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8 Ways to Fix Back Tap Not Working on iPhone
Apple introduced the Back Tap feature with iOS 14, and it is one of our favorite features on the iPhone. It allows you to access accessibility shortcuts by tapping the back of your iPhone. However, there have been instances when the Back Tap does not work as expected.
In this article, we have eight ways to fix the issue of the Back Tap not working on iPhone. We’ve tried and tested all of them, so we’re sure they’ll help you resolve the issue. But before we get into that, let us briefly understand why iPhone’s Back Tap doesn’t work.
Why Is Back Tap Not Working on iPhone
Back tap is a feature that allows you to tap on your iPhone’s back to enable and trigger actions. If it doesn’t work, it may be due to the following reasons.
The Back Tap feature relies on the accelerometer, so if it’s not working on your iPhone, the feature will fail.
Your iPhone may not support the Back Tap feature.
Your iPhone is running an outdated iOS version.
The software on your iPhone is affected by a bug.
There might be more reasons causing the issue, and it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason. Therefore, we’ve listed all the ways to fix iPhone double tap not working.
How to Fix iPhone Back Tap Not Working
Here are eight ways to fix the Back Tap feature on your iPhone. First, check if your iPhone is compatible with Back Tap.
1. Check Compatibility
Back tap is a feature available on certain iPhone models running iOS 14 and above. Not all iPhones support this functionality. The following models do not have Back Tap:
– iPhone 7
– iPhone 7 Plus
– iPhone 6s
– iPhone 6s Plus
– Older iPhone models
– iPhone SE (1st generation)
If you have a compatible device and Back Tap is still not working, try the following solutions.
2. Check Back Tap Settings
Back Tap is not functional unless you bind it to a system feature, accessibility option, or shortcut. To check if Back Tap is enabled and assigned to a feature on your iPhone, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Accessibility.
Step 3: Select Touch and tap on Back Tap.
Step 4: Check if Back Tap feature is enabled and ensure you have assigned an action to it.
Refer to the image below for the assigned actions: screenshot for double back tap, and camera for triple back tap.
3. Remove iPhone’;’s Case
Do you struggle to get Back Tap to register on your iPhone? Does your iPhone have a case? While the feature works with a case on, a bulky case may prevent the accelerometer sensors from detecting your taps.
If this is the case, try removing the case to see if it helps. If it does, you may want to switch to a slimmer case.
4. Try Back Tapping Again
Many iPhone users have complained about the back tap feature not always registering the tap, requiring multiple attempts. To resolve this issue, try tapping around the Apple logo with slight pressure.
If the back tap doesn’t register, try restarting your iPhone. That can help fix software glitches preventing you from using the feature.
Step 1: First, shut down your device.
On iPhone X and above: Press and hold the volume down and side buttons. On iPhone SE 2nd or 3rd gen, 7, and 8 series: Press and hold the side button. Step 2: Drag the power slider to turn off the device. Step 3: Turn on your device by pressing and holding the power button.
6. Update iOS
If many users experience difficulty with the back tap feature, Apple will address the issue with an update. To ensure proper functionality, make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version.
System updates also include stability fixes and security enhancements, so regularly install them.
Step 1: Open the Settings app and go to General.
Step 2: Choose Software Update.
Step 3: Make sure you have the latest version of iOS. If not, you can choose to download and install the update.
7. Reset iPhone
Corrupt or broken settings can prevent the back tap from working on your iPhone. Try resetting them to check if that helps. Please note that a settings reset will revert all system-related settings and erase any saved Wi-Fi networks from your iPhone. Expect to spend time reconfiguring your iPhone afterward. However, you will not lose any data.
Step 1: Open the Settings app.
Step 2: Tap General.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’.
Step 4: Tap on Reset.
Step 5: Tap Reset All Settings to reset your iPhone or iPad.
8. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above methods work, contact Apple’s customer service. They will help diagnose and resolve the issue on your iPhone. That’s everything you need to know to fix iPhone’s back tap not working. If you have any further questions, check the FAQ section below.
1. Yes, you can assign the back tap feature to take a screenshot on your iPhone.
2. You can assign two back tap features for a double tap and a triple tap.
3. Back tap should ideally work with a case on your iPhone, unless the case is too thick to register the taps.
Restore Back Tap Feature
The methods mentioned above can fix the back tap on your iPhone. However, if you have an unsupported device, upgrading is the only solution. Nevertheless, we recommend against upgrading solely for the back tap feature, unless you have other reasons to switch to a newer iPhone.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.