Your iPhone has a secret button thats seriously useful – heres how to unlock it
Kerry Wan/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Back Tap lets you trigger actions with double or triple taps. You can customize it to open apps, controls, or shortcuts. It works on most iPhones and even through many cases. The iPhone has a button on its back. You…
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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Back Tap lets you trigger actions with double or triple taps.
- You can customize it to open apps, controls, or shortcuts.
- It works on most iPhones and even through many cases.
The iPhone has a button on its back. You can’t see it, but with a double or triple tap on the Apple logo, you can open an app, access a system menu, or launch a shortcut. This feature is called Back Tap, and it’s actually been available since iOS 14. The best part is it’s completely customizable. You can set it to do whatever you want, and change it at any time.
I first tried Back Tap years ago, and it quickly became one of those features I use every day. Instead of swiping through menus or hunting for apps, I just tap the back of my phone. It’s one of the fastest ways to get things done.
How to use Back Tap on iPhone
What you’ll need: An iPhone 8 or newer running the latest version of iOS.
Scroll to the bottom and select Back Tap. Now you can start customizing the back button on your iPhone.
You’ll see two options: Double Tap and Triple Tap. You can use one or both, and assign different actions to them.
There should be a long list of actions available under Double Tap and Triple Tap, including system controls, accessibility features, and even some apps. Pick one, and it’ll instantly be active. Just tap the back of your phone to trigger it.
Tip: Tap directly on the Apple logo (or near the center of the back of your phone if you’re using a case), and be quick and deliberate with your taps.
What can I do with Back Tap?
Back Tap supports a wide range of actions, but the best setup really depends on how you use your phone.
At a basic level, you can control system features, like opening Control Center and Notification Center. You can also trigger a screenshot, lock rotation, or adjust volume. Accessibility features are available as well, including VoiceOver, Zoom, AssistiveTouch, and Background Sounds. Popular apps are supported, too, including ChatGPT, Snapchat, Amazon, and more.
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The most powerful option is probably Shortcuts. If you create a custom shortcut, Back Tap can run it instantly. That means you can combine multiple actions into one tap. For example, you could open ChatGPT and start a voice session, or take a screenshot and save it to a specific folder. This is where Back Tap goes from convenient to genuinely useful and fun to customize.
You get both double tap and triple tap, so you can use them differently. For example, you might use double tap for something you do constantly, like opening Snapchat, and triple tap for something less frequent, like triggering a shortcut.
Will Back Tap work with the case on my iPhone?
Yes. It works through most cases, including thicker ones, though sensitivity can vary slightly. If you have a PopSocket or another grip covering the back of your phone, however, you likely won’t be able to trigger Back Tap.
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Why is Back Tap not working for me?
Your taps need to be quick and deliberate. Slower taps, or tapping too lightly, can prevent Back Tap from triggering.
Is there any feedback when Back Tap activates?
There is no haptic feedback, but you can enable a banner notification in the Back Tap menu to confirm it has been triggered.
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How do I turn Back Tap off?
Go back to the Back Tap menu in Settings and set both Double Tap and Triple Tap to “None.”
