How to Undo and Redo on iPhone by Shaking It

This guide shows you how to use the shake gesture on your iPhone to undo or redo typing, editing, and other actions. It works in most Apple apps like Notes, Messages, Mail, and Safari, and also in many third-party apps. You don’t need any special setup—just make sure shake-to-undo is enabled in your iPhone’s settings.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS (any recent version)
• Shake to Undo enabled (it’s on by default, but we’ll check it)
• An app that supports the shake gesture (most text input areas do)

Step-by-Step

1. Check that Shake to Undo is enabled. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and make sure the toggle for “Shake to Undo” is green. If it’s off, turn it on.
2. Type or perform an action you want to undo. For example, type a sentence in Notes, delete a photo in Photos, or move an email in Mail.
3. Physically shake your iPhone. Hold the phone firmly and give it a quick, sharp shake—like you’re trying to shake dice in your hand. The motion needs to be noticeable, but not violent.
4. Tap “Undo” in the pop-up. A small dialog will appear at the top of the screen with an “Undo” button (and sometimes “Redo” if you’ve already undone). Tap it to revert the last action.
5. To redo, shake again and tap “Redo.” If you’ve just undone something, shaking again will offer a “Redo” button. Tap it to re-apply the action you just undid.
6. Repeat as needed. Each shake undoes the most recent action. You can keep shaking to go back multiple steps, but note that some apps only support one level of undo.

Common Mistakes

• Shaking too gently – The iPhone’s accelerometer needs a clear motion. A tiny wiggle won’t trigger it.
• Shaking too violently – You might drop the phone or trigger it accidentally. A firm, quick shake is enough.
• Not checking the pop-up – The undo/redo prompt appears briefly at the top. If you miss it, you might think it didn’t work.
• Using it in unsupported apps – Some apps (especially games or certain third-party editors) don’t support the shake gesture. In those cases, you’ll need to use the app’s own undo button (often an arrow icon).
• Expecting it to undo everything – Shake-to-undo only works for the last action in many contexts. It won’t undo multiple steps in all apps.

Tips

• Use the three-finger gesture as an alternative. On iPhones with 3D Touch or newer iOS versions, you can also swipe left with three fingers to undo, or swipe right to redo. This is often more precise than shaking.
• Shake to undo also works for deleting. If you accidentally delete a note, photo, or email, shaking can often bring it back.
• In the Files app, shake to undo can rename or move files back. It’s handy for accidental file operations.
• If you have an Apple Pencil, you can double-tap the side to undo in some apps. That’s a faster method for drawing or handwriting.
• Practice with a simple text app. Open Notes and type a few words, then shake to see the undo prompt. This helps you get a feel for the motion.

Troubleshooting

Shaking doesn’t bring up the Undo prompt.

• First, check that “Shake to Undo” is enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
• Make sure you’re in an app that supports it. Try Notes or Messages.
• If you’re using a case, it might dampen the motion. Try removing the case and shaking again.
• Restart your iPhone. A simple reboot can fix temporary glitches.

The Undo prompt appears but tapping “Undo” doesn’t do anything.

• This can happen if the action you’re trying to undo isn’t undoable (e.g., you just scrolled). Try typing something first, then shake.
• Some actions, like sending a message, can’t be undone. In that case, you’ll need to manually delete or edit the content.

I accidentally undid something and want it back.

• Shake again and tap “Redo.” If the Redo option doesn’t appear, you may be out of luck—some apps only keep one step of history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does shake-to-undo work on all iPhones?

Yes, it works on all iPhones with an accelerometer, which includes every model since the original iPhone. The feature has been available since iOS 3.

Can I use shake-to-undo in third-party apps?

Many do, but not all. Apps that have custom text fields (like some note-taking or coding apps) may override the gesture. If it doesn’t work, look for the app’s own undo button.

How do I turn off shake-to-undo?

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and toggle off “Shake to Undo.” This is useful if you find yourself triggering it accidentally.

What if I shake and it says “Undo” but I want to redo instead?

Just tap “Undo” first, then shake again—the prompt should now show “Redo.” Or, if you haven’t tapped anything, you can tap the “Redo” button if it appears alongside “Undo.”

Does shake-to-undo work for deleting photos?

Yes, in the Photos app, shaking after deleting a photo will offer to undo the deletion, which restores the photo to its original album.

Is there a way to undo without shaking?

Yes. You can use the three-finger swipe left to undo and swipe right to redo on most iPhones. Also, many apps have an undo button in their toolbar (often a curved arrow).

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