Turning off the ‘Tap to Wake’ feature on an iPhone is a simple process. Just follow these steps: open the Settings app, tap on ‘Accessibility’, then ‘Touch’, and finally toggle off ‘Tap to Wake’. This action will prevent your iPhone screen from waking up every time you touch it inadvertently.
After completing this action, your iPhone will no longer light up when you tap the screen. This can help save battery life and prevent accidental interactions with your phone when it’s in your pocket or bag.
You can also watch this video about how to turn off tap to wake on iPhone for additional information.
Introduction
Ever found yourself accidentally calling someone because your iPhone screen woke up in your pocket? Or maybe you’re just tired of your screen lighting up every time your hand brushes against it. These are common frustrations for iPhone users, but don’t worry, there’s a simple solution – turning off the ‘Tap to Wake’ feature.
This function is designed to make it easier to check notifications or the time without pressing any buttons, but it can be a nuisance for some. Whether you’re looking to conserve battery life, avoid pocket-dialing your contacts, or just prefer to wake your phone with a button, disabling ‘Tap to Wake’ could be the answer. It’s a quick and easy adjustment that can make a big difference in how you interact with your iPhone. So, let’s walk through the steps to turn off this feature and discuss the pros and cons of doing so.
Related: How to Turn Off Back Tap on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Turn off Tap to Wake on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re aiming to achieve here. By turning off ‘Tap to Wake’, we’re essentially telling our iPhone to only wake up when we press the side or home button. This is handy for those who find the tap function a bit too sensitive or want to save on battery life.
Step 1: Open the Settings App
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. This is the app with the gear icon.
The Settings app is essentially the control center for your iPhone. It’s where you can customize your phone’s features to suit your preferences.
Step 2: Tap on ‘Accessibility’
Scroll down and tap on the ‘Accessibility’ option.
Accessibility features on the iPhone are designed to make the device easier to use for people with various disabilities. However, they also include settings that can be useful for all users.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Touch’
Within the Accessibility settings, find and tap on the ‘Touch’ settings.
The Touch settings control how your iPhone responds to your touch input.
Step 4: Toggle off ‘Tap to Wake’
Find the ‘Tap to Wake’ option and toggle the switch to the off position.
When you toggle off ‘Tap to Wake’, you’re telling your iPhone that you don’t want the screen to turn on every time it’s touched.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Saves Battery Life | Turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ can help conserve your iPhone’s battery since the screen will turn on less frequently. |
| Prevents Accidental Interaction | With ‘Tap to Wake’ turned off, there’s less chance of accidentally calling someone or opening apps when your phone is in your pocket. |
| More Control Over Phone | Some users prefer having more control over when their phone screen is active, and turning off this feature allows that. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Less Convenient | Without ‘Tap to Wake’, checking notifications or the time requires an extra step, pressing a button. |
| Habit Adjustment | If you’re used to tapping your screen to wake it, you’ll need to adjust to using the side or home button instead. |
| Possible Missed Alerts | Since the screen won’t light up for new notifications, there’s a chance you might miss them if you’re not paying attention to your phone. |
Video About Tap to Wake
Additional Information
While the steps outlined above detail how to turn off ‘Tap to Wake’ on newer iPhones, keep in mind that older iPhone models may have slightly different paths to access the same settings. Additionally, if you’re someone who relies on quickly checking their phone with minimal effort, consider whether turning off this feature will align with your usage habits.
On the plus side, turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ could potentially save you from embarrassing situations like accidental pocket-dials or unintended text messages. It can also extend your battery life by a smidgen, as the display is one of the biggest power consumers on your iPhone. This action is entirely reversible, so if you find that the cons outweigh the pros, you can always go back into your settings and toggle ‘Tap to Wake’ back on.
Also, while we’re discussing the ins and outs of this feature, let’s not forget that the iPhone has a wealth of customization options – exploring them can help you tailor your device to your exact preferences, including the prompt keyword ‘how to turn off tap to wake on iPhone’.
Summary
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on ‘Accessibility’.
- Tap on ‘Touch’.
- Toggle off ‘Tap to Wake’.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ affect how I receive notifications?
No, you’ll still receive notifications as usual; they just won’t light up the screen unless you press the side or home button.
Can I still use ‘Raise to Wake’ if ‘Tap to Wake’ is turned off?
Yes, ‘Raise to Wake’ is a separate feature that you can leave on or off according to your preference.
What if I change my mind?
You can always go back into your settings and toggle ‘Tap to Wake’ back on at any time.
Does turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ save a lot of battery life?
It can save some battery life, but it varies depending on how often you would typically activate your screen unintentionally.
Is ‘Tap to Wake’ turned on by default on all iPhones?
Yes, it’s turned on by default on iPhone models that support this feature, starting with the iPhone X.
Conclusion
Knowing how to turn off tap to wake on iPhone can be a game-changer for many users. Whether you’re after better battery life, want to avoid accidental screen touches, or just prefer a more traditional button press to wake your phone, the steps are simple and easy to follow. Remember, personalizing your iPhone to fit your needs is one of the great benefits of owning such a device.
While ‘Tap to Wake’ is a convenient feature for some, for others it’s an unnecessary drain on battery life and a source of pocket-dialing mishaps. Consider your own usage and decide whether this feature is your friend or foe. If you decide it’s the latter, now you know exactly what to do to bid it farewell.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.