Turn Off Tap to Wake on iPhone or iPad: Settings

To turn off Tap to Wake on an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and toggle off Tap to Wake. On iPhone 14 Pro and later models (and iPad Pro with ProMotion), you may also need to disable Always On Display in the same menu, as that feature can make the screen appear to wake with a tap even when Tap to Wake is off.

What Tap to Wake Actually Does

Tap to Wake is a convenience feature introduced with the iPhone X and later expanded to iPads. When enabled, a single tap on the locked screen wakes the display so you can see notifications, the time, or widgets without pressing the side button or Home button. It does not unlock the device—it only lights up the screen. On iPads, the feature is available on models with an Liquid Retina display or newer, but not on older iPads with a physical Home button (those wake by pressing Home).

How to Turn It Off on iPhone

Open the Settings app.
Tap Display & Brightness.
Scroll down to the “Tap to Wake” toggle.
Switch it off (the toggle will turn gray).
If you have an iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 Pro model, also check the Always On Display section just above. Turn off Always On Display if you want the screen to stay completely dark when not in use.

How to Turn It Off on iPad

The steps are identical on iPads that support Tap to Wake (iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch, iPad Air 4th gen and later, iPad mini 6th gen and later, and iPad 8th gen and later). Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and toggle off Tap to Wake. Some iPads also have a “Wake on Connection” option that lights the screen when you attach a keyboard or Apple Pencil—you can turn that off separately if it bothers you.

Why You Might Want It Off

Accidental wakes: In a bag or pocket, a stray tap can light the screen and drain battery.
Privacy: If you don’t want notifications visible when the screen lights up unexpectedly.
Battery life: Every wake uses a small amount of power; disabling it can extend standby time slightly.
Distraction: Some users find the screen lighting up during movies or meetings annoying.

If the Toggle Is Missing or Grayed Out

If you don’t see the Tap to Wake toggle, your device likely doesn’t support the feature. Older iPhones with a Home button (iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd gen, iPhone 8 and earlier) do not have Tap to Wake—they wake with the Home button or side button. On some iPads, the feature is only available when the device is unlocked or when a keyboard is attached. Also, if you have a screen protector or a thick case, the touch sensitivity may be reduced, making the feature seem inactive even when it’s on.

Related Settings: Raise to Wake and Always On Display

Tap to Wake is often confused with Raise to Wake (which wakes the screen when you pick up the phone) and Always On Display (which keeps a dim version of the lock screen visible at all times on Pro models). To disable all automatic screen-waking behaviors, you need to turn off all three:

Raise to Wake: Settings > Display & Brightness > Raise to Wake (off).
Always On Display: Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display (off).
Tap to Wake: Settings > Display & Brightness > Tap to Wake (off).

After turning these off, the screen will only light up when you press the side button, Home button, or tap the screen while it’s already on (e.g., to dismiss a notification).

Does Turning It Off Affect Face ID or Touch ID?

No. Disabling Tap to Wake does not affect biometric unlocking. Face ID still works when you press the side button to wake the phone, and Touch ID still works when you press the Home button. The only change is that a simple tap won’t light the screen—you’ll need to press a physical button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPhone screen turn on when I tap it even though Tap to Wake is off?

This usually happens because Raise to Wake is still enabled, or because you have an iPhone with Always On Display active. Also, if you have a notification that arrives, the screen will light up briefly. Check both settings in Display & Brightness.

Can I turn off Tap to Wake on an iPhone SE?

No. iPhone SE models (2nd and 3rd generation) do not have Tap to Wake. They use the Home button to wake. If you want to reduce accidental wakes, you can disable Raise to Wake.

Does Tap to Wake drain battery?

Yes, but minimally. Each time the screen lights up, it uses a small amount of power. If you frequently tap the screen accidentally, disabling it can save a little battery over a day.

Will turning off Tap to Wake stop my iPad from waking when I touch the screen with an Apple Pencil?

No. Apple Pencil taps are a separate feature. To prevent the iPad from waking when you tap with the Pencil, go to Settings > Apple Pencil and turn off “Tap to Wake” there, if available. On some iPads, this option is under Settings > Display & Brightness > Wake on Connection.

Can I turn off Tap to Wake temporarily?

There is no built-in schedule for Tap to Wake. You can use Focus modes to reduce notifications, but the screen will still wake on tap. The only way to disable it temporarily is to turn it off manually and then turn it back on.

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

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