Hidden iPhone Feature Lets You Control Your Device With 'Back Tap' Shortcuts

It's pretty self-explanatory, as once you've set the desired shortcuts up, you're able to simply tap the back of your iPhone to activate them... hence the very literal name of Back Tap.

To get Back Tap working, you simply head to Settings and then to Accessibility, before selecting Touch.

In this section you can scroll down to 'Back Tap', where you'll have the choice to turn on 'Double Tap' or 'Triple Tap' functions - you can set up a shortcut for each from a list of more than two dozen options.

"Double- or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to perform actions quickly," it says.

While you can only have two Back Tap shortcuts at a given time - one for double-tapping and one for triple-tapping - you can always change them to something else whenever you like.

For example, you could have your phone set up so that double-tapping takes you to the Control Centre, while triple-tapping mutes your device.

The outlet also reports that if you find the commands aren't working after you've activated them, you should simply check your phone case as some will block your phone from picking up your tap signal, especially if they're made from a thick material.

The Back Tap feature is available if you've got iOS 14 and one of the following iPhone models: iPhone 8; iPhone 8 Plus; iPhone X; iPhone XS; iPhone XS Max; iPhone XR; iPhone 11; iPhone 11 Pro; or iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Many users have already tried it out after the software update was rolled out last month, with many saying on Twitter that they've been using the feature to take screenshots or launch their torch.

One person also said started using Back Tap as a fix for finding their device too big for their hands, writing: "I was kidding myself thinking I might get a Max sized iPhone.

"I can no longer reach leading nav button items and I'm constantly fumbling screenshots. I reassigned the back tap gestures to reachability and screenshots which has helped a ton."