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4 Fixes for Tap to Wake Not Working on iPhone

Quick Solutions
  • Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > enable Tap to Wake.
  • Open Settings > Display and Brightness > disable Always-On Display.
  • Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Basic Fixes

  • Turn off Voiceover: Open Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > turn off VoiceOver.
  • Disable Screen Zoom: Open Settings > Accessibility > Zoom > turn Off Zoom.
  • Check your screen protector: A damaged screen protector might cause ghost touches and restrict you from using the Tap to Wake feature.
  • Update iOS version: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Fix 1: Check if Tap to Wake Is Enabled

The first step in troubleshooting this problem is checking whether the feature is enabled. Though Tap To Wake is enabled by default, here’s how to check and manually enable it.

Open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > enable Tap to Wake.

Fix 2: Turn Off Always-On Display

With the launch of iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Plus, Apple introduced the Always-On Display feature. But this feature is still a work in progress. Therefore, you can disable it and check if the problem gets solved.

Open Settings > Display and Brightness > disable Always-On Display.

Note: If you are using iOS 16.2, first tap on Always-On Display and then follow the steps mentioned above. Disabling Always-On Display also helps to fix the battery drain on your iPhone

disable always on display iPhone

Fix 3: Disable Battery Saver

If your iPhone is running low on power, enabling the Battery Saver can conserve battery life for a few more hours. But that can also be why the Tap to Wake feature is not working. Try turning it off to check if the problem gets solved.

Open Settings > Battery > turn off Low Power Mode.

Fix 4: Reset All Settings

This solution will reset all the settings of your iPhone, including Network, Display Preferences, Keyboard, Location, and more. So, we suggest trying this solution and checking if the problem is solved.

Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

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Last updated on 29 August, 2024

1 Comment

  1. Ever since I updated the Apple Watch series 6 IOS to 9.6.1, the raise wrist to wake does not work. The watch face remains black and I must tap the face to get the time. None of the solutions offerred worked.

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