Most iPhone users interact with their devices by tapping the screen, but a lesser-known feature called Back Tap offers a faster, more discreet way to control your phone. Available on iPhones as far back as the iPhone 8 (running iOS 14 or later), Back Tap allows you to trigger actions – from opening the camera to launching custom shortcuts – simply by tapping the back of your device.
What is Back Tap?
Introduced in iOS 14, Back Tap leverages the sensors in your iPhone to recognize double or triple taps on the device’s rear panel. This provides an additional input method beyond the screen, physical buttons, or even the newer Action Button on recent iPhone models.
The feature is especially useful for larger phones where swiping to access Control Center or Notification Center can be awkward. It also adds convenience for users who prefer not to touch the screen constantly. You can configure Back Tap to perform different functions depending on whether you tap twice or three times.
Why This Matters
Apple quietly rolled out this feature in 2020, and it remains underutilized by many iPhone users. This is partly due to a lack of awareness, but also because the feature requires some setup and experimentation.
The significance? Back Tap highlights Apple’s approach to accessibility: offering powerful but subtle features that enhance usability without disrupting the core experience. It also shows how software can repurpose existing hardware (in this case, the back of the phone) to create new interactions.
How to Set Up Back Tap
Enabling Back Tap is straightforward:
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap.
- Choose between Double Tap and Triple Tap.
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Select the desired action from the list:
- System Actions: Control Center, Flashlight, Screenshot, Volume control, etc.
- Accessibility Shortcuts: AssistiveTouch, VoiceOver, Zoom, etc.
- Shortcuts: Launch apps, run custom routines.
The available actions are extensive, offering flexibility to tailor Back Tap to individual needs.
Beyond the Basics: Leveraging Shortcuts
Back Tap truly shines when combined with the Shortcuts app. This allows you to create complex actions triggered by a simple tap.
For example:
- Quick Camera Access: Double tap to open the camera, triple tap to take a screenshot.
- Smart Automation: Trigger a shortcut that sends photos to a specific album or starts a voice recording.
- Shazam Integration: Launch Shazam with a tap before a song ends.
The possibilities are nearly limitless, making Back Tap a powerful tool for streamlining daily tasks.
Potential Drawbacks
While convenient, Back Tap lacks tactile feedback. Users may accidentally trigger actions without realizing it, particularly if sensitivity is set too high. To mitigate this, consider:
- Using Triple Tap instead of Double Tap (less likely to be accidental).
- Mapping taps to less critical functions.
- Adjusting the sensitivity in the Back Tap settings.
“Back Tap is a subtle yet transformative feature that quietly enhances iPhone usability. It’s a testament to Apple’s design philosophy: making powerful tools accessible without demanding attention.”
In conclusion, Back Tap is a hidden gem within iOS that can significantly improve iPhone usability. While it may require some experimentation, the payoff – faster access to essential functions and custom automation – makes it well worth exploring.
