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How-To: Tap to Turn Off Screen on Windows 10 Mobile

How-To: Tap to Turn Off Screen on Windows 10 Mobile

NOTE: Commenters are correct - the ​Tap to Wake​ feature was not included on the newer commercial Windows 10 devices but is still available on other handsets running Windows 10 Mobile. My apologies for any confusion.

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I occasionally stalk the Twitter feed of Gabe Aul.

Why do I do that?

Well, it gives some really great insight into what issues, concerns and suggestions Windows Insiders are experiencing and as someone who watches Microsoft every day it is important to stay up to speed on those things.

Ever since Windows 10 Mobile builds began to arrive one of the most common questions I see in Gabe's Twitter feed is whether or not the popular Tap to Wake feature would return to the new operating system.

If you are unfamiliar with this feature it basically allowed you to just reach out and double tap your screen's device  and it would wake up so you can see your Lock Screen.

This would let you have a quick look at any alerts, notifications, time and calendar events without having to pick up the device and hit the power button.

As I mentioned, a lot of Windows 10 Mobile users would like to see this come back however, so far I have not seen any indication from Microsoft that it is on the roadmap.

I did uncover a little known feature that is the exact opposite of Tap to Wake and that is Tap to Sleep.

Just go into Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and find the Double-tap the navigation bar to turn off the screen at the bottom of the page to turn this feature on.

Doubel Tap To Wake on Windows 10 Mobile

Once that is turned on you can double tap the navigation bar on any screen to immediately turn the screen off - basically the same action as hitting the power button briefly.

Although it is not quite as handy compared to the Tap to Wake option, it will save a little wear and tear on that power button once you activate it and develop this new habit.

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