Accessibility - physical and motor
Back Tap
Most people call this tapping the back of the phone to do something.
A double or triple tap on the back of your iPhone can trigger an action such as a screenshot, the torch, or any shortcut you choose.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 14 and later
- Settings
- Accessibility
- Touch
- Back Tap
What it does
The motion sensors recognise a deliberate tap through the case. Double Tap and Triple Tap are assigned separately, and the list of actions includes system functions, accessibility features and your own Shortcuts.
What changes
When it is on
Tapping the back of the phone runs your chosen action.
When it is off
Nothing happens when you tap the back.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- A screenshot without a two button press.
- A one handed shortcut for the torch or the camera.
- Genuinely helpful for anyone who struggles with buttons.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Accidental triggers when the phone is set down.
- Thick cases can make it unreliable or oversensitive.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
No real change
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Off.
What your iPhone needs
- Needs iOS 14 or later
- Not available on iPhones with a Home button
Questions people actually ask
- How do I take a screenshot by tapping the back?
- Settings, then Accessibility, then Touch, then Back Tap, then Double Tap, then Screenshot.
- Why does Back Tap not work on my iPhone?
- It needs an iPhone 8 or later and is absent on Home button models. A very thick case can also block it.
If it is not working
- If it does not work, tap firmly in the middle of the back, not the edge.
- It is not available on iPhones with a Home button.
- Start with Triple Tap only if accidental triggers are a problem.