The Accidental Activation Vector
Modern iPhones lacking a physical Home button rely on a feature known as “Tap to Wake.” A single, light tap anywhere on the black, sleeping screen will instantly ignite the display. While designed for rapid checking of notifications, it is highly prone to accidental activation. If you simply carry the phone in your hand while walking, or slip it into a tight pocket, the screen will constantly flash on, draining the battery and occasionally triggering accidental passcode entries that lock you out of the device.
How to Disable the Tap to Wake Feature
You must instruct the iPhone to completely ignore touchscreen inputs while the device is locked, forcing you to use the physical side button to wake the screen.
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down the main list and tap on Accessibility.
3. Under the “Physical and Motor” section, tap on Touch.
4. Scroll down until you locate the toggle switch labelled Tap to Wake.
5. Tap the toggle to switch it to the Off position (the switch will turn grey).
Lock your device to test the change. You can now tap the screen as much as you like; the display will remain completely dormant. The only way to illuminate the screen is to physically press the Power button on the side of the chassis, or to rely on the “Raise to Wake” feature if you still have it enabled.