Modern smartphones, especially the flagship models of the line Samsung Galaxy, offer users a lot of ways to interact with the screen without using a physical power button. One of the most popular and convenient features is the ability to unlock the device or turn on the display by simply double tapping the screen. This option greatly simplifies the daily use of the gadget, allowing you to instantly check notifications or time without pressing unnecessary buttons. However, depending on the version of the operating system and shell One UI, the location of this parameter may change, which often misleads users.
If you recently updated your phone or purchased a new model, you may have noticed that the familiar switch has disappeared from the standard settings menu. This is due to the fact that the company Samsung regularly reworks the menu structure to optimize the user experience. In some cases, the function is enabled by default, in others it requires activation through hidden sections or special applications. In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for enabling this function on different firmware versions.
It is worth noting that not all models support this feature at the hardware level. Entry-level budget devices sometimes lack adequate sensors or software support to save battery power. However, for most mid- and high-end devices this option is standard. We will look at solutions both for current versions of Android and for older models, where the interface could be different.
Standard activation method in the screen settings
The most obvious and first way that any smartphone owner should check is the standard display settings menu. In most cases, developers leave this function here, since it is directly related to screen control. You need to unlock the device and find the icon Settings in the notification shade or on the main screen. After entering the menu, scroll down the list to the section responsible for visual parameters.
Inside the screen settings section, you need to find an item that may have different names depending on the localization and firmware version. Most often it is designated as Easy enable or Easy wake up. By clicking on this item, you will see a list of available gestures. Among them should be a toggle for “Tap twice to turn on screen.” Activating this slider immediately launches the feature.
Sometimes users cannot find this item because it is hidden inside the “Advanced Features” submenu. If the required option is not in the main display menu, try going to the Additional functions section and look for a block related to movements and gestures there. On some models of the series Galaxy A i Galaxy M the menu logic is built in such a way as to unload the main settings.
If you do not find the switch right away, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu. Enter the request “touch” or “turn on”, and the system itself will prompt you with the desired item.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with AMOLED screens, the double-tap function can only work when the Always On Display mode is turned off, to avoid false positives.
Standard activation path: Settings → Display → Easy switching on → Tap twice to switch on.
Features of switching on on new versions of One UI
With the release of updates One UI 5.0 and higher, as well as the latest One UI 6, Samsung has made significant changes to the operating logic gestures Double tap functionality is now tightly integrated with Always On Display. This means that unlocking the screen with a double tap often only works when the clock or notifications are showing on the switched off display. If the screen is completely black, the sensor can ignore touches to save energy.
In new interfaces, the setting has moved to the section Lock screen. This may seem counterintuitive since the function used to be related to the display, but now it is seen as a method of accessing a locked device. Go to settings, select “Lock screen”, and then find the Touch to turn on information and clockoption. Enabling this option automatically activates the double-tap response.
It is also worth mentioning the function Rise to Wake, which is often paired with a double tap. In new software versions, these two options may conflict if the proximity sensor does not work correctly. If you notice that the screen turns on by itself in your pocket, try disabling the device's lift, leaving only a double tap.
Why does the function disappear after the update?
Sometimes after a major system update, the settings are reset to factory settings. The function is not deleted, but simply deactivated. You need to go through the menu again and turn on the switch.
Users of flagship series Galaxy S23 and S24 may encounter that touch sensitivity changes depending on the presence of protective glass. In the display settings there is a separate “Sensitivity” slider, which should be increased if a double tap is triggered through a case or thick glass.
Using the Good Lock application for advanced settings
If standard methods do not give the desired result or you want more advanced control over gestures, the best solution is to use the official Samsung settings module - Good Lock. This is a powerful application, available in the store Galaxy Storethat allows you to customize the interface far beyond the capabilities of the standard menu. To work with gestures, we need a module called Home Up or One Hand Operation+.
After installing Good Lock, download the Home Up plugin. Inside this plugin, go to the Home Screen section and find the Gesture settings. Here you can not only enable double tap to wake, but also assign other actions to this gesture, such as launching a specific application or turning on the flashlight. This provides flexibility that is not available in standard settings.
The module One Hand Operation+ also allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the screen edges and touch zones. Although it's more focused on swiping, its advanced settings include options that affect how multi-touch gestures are handled, which can help if the standard double-tap is unstable.
⚠️ Attention: The Good Lock application is not officially available in all regions. If you don't find it in the Galaxy Store, you may need to change your Samsung account region to a supported one (for example, USA or Korea).
