How to Turn Off Back Tap on iPhone

To disable the back tap feature on an iPhone, navigate to ‘Settings,’ then ‘Accessibility,’ followed by ‘Touch,’ and finally, select ‘Back Tap.’ Choose either ‘Double Tap’ or ‘Triple Tap’ and set it to ‘None.’ This will effectively turn off the back tap function on your device.

When you’ve successfully turned off the back tap feature, your iPhone will no longer recognize double or triple taps on the back of the device as an input method. This means that any actions or shortcuts you had previously set up for these gestures will no longer work until you re-enable the feature and set up the gestures again.

You can also watch this video about how to turn off back tap on iPhone for more on this topic.

Introduction

Back tap on iPhone is a nifty feature introduced in iOS 14, allowing users to perform specific actions quickly by double or triple tapping on the back of their device. It’s a cool and handy feature, especially for those who love having quick shortcuts to their favorite functions. However, as cool as it might be, not everyone finds it useful.

In fact, some find it more annoying than helpful, especially when it gets triggered accidentally in a pocket or a bag. Maybe you’re in that boat, or perhaps you’ve just found a better way to access your favorite functions and you don’t need back tap anymore. Whatever the case, turning off back tap is a straightforward process, and this article will walk you through it. We will also talk about the pros and cons of using this feature, and provide some additional information to help you make the most out of your iPhone experience.

Related: How to Stop All iPhone 14 Vibrations

A Step by Step Tutorial

This section will guide you through the process of turning off the back tap feature on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open Settings

Navigate to the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone. This is where all the magic happens.

Opening ‘Settings’ on your iPhone is like opening the door to a world of possibilities. It’s where you can tweak and tune your device to work exactly how you want it to. Think of it as the control center for your iPhone.

Step 2: Go to Accessibility

Scroll down and select ‘Accessibility.’ This is where you can adjust various settings to make your iPhone easier to use.

‘Accessibility’ is a special section in ‘Settings’ that’s designed to make your iPhone more accessible to people with different needs and preferences. It’s all about customization and making sure your device works for you, not the other way around.

Step 3: Select ‘Touch’

Within ‘Accessibility,’ find and select ‘Touch.’ This will lead you to a new menu with even more options.

‘Touch’ is all about how you interact with your iPhone’s screen. It’s where you can adjust settings related to touch sensitivity, 3D and Haptic Touch, and, of course, the back tap feature.

Step 4: Choose ‘Back Tap’

Once you’re in the ‘Touch’ settings, scroll down until you find ‘Back Tap.’ Select it to open the back tap settings.

Here we are, the home stretch! ‘Back Tap’ is the feature we’ve been searching for. This is where you can turn off back tap, or change what it does when you double or triple tap the back of your iPhone.

Step 5: Set to ‘None’

You will see options for ‘Double Tap’ and ‘Triple Tap.’ Choose the one you want to disable, and set it to ‘None.’

Setting the option to ‘None’ is like telling your iPhone, “Hey, don’t do anything when I tap the back of the device.” It’s a way to ensure that back tap won’t trigger any actions or shortcuts, intentional or accidental.

Pros

There are several benefits to turning off the back tap feature on your iPhone.

Accidental Taps

Prevents accidental taps from triggering unwanted actions.

When you have back tap enabled, it’s easy to accidentally trigger it, especially if you’re not used to having this feature turned on. This can lead to all sorts of frustrating situations, like accidentally turning on the flashlight or taking a screenshot when you didn’t mean to.

Battery Life

May help in conserving battery life.

While the back tap feature itself probably doesn’t use a significant amount of battery, the actions it triggers could. If you accidentally turn on the flashlight or start a function that uses a lot of power, it could drain your battery faster than usual.

Simplicity

Simplifies the user experience.

For those who prefer a more straightforward, no-frills user experience, turning off back tap can help. It means there’s one less thing to worry about, and one less feature that could potentially go wrong or get in the way.

Cons

However, there are also some drawbacks or limitations to consider.

Loss of Quick Access

Lose quick access to certain functions or shortcuts.

