Control iPhone with new 'Back Tap' iOS 14 accessibility feature

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS edited June 2020
When iOS 14 launches this fall a new accessibility feature called "Back Tap" will allow users to perform various system actions by merely tapping on the rear of their device.

Back Tap in iOS 14
Back Tap on iOS 14


This new feature, called Back Tap within Settings, does just that. When the back of iPhone is tapped, an action will be carried out. This includes launching many of the system actions like opening the app switcher or Control Center, as well as accessibility features like enabling the magnifier or VoiceOver, performing gestures, and even launching Shortcuts.

If you get creative, there is a lot that Back Tap can do. A double-tap can start a playlist on your HomePod, for example, or a triple-tap can launch the Camera app.

To enable this feature on supported iOS 14 devices:
  • Open Settings

  • Venture to Accessiility > Touch > Back Tap

  • Choose an action for the double tap as well as the triple tap, if you so choose
In our testing, it works with the iPhone X and newer, though we will likely have to wait until iOS 14 is fully released to know what devices support this specific feature.

This is just one of the many new features found in iOS 14. Stay tuned to AppleInsider as we dig for other new additions.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    fred1fred1 Posts: 1,112member
    That's cool!  If that was mentioned yesterday in the keynote, I missed it.  This is going to be fun.  
  • Reply 2 of 9
    mattinozmattinoz Posts: 2,322member
    Wonders if I can set single tap to snooze alarm at night and double tap to App Switcher.
  • Reply 3 of 9
    jasonfjjasonfj Posts: 567member
    Since this must be using general motion sensors rather than anything specifically on the back, it would also work as a ‘side tap’. 
  • Reply 4 of 9
    rwx9901rwx9901 Posts: 100member
    so this will work with a case on as well?
  • Reply 5 of 9
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Hmm... I wonder.
  • Reply 6 of 9
    bluefire1bluefire1 Posts: 1,302member
    I want to quadruple tap to take me directly to AppleInsider.
  • Reply 7 of 9
    cammo35cammo35 Posts: 1member
    I have the new iPhone SE and this feature is unavailable, anyone else had this issue?
  • Reply 8 of 9
    mpandormpandor Posts: 1member
    I also have the new iPhone SE and I’m experiencing the same problem
  • Reply 9 of 9
    Stormz0rStormz0r Posts: 1member
    iPhone 7 here also not available option. Completely missing. 
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