sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

Double & Triple Back Tap on Samsung Galaxy

Guide 10-41985 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to set up the double and triple back tap gestures on Samsung Galaxy phones, letting you launch apps, take screenshots, open the notification panel, or trigger other shortcuts by simply tapping the back of your device. You’ll need a Galaxy phone running One UI 5.0 or later (Android 13+), and the Good Lock app (free from the Galaxy Store) with the RegiStar module installed.

What You’ll Need

  • A Samsung Galaxy phone with One UI 5.0 or newer (check under Settings > About Phone > Software Information > One UI version).
  • The Good Lock app, downloadable from the Galaxy Store (search “Good Lock”).
  • The RegiStar module inside Good Lock (install it from the Good Lock app’s module list).

Step-by-Step

  1. Install Good Lock – Open the Galaxy Store on your phone, search for “Good Lock,” and tap Install. If Good Lock isn’t available in your region, you can sideload the APK from a trusted source, but the official store is safest.
  2. Open Good Lock and install RegiStar – Launch Good Lock, scroll to find “RegiStar” (it’s under “Make it yours” or in the module list). Tap it and select Install. If you don’t see it, update Good Lock first via the Galaxy Store.
  3. Open RegiStar – After installation, tap RegiStar in Good Lock to open its settings screen.
  4. Find the back tap settings – In RegiStar, look for a section called “Back tap” or “Tap the back of the phone.” The exact wording may vary by One UI version, but it’s usually near the top or under a “Miscellaneous” heading.
  5. Enable back tap – Tap the toggle to turn on the feature. You’ll see two options: “Double tap” and “Triple tap.”
  6. Set the double tap action – Tap “Double tap” and choose what you want it to do. Options include taking a screenshot, opening the notification panel, launching an app, opening the camera, or running a Bixby routine. Select your preferred action and confirm.
  7. Set the triple tap action – Similarly, tap “Triple tap” and pick a different action. For example, you could set double tap to open the camera and triple tap to take a screenshot.
  8. Test the gestures – Go back to your home screen and tap the back of your phone twice or three times (use the area below the camera lens). You should feel a small vibration and see your chosen action trigger.
  9. Adjust sensitivity if needed – If the taps aren’t registering, return to RegiStar and look for a sensitivity slider (sometimes labeled “Tap sensitivity” or “Detection strength”). Increase it slightly and test again.

Common Mistakes

  • Not installing RegiStar – Back tap is not a native One UI setting; it’s only available through Good Lock’s RegiStar module. If you don’t have it, the option won’t appear.
  • Tapping too hard or too softly – The gesture relies on the accelerometer, not a physical button. Tap with a firm, quick motion – not a hard thump or a gentle stroke.
  • Tapping the wrong area – Tap the lower half of the back cover, roughly where your index finger naturally rests. Tapping near the camera or top edge may not register.
  • Using an incompatible case – Thick or heavily cushioned cases can dampen the taps. Try without the case to see if that’s the issue.
  • Confusing double and triple taps – Make sure you’re not accidentally doing a triple tap when you meant a double tap. The phone waits a moment to distinguish between them, so tap deliberately.

Tips

  • Use different actions for double and triple taps – This gives you two quick shortcuts from the same gesture area. For example, double tap to open the camera, triple tap to turn on the flashlight.
  • Pair with Bixby Routines – In the action list, you can select “Bixby routine” to trigger a custom routine (e.g., double tap to switch to silent mode). This expands the possibilities far beyond simple app launches.
  • Set a screenshot shortcut – If you frequently take screenshots, assigning it to double tap is much faster than pressing the side buttons.
  • Keep the phone in a slim case – A thin case (like a basic silicone or plastic one) usually still works. If it doesn’t, you may need to adjust sensitivity or remove the case.
  • Update Good Lock regularly – Samsung updates Good Lock and RegiStar with new features and bug fixes. Check the Galaxy Store for updates periodically.

Troubleshooting

Back tap doesn’t work at all

  • Verify that RegiStar is installed and the back tap toggle is on. Restart your phone – sometimes the service needs a fresh start.
  • Check if you’re running One UI 5.0 or later. Older versions don’t support this feature.
  • Ensure Good Lock is allowed to run in the background. Go to Settings > Apps > Good Lock > Battery > “Unrestricted” to prevent it from being killed.

Taps register but trigger the wrong action

  • Go back to RegiStar and re-select the action for each tap. Sometimes the settings don’t save correctly after an update.
  • If you have both double and triple tap set, make sure you’re not accidentally doing a triple tap when you intend a double tap. The phone waits a moment to distinguish them, so tap deliberately.

Back tap works only sometimes

  • Increase the sensitivity in RegiStar. Also, remove any thick case or pop socket that might interfere.
  • Make sure your fingers are dry – moisture can reduce the accelerometer’s accuracy.

RegiStar is missing from Good Lock

  • Update Good Lock from the Galaxy Store. If it’s still missing, your device may not be supported (RegiStar is available on most Galaxy phones with One UI 5.0+, but a few budget models are excluded).
  • Try clearing Good Lock’s cache: Settings > Apps > Good Lock > Storage > Clear Cache, then reopen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is back tap available on all Samsung Galaxy phones?
No. It requires One UI 5.0 or later and is available on most mid-range and flagship models from 2022 onwards. Some budget A-series phones may not support it due to hardware or software limitations.

Can I use back tap to open any app?
Yes, you can select “App” from the action list and choose any installed app. You can also use it to run a Bixby routine, take a screenshot, open the notification panel, or toggle the flashlight.

Does back tap work when the phone is locked?
By default, back tap works only when the screen is on and unlocked. There’s no built-in option to make it work on the lock screen for security reasons.

Will back tap drain my battery?
Minimally. The accelerometer is always on for other features, so the added power consumption is negligible. You might notice a slight increase if you use it very frequently.

Can I set different actions for double and triple tap?
Yes, that’s the whole point. You can assign a different action to each gesture, giving you two shortcuts from the same area.

Does a screen protector affect back tap?
No, back tap uses the accelerometer inside the phone, not the screen. Screen protectors have no effect. Only thick cases or heavy impact-absorbing covers can interfere.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →