TalkBack provides hints to guide users in interacting with controls, such as “double-tap to activate.” Ensure these hints are present and relevant for interactive elements like buttons and links.
Advantages of TalkBack Testing
Testing with TalkBack allows you to experience your app the way a screen reader user would, helping you identify issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, such as unlabeled elements or confusing navigation paths.
By prioritizing this type of user-focused testing, you create a more seamless experience that benefits everyone and ensures your app is accessible to all users.
Start by enabling TalkBack, learn the basic gestures, and practice going through key flows within your app. Integrating TalkBack testing into your development process brings you closer to a fully accessible app, benefiting everyone, especially those who rely on screen readers.
If you’d like to ensure your app meets global accessibility standards, consider booking an assessment with our team at Allyant. Our testing process centers on paired testing, in which a sighted user is paired with a user of screen reading software that leverages TalkBack daily. This gives you real-world insights into how your app performs.
How Allyant can help
By partnering with Allyant, you can ensure that your native mobile applications are not only compliant with the growing list of accessibility guidelines, but also effective and usable for all users.
Reach out today to talk with our team about supporting your organization with mobile accessibility and taking the next step toward creating a more inclusive app experience!
