A new screen reader called Backtalk has been released for Android devices, offering users an alternative to Google’s TalkBack.
Released in September 2026, Backtalk is a free, open-source project based on Google’s existing screen reader. It includes several additional features for people who are blind or have low vision.
These include new navigation gestures, faster responses when moving through menus, improvements to braille keyboard functionality and features designed to make audio games easier to use.
Backtalk has been developed independently of Google and is not currently available through the Google Play Store. Users need some technical knowledge to install it, so it may not be suitable for everyone.
The project is still in its early stages of development, but it offers another option for Android users interested in trying different screen reader features. As a newer project, its performance and reliability have not yet been widely tested.
More information, including installation instructions, is available through the Backtalk project on GitHub.