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Apple Finally Lets You Control Your iPhone by Tapping the Back of It

"Back Tap" is hopefully the start of a new type of UI

By Rain Noe - September 18, 2020

in UX

After learning that Apple patented touchscreens with interactive backs way back in '07, I've been incorrectly predicting that they'd eventually add "back touch" functionality to iPhones. The idea being that your finger blocks the screen when you touch it, so why not manipulate the cursor from the back?

I was wrong (and off by years)--but close! With their rollout of the new iOS14, Apple has added "Back Tap" functionality:

Here's to hoping Apple goes the extra mile and add swiping to tapping. My fingers never feel as fat as when I'm trying to work an iPhone screen.

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Willow Rambert

3 years ago

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I just upgraded an I like the back-up for screenshots. I think it's because I absolutely hate the original controls to take a screenshot.

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iris chen

4 years ago

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cool！0.0

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Frank Borsboom

4 years ago

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Seems cool, but I remember watching Dave Lee's video about IOS14 and his 'double tap' would always be activated when he lays his iPhone down. This was off course in the Beta, so hopefully they can improve it...
https://youtu.be/YyBYHNjQgrQ?t=355

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Nate Regnier-Lange

4 years ago

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How, exactly, would a phone detect a swipe on the back?

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