What you need
- An Amazon Fire tablet or an Android tablet. A bigger screen makes tiles larger and easier to tap.
- An AAC app, such as TalkTiles, which is free to start.
- A sturdy case, ideally one with a handle or strap.
Step 1: Install an AAC app
On a Fire tablet, open the Appstore, search for TalkTiles, and install it. On an Android tablet, use Google Play instead. TalkTiles opens straight to a starter board, with no account or setup needed.
Step 2: If you use a child profile, add the app to it
Fire tablets can have child profiles through Amazon Kids. Apps aren’t always available in a child profile automatically. From the parent profile, open the Amazon Kids settings for your child and use the option to add content or apps, then choose TalkTiles. Check that it opens from the child profile before you rely on it.
Step 3: Make sure it can be heard
- Turn the media volume up, and check the tablet isn’t connected to Bluetooth headphones or a speaker you’ve forgotten about.
- Open TalkTiles settings and play a voice sample. You can choose a voice and adjust its speed.
- Some cases cover or muffle the speaker. Test the sound with the case on.
Step 4: Stop the screen turning off mid-sentence
A short screen timeout can interrupt someone who taps slowly or pauses to think. In the tablet’s Settings → Display, choose a longer screen timeout. Remember that a longer timeout uses more battery.
Step 5: Protect it and make it easy to carry
An AAC tablet goes everywhere: the kitchen, the car, the park, the doctor’s office. A shock-absorbing case with a handle or shoulder strap protects it and makes it easier for the person to carry it themselves.
Step 6: Keep it charged and within reach
AAC is someone’s voice, so it should be available all day, not just at “practice time”. Charge it overnight in the same place each day, and keep it close during meals, play and outings. TalkTiles’ basic communication works offline, so it keeps working without Wi-Fi.
Step 7: Keep communication first
- Put the AAC app on the first home screen so it’s always one tap away.
- If the same tablet is used for videos and games, agree on simple rules so the AAC app is always available when it’s needed.
- Some families keep a separate tablet just for communication. If you can, it makes AAC easier to treat as a voice, not a toy.
The most important setting isn’t on the tablet: it’s modeling. Tap words yourself while you talk, so the person sees their AAC in action. Our core words guide has easy phrases to start with.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Fire tablet good enough for AAC?
For many families starting out, yes. An AAC app needs a reliable screen, a speaker and good battery life. If needs become more complex, a speech-language pathologist can help you decide whether a dedicated device would help.
Does TalkTiles need the internet on a Fire tablet?
No. Basic communication works offline. You need the internet for optional things like signing in or downloading voices.
Does TalkTiles work on other Android tablets?
Yes. On an Android tablet, install TalkTiles from Google Play and follow the same steps.