This might be the best iPhone feature you never knew existed
It’s no wonder iPhones are so popular. Even though the high-end models will set you back $1,000 or more, they’re undeniably easy to use and packed with incredible features.
Did you know you can use the Notes app as a document scanner? You can upload a document and share it however you like in just a few clicks. Tap or click to try this super easy tip.
How about this trick: If your service is sketchy, switch to Airplane Mode, wait five seconds, switch it off and try again. I’ve got four more insider wireless tips for better signal strength here.
If you’re thinking, “Why didn’t I know that sooner?” keep reading. This powerful iPhone feature is one that you can customize to your heart’s content.
Give Back Tap a try
Apple introduced a helpful new accessibility feature with iOS 14 called Back Tap. It allows you to customize shortcuts by double and triple tapping on the back of your phone.
Instead of remembering a ton of button combinations and contorting your fingers, you simply tap your iPhone two or three times. This action triggers anything from opening the Control Center to looking at notifications or even launching an app.
You can’t set an action for just one tap — think about how often you’d accidentally set that off — but you can do almost anything with a double or triple tap. Here are some of the most useful:
- Take a screenshot
- Open the App Switcher
- Go to your Home screen
- Mute
- Open the Notification Center
- Open Siri
- Turn the volume up or down
- Magnify or zoom
- Scroll up or down
How to enable Back Tap and set up actions
Back Tap is an extension of Apple’s accessibility features. You’ll need an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 14 or later to enable it.
- Open Settings, scroll down and tap Accessibility.
- Under the Physical and Motor category, tap on Touch.
- Scroll to the bottom and choose Back Tap.
- From here, tap on Double Tap to set up double-tap and Triple Tap to set up triple-tap.
- Select whichever function you’d like for your desired tap. Once you tap on a function, you’ll see a blue checkmark verifying it’s enabled.
- If you don’t like the Back Tap feature you choose, tap None at the top of the screen on the Back Tap settings page. This will clear your selection so you can choose again and keep it blank.
That’s it! Play around with the options and see what works for you. It may seem awkward at first, but over time you’ll come to rely on those shortcuts.
Tags: accessibility, Airplane mode, Apple, Apple iOS 14, apps, Back Tap, customization, document scanner, Feature, features, home, maps, Notes app, phone, privacy, settings, shortcuts, signal strength, Siri, tips and tricks, tricks, wireless
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