Outcome: Set up your iPhone so a double-tap on the back instantly identifies any song with Shazam.

Who this is for: iPhone users who hear songs in public and want a faster way to name them.

Time required: About 2 minutes.

Quick Answer

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap, assign Shazam to Double Tap, then tap the back of your iPhone when music is playing. Your iPhone will listen and show the track without opening the app first.

What You Need First (Prerequisites)

  • iPhone 8 or newer
  • iOS 14 or later
  • Shazam available on your iPhone (built into newer iOS versions, or install from the App Store)

Official references: Apple Support: Use Back Tap, Apple iPhone User Guide: Back Tap, Apple Shazam guide.

Step-by-Step: Turn Back Tap into a Shazam Button

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap.
  3. Choose Double Tap (or Triple Tap if you prefer).
  4. Scroll down and select Shazam (or Shazam It under Shortcuts).
  5. Play any song near your phone, then double-tap the back of your iPhone near the Apple logo.
  6. Wait 1–3 seconds for the listening indicator, then read the detected song result.

Expected Result (How to Check It Worked)

  • You see Shazam activate immediately after the back tap.
  • The song title and artist appear in a small result card/notification.
  • You can do this from lock screen or while another app is open.

Common Mistakes

  • Tapping too lightly: Back Tap needs a firm, deliberate tap.
  • Using a thick case: Some rugged cases reduce tap detection.
  • Wrong action assigned: Double Tap may still be set to Screenshot or another command.
  • Microphone access denied: Shazam cannot identify music without mic permission.

Quick Troubleshooting

  1. Remove the case and test again.
  2. Re-check Back Tap assignment: Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap.
  3. Enable mic permission: Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone (or Settings → Shazam).
  4. Restart iPhone and test once more.
  5. Update iOS: Settings → General → Software Update.

Bonus: Shazam from Control Center, Even Offline

Don’t want to use Back Tap? You can also identify songs from Control Center, and since iOS 26.4 this works even with no signal (on a plane, in a tunnel, or in a crowded venue). Your iPhone captures the song now and shows the match once you’re back online.

  1. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner).
  2. If you don’t see the Music Recognition (Shazam) button, add it: touch and hold an empty spot in Control Center, tap Add a Control, and choose Music Recognition.
  3. When a song is playing, tap Music Recognition and hold your phone near the audio source for several seconds.
  4. If you’re offline, reconnect to Wi-Fi or mobile data later. The matched song title and artist appear automatically.

Tips: Loud bars, crowds, or a quiet speaker reduce match quality, so get closer to the source. If nothing shows up after reconnecting, play the song again and retry. References: Apple: Use and customize Control Center, 9to5Mac on the iOS 26.4 change.

Why This Trick Is Worth Using

This feels like a hidden button on your iPhone. It is faster than opening Control Center or asking Siri, and it is perfect in cars, cafés, or parties when you want a song name fast.

Next Step

After this works, set Triple Tap to a second shortcut (like Flashlight or Screenshot) so your iPhone back taps do two useful things instead of one.

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