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Double tap to wake the screen is one of those features that, once you try it, you don’t want to go back. Tap the screen twice and it turns on without using the power button. Here’s how to set up double tap to wake on Android for each brand, because the process varies quite a bit.
Table of contents
Table of contents
Enable double tap on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung is probably the brand that best implements this feature. I’ve used several Galaxy phones and double tap works great, both for turning on and off the screen.
To enable it:
- Go to Settings > Advanced features
- Look for Motions and gestures
- Enable Lift to wake if you want the screen to turn on when you pick up the phone
- Enable Double tap to turn on screen
- To turn off with double tap, look for Double tap to turn off screen
On Samsung, this feature is available on practically all models from Galaxy S7 onwards. Mid-to-high-range Galaxy A models also have it, though some budget models don’t.
What I like about Samsung’s double tap is that it’s very reliable. It rarely fails and the response is immediate. Plus, you can combine it with lift to wake: when you take the phone out of your pocket or pick it up from the table, the screen turns on automatically.
Pro-tip: If you use a flip case with a window, double tap may not work well in the window area because the case blocks the touch. Enable lift to wake as an alternative in those cases.
Availability on Samsung models
| Range | Double tap on | Double tap off | Lift to wake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S (all) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Galaxy Note (all) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Galaxy Z (foldables) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Galaxy A 5x/7x | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Galaxy A 1x/2x/3x | Variable | Variable | Partial |
Enable double tap on Xiaomi and Redmi
Xiaomi implements double tap a bit differently depending on the MIUI or HyperOS version. On more recent models, the feature is well integrated; on older ones it may require looking in less obvious places.
For recent MIUI/HyperOS:
- Go to Settings > Display (or Lock screen)
- Look for Lift to wake or Screen gestures
- Enable Double tap to wake
- On some models it’s also in Settings > Special features > Gestures
If you can’t find the option there:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen & password
- Look in Lock screen options
- The option may be called “Wake screen on touch”
On my Xiaomi 13, double tap works perfectly and is very responsive. I use it dozens of times a day to check notifications without fully unlocking the phone.
Something Xiaomi does well is that double tap to turn off also works on the home screen and in any app, not just the lock screen. This is great when you’re done using the phone and want to turn it off quickly.
Pro-tip: On Xiaomi, if the option doesn’t appear, update MIUI/HyperOS to the latest version. Some models received double tap through a software update and didn’t have it in the factory version.
Enable double tap on Google Pixel, Motorola, and other brands
Google Pixel has double tap built in natively since the Pixel 3. To enable it:
- Go to Settings > System > Gestures
- Enable Lift to check phone
- Enable Tap to check phone
Pixel also has a great feature called Lift to talk that activates Google Assistant when you lift the phone. You can combine these features for a very natural flow.
Motorola has had gestures for years. Their Chop chop gesture activates the flashlight, and Twist wrist opens the camera. Double tap to turn on is available on recent models:
- Go to Settings > Display > Advanced
- Enable Tap screen to wake
- On some models: Settings > System > Gestures
OnePlus and OPPO have double tap in ColorOS/OxygenOS:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Physical gestures
- Enable Lift to wake or Double tap to wake
- Also in Settings > Display & brightness > Screen gestures
Huawei has it in EMUI/HarmonyOS:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Shortcuts & gestures
- Enable Lift to wake
- Or go to Settings > Home screen & wallpaper > Gestures
Pro-tip: If your phone doesn’t have native double tap, the Double Tap Screen On and Off app from Google Play adds this feature to any Android. It doesn’t require root and works quite well.
Summary by brand
| Brand | Where to look | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Advanced features > Gestures | All recent models |
| Xiaomi | Display > Gestures | Mid-to-high range |
| Google Pixel | System > Gestures | Pixel 3 onwards |
| Motorola | Display > Advanced | Recent models |
| OnePlus/OPPO | Accessibility > Gestures | All models |
| Huawei | Accessibility > Gestures | Mid-to-high range |
Double tap to turn off: how to set it up
Beyond turning on the screen, many Androids also allow turning it off with double tap. This is great because it saves using the power button, which can wear out over time.
On Samsung: Advanced features > Motions and gestures > Double tap to turn off screen.
On Xiaomi: Display > Double tap to turn off (or in Screen gestures).
On other Androids: Not all Androids have native double tap to turn off. If your phone doesn’t have it, there are alternatives:
- The Double Tap Screen On and Off app mentioned above
- Power-off widgets on the home screen
- Apps like Gravity Screen that turn off the screen when you place it face down or put it in your pocket
I use double tap to turn off constantly. When I finish reading something on my phone, I just tap the screen twice and it turns off. It’s such a natural gesture that my brain does it automatically.
Pro-tip: If you use a kickstand case, double tap to turn off can activate accidentally when you prop up the phone. In that case, disable double tap to turn off and use the power button or a widget instead.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Does double tap use more battery?
Minimally. The touch sensor needs to be in low-power mode to detect double taps, but the consumption is insignificant. In my tests, the battery difference is less than 1% daily. The convenience it provides more than compensates.
Why doesn’t double tap work on my phone?
It could be that your model doesn’t support it, it’s disabled in settings, or the case is interfering. Check in Settings > Display or Gestures. If your phone has an LCD screen (not AMOLED), some manufacturers limit this feature for battery reasons.
Can I use double tap with the screen locked?
Yes, double tap is specifically designed for that. With the screen off and locked, you tap twice and the lock screen turns on. Then you can unlock with your usual method (fingerprint, PIN, etc.).
Does double tap work with any screen protector?
Yes, most protectors don’t affect double tap. Only very thick or low-quality protectors that reduce touch sensitivity can interfere. Standard tempered glass protectors don’t cause problems.
Conclusion
Setting up double tap to wake screen on Android is one of the simplest and most useful improvements you can make. It reduces power button usage, is more comfortable, and becomes an automatic gesture very quickly.
My recommendation: enable it right now if you don’t have it. Within a week, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. And if you combine double tap with lift to wake, you have the smoothest experience possible. Do you use double tap on your phone? What brand and model do you have?