Third-party applications for gesture emulation
In situations where hardware support for double touch is not available at the driver level or the manufacturer has blocked this function in a budget model, third-party solutions from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. There are many apps that emulate the behavior of a system feature using Android accessibility services. One of the most popular and reliable solutions is the application Double Tap Screen On and Off.
The principle of operation of such utilities is to create an invisible layer on top of the screen that intercepts touches. When an app registers two quick taps, it sends a command to the system to turn the display on or off. Installation is usually simple: download the app, grant it the necessary permissions in the accessibility menu, and set the sensitivity zone.
However, using third-party software has its drawbacks. The main thing is increased battery consumption, since the application must constantly run in the background and poll the touch screen. In addition, such apps may conflict with other system gestures or games where quick presses are important.
| Application name | Battery consumption | Requires Root | Operation stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Tap Screen On | Average | No | High |
| Gravity Screen | High | No | Average |
| Proximity Service | Low | Yes (optional) | Very high |
| Knock On/Off | Average | No | High |
Before installing any third-party software, carefully read reviews and check permissions. Some unscrupulous developers may use screen access to collect data. Give preference to applications with a large number of downloads and high ratings.
☑️ Check before installing third-party software
Diagnostics of problems with the sensor and calibration
It happens that the function is enabled in the settings, but the phone stubbornly does not respond to a double tap. In this case, the problem may not lie in the software, but in incorrect operation of the touch layer or contamination of the screen. Dust, moisture, or greasy stains may prevent multi-touch gestures from being recognized correctly. First of all, thoroughly wipe the screen with microfiber.
If cleaning does not help, you should diagnose the sensor through the Samsung engineering menu. To do this, open the phone application and enter the code #0#. In the menu that appears, select Touch. You'll be prompted to swipe your finger across each grid cell to test the response of each area of the screen. If some sectors do not turn green, then there is a hardware fault in this area.
The problem may also be related to the protective glass. Cheap glass with low transparency or too thick glass can shield the sensor signal, making light touches invisible to the controller. Try temporarily removing the protection and checking the function. If everything works perfectly without glass, the reason has been found.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use the engineering menu code to change parameters that you do not understand. Section Touch is safe for testing, but other items may reset color or sound calibration.
In rare cases, resetting accessibility settings helps. Go to Settings → Accessibility and disable all active services except those that are vital to you. Sometimes a conflict between the screen reader service and the gesture module blocks the double tap from working.
The impact of the power saving mode on the operation of gestures
One of the common reasons for the function to suddenly turn off is the activation of the power saving mode. When the battery charge drops below a certain level (usually 15% or 20%), the system automatically goes into saving mode, disabling background processes and “beautiful” but energy-consuming functions. Double tapping, which requires the sensor to be constantly ready, is often shortlisted.
To test this hypothesis, go to the battery settings and make sure the mode Energy saving is turned off. Also check the Adaptive Battery settings, which may limit system services if the phone has not been actively used for a long time. Some firmwares have a separate item “Limit background activity”, which should be disabled for testing.
If it is critical for you to use a double tap when the battery is low, you can add the corresponding system application to the list of exceptions for the power saving mode. Find the item “Applications in sleep mode” or “Inactive applications” in the battery settings and make sure that system interface services are not blocked there.
For maximum stability of gestures, it is recommended to disable the "Ultra-saving" mode, as it leaves only the basic set of functions available and disables all touch gestures.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why doesn’t double-tapping work when the screen is off?
Most likely, you have the Always On Display function disabled or the display of information is prohibited in the lock screen settings. On new versions of One UI, a double tap activates the lock screen with a clock, and does not completely unlock the phone.
Is it possible to set up a triple tap instead of a double?
This cannot be done using standard Samsung tools. However, using the Good Lock application and the Home Up module, you can reassign gestures or create your own combinations for launching applications.
Does enabling this feature affect battery consumption?
The impact is minimal. The touch screen consumes negligible power in standby mode. However, if you have Always On Display enabled, the consumption will be higher, but this is due to the display mode, and not the touch gesture itself.
Does double tapping work when using a book case?
Yes, it works, but only if the case does not completely cover the screen. If you have a case with a window (S-View), double-tapping on the window area may not work, since this area often has a separate operating logic.
What to do if the function turns itself off after a reboot?
This is a sign of a software failure or an update conflict. Try clearing the cache of the settings section through the recovery menu (Recovery Mode) or reset your phone to factory settings, having first saved the data.