A salmon-colored case (left) and a white case (right) are displayed on a variegated background with two Apple iPhones.
Even if your phone is in a case, you may still utilize this feature.
You might believe you’re missing out on the new Camera Control button, which enables you to swiftly activate the camera app, if you don’t have an iPhone 16. Fortunately, there is already a secret “button” on iPhones made in the last several years that can access the camera or any other app. You only need to tap the back of your device to get to it.
The function may be found in the accessibility settings of your iPhone under the Back Tap tool. When enabled, it may activate nearly any feature on your phone, such as launching Shazam before a song ends or turning on the flashlight. With only two or three fast touches, you can even configure it to launch a custom shortcut, take a snapshot, or open the Control Center. Once set up, it’s quick, covert, and shockingly strong.
Similar to the Action Button on more recent iPhone models, the Back Tap function allows you to interact with your smartphone in another way without touching the screen. Tapping anyplace on the back of your phone, including the camera module, will activate it. The nicest feature is that it still functions even if your iPhone cover is really thick.
As long as they are running iOS 14 or later, iPhones as ancient as the iPhone 8 may use Back Tap. We’ll walk you through turning it on and using it with your Shortcuts app to access almost limitless options.
What is the Back Tap function on an iPhone?
The iPhone’s Back Tap functionality was first available in iOS 14. Double or triple touching on the rear of your iPhone allows you to use shortcuts.
If your phone is larger and you are unable to swipe down from the top of the screen without some intricate finger acrobatics, you may personalize Back Tap on your iPhone to quickly do basic tasks like bringing up the Control Center or Notification Center. Even two distinct functions can be activated simultaneously: Back Tap is able to differentiate between a triple tap and a double tap.
You can configure Triple Tap to take a screenshot and Double Tap to activate your Notification Center, depending on how often you tap the rear of your iPhone. Alternatively, you may triple tap to access the Magnifier app then double tap to open the Control Center. Try out different Back Tap combinations to determine which tap and function combinations work best for you.
Additionally, you are not restricted to using the normal Back Tap choices. You may configure Back Tap to start any app or carry out particular tasks with the help of the Shortcuts app. For instance, you might make a straightforward shortcut that, when double-tapped or triple-tapped, activates Shazam or begins a voice recording. Additionally, you may utilize Back Tap to initiate a more complex shortcut, such automatically uploading images and videos to particular picture albums.
How can I configure my iPhone to use back tap?
Open the Settings app and turn on Back Tap. Accessibility > Touch → Back Tap is the next step. A list of configuration options for Double Tap and Triple Tap may be found there.
The complete list of functions that may be mapped to a double or triple tap is as follows:
- Not one
- Shortcut to Accessibility
- System
- Switching Apps
- The camera
- Center of Control
- A flashlight
- House
- Rotating Lock
- Lock Screen
- Silent
- The Notification Center
- Accessibility
- A screenshot
- Give a shake
- Highlights
- Turn down the volume.
- Turn Up the Volume
- Accessibility
- The Assistive Touch
- Ambient Noises
- Traditional Invert
- Filters for Color
- Manage Close by Devices
- Lights that flash dimly
- Real-time captioning
- Live Speech
- A magnifying glass
- Intelligent Invert
- The Speak Screen
- Voice-over
- Zoom
- Controller for Zoom
- Scroll Motions
- Scroll Down
- Scroll Up
- A list of shortcuts may also be found at the bottom of the menu. Depending on what is accessible in your Shortcuts app, these selections will change.
The only possible drawback of Back Tap is that it doesn’t provide tactile feedback, so you may inadvertently press it at the incorrect moment and be unaware of it until later. For example, you may unintentionally double tap and accidentally turn on your flashlight. If so, you may choose to remap your Double Tap to a less noticeable feature. Alternatively, you may only utilize Triple Tap, which you presumably won’t use as much, and leave Double Tap off.
How do I snap a fast picture using the Back Tap?
Setting up Back Tap involves mapping Triple Tap to Volume Up or Volume Down and Double Tap to the Camera. If your volume buttons are assigned to Back Tap, you can get the same result as pressing either of the volume buttons to take a photo right away. By combining these five rapid taps on the back of your iPhone, you can take a picture. However, you will need to wait for a moment between the Double Tap and Triple Tap so that your phone can tell the difference between the two.
Even if your phone is locked, this Back Tap combination will still function. Once more, take your time experimenting with various tap and feature combinations to see which ones work best for you.