TTY stands for teletypewriter, is a technology that used by those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Now these days, it has been added as built-in feature in smartphones and popularly known as TTY mode.
You must have seen the TTY mode in your phone settings in dialing area and now want to know about it. So let’s discuss what is TTY mode on a cell phone and how it works in detail below?
Do also check our latest article on how you can activate or deactivate this mode on an Android device!
What does TTY Mode Mean?
Many people on Google, search for TTY mode full form but it is just a term that stands for TeleTypewriter. This functionality is specially built to assist deaf and hearing impaired individuals.
Regarding TTY mode, it is a built in feature that you can see in the smartphones of different brands like Samsung, Oneplus, Vivo, Oppo, Redmi, Realme, Motorola etc and you can activate as per your need anytime.
Below we have explained about the TTY mode, so have a look at this feature and understand it in better way.
What is TTY Mode?
TTY mode is a legacy technology, and many hearing or speech impaired people can utilize SMS to communicate. There are also real-time IP technologies to make communication more accessible, but these require either a data plan or a digital telephone line.
TTY feature has been maintained for those who have no access to mobile data or are restricted to analog phone lines. Accessibility marches onward, but it’s still not quite everywhere.
Today many mobile devices or smartphones have the ability to connect to TTY devices that allow hearing-impaired people to communicate with others using a TTY device.
If your mobile has this mode, it can be easily connected to a TTY device, and later you can communicate with someone else who has a TTY device.
Unlike text messaging, TTY language and protocol is specially designed for instant communication. For example – the term “GA” stands for “Go Ahead”. It is basically a short text form that is used at the end of a sentence. It signifies that it is the other person’s turn to speak.
The biggest drawback of this function is that when you enable it on your phone, certain elements of your phone become unusable.
Here’s how to use TTY feature in a smartphone. If you want to use this mode the how would you Turn it ON or OFF? Let’s find out…!
Turn ON TTY Mode
You can connect your mobile headset to a TTY device by enabling TTY mode in your phone’s settings. You can usually find the TTY option under the General or Call settings menu.
As explained earlier, when you enable it then the device may cause you to lose the ability to receive non-TTY calls and text messages. You may also be unable to open certain applications on smartphones.
For Example: When this mode is ON then you can’t make video call. To make video call, you have to Turn OFF this mode.
Turn OFF TTY Mode
Disabling this mode makes your phone normal. You can use your phone to make and receive audio & video calls. You can also send the SMS (text messages) to other person without any problem. However after turning OFF TTY, you will not be able to receive or make TTY phone calls.
If you’re expecting a TTY phone call on your device, then it is better to enable it first. You need to enable your TTY mode ahead of time.
How to Turn off TTY mode on Motorola and Samsung Devices
- On Home screen, tap Phone ( If not available), navigate Apps > Phone
- Tap Menu > Settings.
- Tap Calls.
- Tap TTY mode then tap the desired option:
- TTY Off
Disables all TTY settings - TTY Full
Enables all TTY settings - TTY HCO
Enables HCO (Hearing Carry Over) - TTY VCO
Enables VCO (Voice Carry Over)
- TTY Off
The same settings you can use on other Android devices like Oppo, Vivo, Infinix, Realme, Readmi and it doesn’t matter you are using Android 12, Android 13, or latest Android 14…. it works without any issue.
TTY mode in OnePlus – Settings to Turn it OFF
- On Home screen, tap Phone ( If not available), navigate Apps > Phone
- Menu icon > Settings > Accessibility
- Tap TTY mode then select the preferred option:
- TTY Off
Disables all TTY settings - TTY Full
Enables all TTY settings - TTY HCO
Enables HCO (Hearing Carry Over) - TTY VCO
Enables VCO (Voice Carry Over)
- TTY Off
TTY Mode Variants
In the smartphones you will find the 3 Variants of TTY. When you select it to active or deactivate, you basically see options – Full, HCO, and VCO.
You can enable or disable these options as per your requirement under the phone’s general and call settings. Here’s detail explanation of all the modes that are available in a smartphone (if it comes with this feature):
- TTY FULL means you have activated only text base communication. In this form and you will get and send message by typing. The incoming and outgoing message will be in text form.
- TTY HCO (Hearing Carry Over) means you will receive voice read incoming message and reply by typing the text message.
- TTY VCO (Voice Carry Over) means you will receive text message and reply by voice (you will speak the outgoing text).
If you want to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired but do not have a TTY compatible phone, you can use the Telecommunications Relay Service in the US.
The service offers 24-hour assistance to anyone that calls 711. A trained operator will type your spoken message on their teletypewriter and send it on your behalf.
I hope you understood what is TTY mode on a cell phone and how it works. So guys don’t forget to share it on social sites and keep visiting us for more tech updates!!
