Turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ on an iPhone is a simple process that involves navigating to the ‘Accessibility’ settings and toggling off the feature. Once disabled, your iPhone screen will no longer light up when tapped, saving battery life and preventing accidental touches.
After completing this action, you will need to press the side or home button to wake your iPhone screen. This can be more convenient for some users and can help prevent accidental screen activation.
Introduction
The ‘Tap to Wake’ feature on your iPhone is undoubtedly a nifty little tool that makes accessing your device super quick and easy. Just tap the screen, and voila – it lights up, ready for action. But what if you’re finding that a little too much? Maybe your iPhone is lighting up in your pocket or purse, causing unnecessary battery drain or even pocket dials. Perhaps you simply prefer a more traditional way to wake your device.
Whatever your reason, knowing how to turn off ‘Tap to Wake’ can be quite beneficial. This feature is particularly relevant for iPhone X and later models users, as these are the models that come equipped with this feature. So, if you’re looking to save some battery life, reduce accidental touches, or just prefer using your iPhone’s physical buttons, this article is for you.
Step by Step Tutorial to Turn Off Tap to Wake on iPhone
Before we jump into the step-by-step process, it’s important to note that turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ will require you to use the side or home button to check notifications or the time, which may take some getting used to.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone. This is the app with the gear icon, typically found on your home screen.
The ‘Settings’ app is the control center for all your iPhone’s features and functions. Think of it as the command center where you can customize your device to suit your preferences.
Step 2: Select Accessibility
Scroll down and select ‘Accessibility’. This option is usually found a little way down, right after ‘Wallpaper’ and before ‘Siri & Search’.
‘Accessibility’ settings are designed to make your iPhone easier to use for people with different abilities. However, this section also contains many general user interface options, such as ‘Tap to Wake’.
Step 3: Tap on Touch
Under ‘Physical and Motor’, tap on ‘Touch’. This will take you to a menu with various touch settings.
Here, you’ll find options related to the touch interface of your iPhone, such as ‘3D & Haptic Touch’ and ‘Touch Accommodations’.
Step 4: Toggle off Tap to Wake
Find ‘Tap to Wake’ and toggle the switch to the off position. The switch will turn from green to grey, indicating that the feature has been disabled.
Disabling ‘Tap to Wake’ will help prevent your iPhone screen from accidentally waking up when you don’t intend it to. It’s a small change but can have a significant impact on your user experience.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Saves Battery Life | Disabling ‘Tap to Wake’ can save battery life, as it prevents your screen from turning on unnecessarily. This can be significant over time, especially if you often carry your iPhone in a pocket or bag. |
| Reduces Accidental Touches | If you’ve ever found yourself calling someone by mistake or launching apps unintentionally, turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ can help mitigate these issues by reducing accidental screen touches. |
| More Control Over Phone | By turning off ‘Tap to Wake’, you gain more control over when your iPhone is active, reducing distractions and allowing you to engage with your phone on your terms. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Less Convenient | For many users, the convenience of quickly tapping their phone to check notifications is a big plus – turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ means losing this quick-access feature. |
| May Miss Notifications | Without ‘Tap to Wake’, you might not notice new notifications as quickly unless you constantly press the side or home button to check. |
| Takes Time to Adjust | If you’re used to tapping your screen to wake your iPhone, it may take some time to adjust to using the physical buttons again. |
Additional Information
While turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ is a relatively straightforward process, there are a few additional things to consider. For instance, if you often check your phone at night, you might find it more challenging to locate the side or home button in the dark compared to simply tapping the screen. Additionally, if you use a protective case, make sure it doesn’t hinder button access, as you’ll be relying on them more to wake your screen.
Another tip is to combine turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ with other battery-saving measures, such as reducing screen brightness or enabling Low Power Mode, to maximize your iPhone’s battery life. Remember, it’s about finding the right balance that works for you and your daily routine.
Summary
- Open ‘Settings’
- Select ‘Accessibility’
- Tap on ‘Touch’
- Toggle off ‘Tap to Wake’
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ affect my alarm?
No, disabling ‘Tap to Wake’ will not affect your alarm. Your iPhone will still sound the alarm as scheduled.
Can I still use ‘Raise to Wake’ if ‘Tap to Wake’ is off?
Yes, ‘Raise to Wake’ is a separate feature that can still function without ‘Tap to Wake’ enabled.
Does ‘Tap to Wake’ affect Face ID?
No, ‘Tap to Wake’ does not impact the functionality of Face ID. Face ID will work as usual when you wake your phone using the side or home button.
Will my iPhone still receive calls and messages with ‘Tap to Wake’ off?
Absolutely! Your iPhone will continue to receive calls and messages. This setting only affects how the screen wakes up.
If I change my mind, can I re-enable ‘Tap to Wake’?
Yes, you can re-enable ‘Tap to Wake’ at any time by following the same steps and toggling the switch back on.
Conclusion
Turning off ‘Tap to Wake’ on your iPhone can be a small change that makes a big difference in how you interact with your phone. Whether it’s to save battery, reduce accidental touches or just to have more control over when your screen is active, it’s a simple adjustment that can enhance your user experience. Remember that at the end of the day, your iPhone is a tool meant to work for you, so don’t be afraid to customize its settings to fit your lifestyle.
Now that you know how to turn off ‘Tap to Wake’, you’re one step closer to making your iPhone work just the way you want it to. Keep exploring, tweaking, and personalizing, because that’s the beauty of technology – it’s all about personal preference.
Matthew Burleigh has been a freelance writer since the early 2000s. You can find his writing all over the Web, where his content has collectively been read millions of times.
Matthew received his Master’s degree in Computer Science, then spent over a decade as an IT consultant for small businesses before focusing on writing and website creation.
The topics he covers for MasterYourTech.com include iPhones, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps.
You can read his full bio here.