Accessibility controls, we keep telling you, hide many secrets on iOS. In our series of tutorials describing little-known functions on the iPhone, this new episode focuses on the Back Tap. This is the ability to initiate actions by touching the back of the iPhone.
Some prerequisites
To take advantage of this feature, you need a device running iOS 14 or later, on the other hand a not too old iPhone model. Here is the list of iPhones compatible with the Back Tap:
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- In addition to any iPhone with Face ID from 2020 and later
Note that the feature is exclusive to the iPhone, so it is not available on the iPad.
How to enable Back Tap on iPhone?
Just follow the following procedure:
- Go in Settings > Accessibility > Touch
© iPhon.fr
- Choose the last option “Touch the back of the device”
© iPhon.fr
- Two settings then appear: “Touch 2 times” and “Touch 3 times”
- To configure one or both of these settings, press one or the other and choose the desired option from the long list that appears.
© iPhon.fr
Among these available options are the following:
- Easy access
- Homepage
- Turn up the volume
- Lower the volume
- Screenshot
- Control center
- Notification Center
- Mute
- Accessibility shortcut
- Shake
- app switcher
- Siri
- spotlight
- Lock screen
You can also launch accessibility aids, as well as custom shortcuts from the Shortcuts application.
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For example, in the simplest way, and for the example, I configured the “Tap 2 times” to increase the volume, and the “Touch 3 times” to mute the volume. It works well even with a case on the iPhone.
Two pats on the back, left image. Three pats on the back, image on the right © iPhon.fr
How to Disable Back Tap on iPhone?
- Return to “Twice-tap” and “Three-tap” settings
- Choose the “None” option
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There you go, you now know how to configure this shortcut which can be very practical, provided you find the right idea according to its uses. Especially since being able to choose automations from the Shortcuts app for this feature makes the possibilities nearly endless.
Which shortcuts did you choose for the Back Tap on iPhone?
Also read all our iOS and macOS tutorials.
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