Yes, that’s right, you can use the Power button to access Siri and a quick double-tap to access Google Assistant on an iPhone – as long as you’ve got the Google Assistant app installed, of course. The feature can also be set up with Shortcuts in mind, allowing you to activate a shortcut that, for example, turns your home lights on and off with a double-tap of the rear of your iPhone. That’d be pretty handy for when you go to bed and wake up – especially in those dark winter months. For most users, though, it’s likely the app launch function that’ll be the most exciting. Double-tap to open WhatsApp? You got it. Triple-tap to open the Camera? Yep, you can do that too. We outline how to tap to open apps, take screenshots and more in iOS 14 right here. If you’re yet to install the beta, take a look at how to get iOS 14 now.
How to use Back Tap in iOS 14
If you want to open a specific app using Back Tap, you’ll have to configure the action via the Shortcuts app. If, however, you want to simply take a screenshot, lock your phone or perform any other system task, skip ahead to the next section of the tutorial.
Creating a shortcut to open your apps
If you want to double-tap to open an app, you’ll have to create a shortcut beforehand. Once you’ve got your Shortcut set up, it’s time to map it to the double-tap activation.
Setting up Back Tap
Once you’re ready to set up Back Tap in iOS 14, follow these steps: Your selection should be applied immediately – try it out by tapping on the back of your phone. It’s probably also worth adding a separate function to the triple tap to get the most out of the feature. Why quickly access one app or function when you can access two? For more handy iPhone tips, here’s how to clear the cache on iPhone, and if you’re sick of iOS 14, here’s how to downgrade to iOS 13. Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You’ll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