One of the great things about back tap is that it gives you a quick and easy way to access certain functions or shortcuts. Turning it off means you’ll have to find another way to access these functions, which might not be as convenient.

Lack of Customization

Reduces the level of customization on your device.

Back tap is a feature that allows for a high level of customization, helping users tailor their device to their specific needs and preferences. Turning it off means you’re losing out on this aspect of customization.

Missed Accessibility Feature

May impact accessibility for some users.

For users with limited mobility or other physical challenges, back tap can be an invaluable accessibility feature. Turning it off could make the device harder to use for these individuals.

Video About Turning Off Back Tap

Additional Information

While we’ve covered the basics of turning off back tap on your iPhone, there are a few additional points worth mentioning. First and foremost, remember that back tap is only available on iPhone 8 and later models, running iOS 14 or later. If you’re using an older device or operating system, you won’t have access to this feature in the first place.

It’s also worth noting that back tap can be a bit finicky at times. Some users report that it doesn’t always work as expected, especially if you have a case on your iPhone. If you’re having trouble with back tap, experimenting with different cases (or removing your case entirely) could help.

Additionally, back tap works in conjunction with some of the other motion and touch settings on your iPhone. If you’re having trouble getting back tap to work, or if it’s triggering too easily, you might want to take a look at these settings and adjust them to your liking.

Summary

1. Open ‘Settings’ on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select ‘Accessibility.’
3. Find and select ‘Touch.’
4. Choose ‘Back Tap.’
5. Set ‘Double Tap’ or ‘Triple Tap’ to ‘None.’

Frequently Asked Questions

What iPhone models support back tap?

Back tap is supported on iPhone 8 and later models, running iOS 14 or later.

The back tap feature was introduced with iOS 14, so you’ll need to have this operating system (or a later version) installed on your device. Additionally, it’s only available on iPhone 8 and newer models.

Can I still use back tap with a case on my iPhone?

Back tap should work with most cases, but some thicker cases may impact its functionality.

The effectiveness of back tap can depend on the material and thickness of your iPhone case. Some users report that they have no issues using back tap with a case, while others find that certain cases seem to block or interfere with the feature.

What actions can I assign to back tap?

You can assign a wide variety of actions and shortcuts to back tap, including opening specific apps, taking a screenshot, locking your screen, and more.

The back tap settings menu includes a list of actions that you can assign to either a double tap or triple tap on the back of your device. This list includes a variety of system functions, as well as any shortcuts you’ve created in the Shortcuts app.

Can I use back tap if I have mobility challenges?

Back tap can be an invaluable accessibility feature for individuals with limited mobility or other physical challenges.

By providing an additional way to trigger actions and shortcuts, back tap can help make the iPhone more accessible and easier to use for individuals with mobility challenges. However, the effectiveness of this feature will depend on the individual’s specific needs and abilities.

Why might I want to turn off back tap?

You might want to turn off back tap if you find that you’re triggering it accidentally, if it’s impacting your battery life, or if you simply prefer a simpler user experience.

While back tap can be a handy feature, it’s not for everyone. Some users find that they trigger it accidentally, especially when placing their phone in a pocket or bag. Others may prefer to keep their device’s settings as simple and straightforward as possible, and choose to turn off features they don’t need.

Conclusion

Back tap on the iPhone is a versatile and customizable feature that can make accessing your favorite functions and shortcuts quicker and easier than ever before. However, like any tool, it’s not suited to everyone’s needs, and there are times when you might find it more helpful to turn it off. Whether you’re looking to prevent accidental taps, conserve battery life, or simply streamline your user experience, disabling back tap is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few minutes.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can take control of your iPhone’s settings and tailor the device to your specific needs and preferences. Remember to explore other settings and features as well, as there are plenty of ways to customize your iPhone and make it work better for you.

We hope this article has helped you understand how to turn off back tap on your iPhone, as well as the pros and cons of using this feature. Remember, your iPhone is a powerful tool, and with a little bit of tweaking, you can make it work exactly how you want it to.