iPhone Back Tap: 15 Useful Shortcuts by Tapping the Back of Your iPhone

Back Tap is one of the most useful hidden features of iPhone: tap the back of the phone two or three times to trigger an action, even with a case. Available on iPhone 8 and later.

Set up Back Tap

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
2. Scroll down and tap Back Tap.
3. Choose Double Tap and pick an action.
4. Choose Triple Tap and pick another action.

15 useful actions

1. Screenshot: ideal if your buttons are worn. Then see full-page screenshots.
2. Flashlight (via a shortcut "Set Flashlight").
3. Camera.
4. Mute / Silent mode.
5. Control Center.
6. Notification Center.
7. Lock Screen (useful when the side button is broken).
8. App Switcher.
9. Siri.
10. Spotlight search.
11. Magnifier to read small text.
12. Reachability on large iPhones.
13. Shazam (via a shortcut) to identify music.
14. Screen Recording via a shortcut: screen recording guide.
15. Any Shortcut: send a message, open WhatsApp, start a timer, turn on Low Power Mode...

Back Tap does not work?

• Thick or magnetic cases can reduce sensitivity: tap firmly in the middle-upper area of the back.
• Update iOS: iOS 27.0.1.
• Restart the iPhone.
• Accidental triggers in a pocket? Use only Triple Tap.

More hidden features

iOS 27 hidden features, settings to change first.