Introduction

Motorola has always been known for its clean, efficient, and user-friendly Android experience. With Hello UI, Motorola adds even more personalization options, giving users intuitive features that make daily phone use effortless. One of the most convenient among these is the “Double Tap to Wake” function — a feature that lets you wake your screen by simply tapping it twice.

If you’ve ever struggled to reach the power button or wanted a faster way to check notifications, Double Tap to Wake is your solution. It’s sleek, practical, and easy to activate. In this guide, we’ll show you how to enable Double Tap to Wake on Motorola phones with Hello UI, explain how it works, and give you tips to make the most out of it.

What is Double Tap to Wake?

Double Tap to Wake (DT2W) is a gesture feature that allows you to wake your phone’s display by quickly tapping twice on the screen instead of pressing the physical power button. It’s part of Motorola’s Smart Gestures suite inside Hello UI and is available on most modern Motorola phones, including:

Moto G (2023–2025 models)
Moto Edge series
Moto E series (selected versions)
Motorola Razr (Hello UI builds)

This feature is not only convenient but also helps extend the lifespan of your power button, as you’ll rely on it less frequently.

Why You Should Enable Double Tap to Wake

Before we jump into the steps, here’s why this feature is so useful:

✅ Fast access: Quickly view time, notifications, or battery status without pressing any button.
✅ Prevents wear and tear: Reduces pressure on the physical power button.
✅ Ideal for large devices: Easier to wake up the screen on phones with tall displays.
✅ Battery friendly: Uses minimal power, as only the touch sensor activates for detection.

Step-by-Step: How to Enable Double Tap to Wake on Motorola (Hello UI)

Follow these steps carefully to activate the feature on any Motorola device running Hello UI:

Step 1: Open Settings

From your home screen or app drawer, open the Settings app.
You can also swipe down the notification shade and tap the gear icon in the top-right corner.

Step 2: Go to Display Settings

Scroll down and find the section labeled Display.
This is where Motorola includes all screen-related settings such as brightness, color mode, and gestures.

Step 3: Tap on “Advanced” or “Gestures” (Depending on Device)

On some Hello UI versions, “Double Tap to Wake” is located under Advanced Display Settings, while on others, it’s grouped inside Gestures or Moto Actions.

So, depending on your phone model, tap:

Settings › Display › Advanced › Tap to Wake
or
Settings › Gestures › Tap to Wake

Step 4: Enable “Double Tap to Wake”

Once you locate the option, you’ll see a toggle switch next to Double Tap to Wake (or Tap to Check Phone on some models).
👉 Turn the toggle ON.

Your Motorola phone will now respond to double-taps on the screen when it’s off — instantly lighting up the display.

Step 5: (Optional) Enable “Lift to Wake” for Even Better Experience

For the smoothest experience, combine “Double Tap to Wake” with Lift to Wake, which automatically turns on the screen when you pick up your phone.

To enable it:

Go to Settings › Display › Advanced.
Turn on Lift to Wake.

Now, you can either lift or double-tap your Motorola phone to wake the screen effortlessly.

Alternative Method via Moto App (if available)

Some Motorola phones running Hello UI still include the Moto app — a central hub for gestures, display options, and personalization.

If your phone has it:

Open the Moto App.
Tap Display or Gestures.
Look for Tap to Wake or Double Tap to Wake Screen.
Toggle it on.

This method works especially well on Moto Edge and Razr devices that run hybrid Hello UI builds.

If Double Tap to Wake Isn’t Working

If the feature doesn’t activate after turning it on, try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Check for a Screen Protector

Some thick glass protectors or fingerprint-resistant coatings can interfere with touch sensitivity.
👉 Go to Settings › Display › Touch Sensitivity and increase it if available.

2. Restart Your Phone

A simple restart can refresh system gestures and fix temporary bugs that stop the tap feature from working.

3. Update Your Software

Make sure your Motorola phone is running the latest Hello UI update:

Go to Settings › System › Advanced › System update
Tap Check for updates

4. Disable Battery Saver

Battery Saver or Performance Mode may temporarily disable gesture-based features to save power.

Go to Settings › Battery › Battery Saver → Turn it off.

5. Reset Display Preferences

If you’ve made custom changes that affect gestures, reset display preferences:

Settings › System › Reset options › Reset app preferences

How Double Tap to Wake Works (Quick Tech Insight)

Motorola’s implementation of Double Tap to Wake uses a low-power touch detection system integrated into the phone’s display controller. Even when the screen is “off,” a part of the digitizer remains active, listening for a double-tap pattern within a short time window (usually under 300ms).

Because it runs on a low-power subsystem (LPS), it consumes almost no additional battery — typically less than 1% per day even if used frequently.

This means you can enjoy quick screen activation without sacrificing battery life.

Additional Gestures You Can Try on Hello UI

While enabling Double Tap to Wake, take advantage of other gesture-based shortcuts Motorola provides under Moto Actions or Gestures:

Twist to Open Camera – Twist your wrist twice to instantly launch the camera.
Chop Twice for Flashlight – Quickly shake the phone twice to turn the flashlight on/off.
Lift to Unlock – When combined with Face Unlock, lifting the phone automatically wakes and unlocks it.
Swipe Fingerprint for Notifications – Swipe down on the fingerprint sensor to reveal your notifications panel.

These make your Motorola phone feel much faster and more interactive — a major reason Hello UI is praised for its fluid usability.

Benefits of Using Double Tap to Wake

Here’s why users love enabling DT2W on Motorola phones:

⭐ Saves hardware wear: Reduces long-term use of physical buttons.
⭐ Faster access: Check the screen while your phone is lying flat on a table.
⭐ Convenient with Face Unlock: No need to press any button; just tap and glance.
⭐ Perfect for one-handed use: Especially useful on large Motorola Edge and G Power devices.
⭐ Looks premium: Adds a modern, flagship-like feel to the device.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: My Motorola phone doesn’t have “Double Tap to Wake” — what should I do?
➡️ Some older or budget Motorola devices may not include this option. Try checking under Settings › Gestures › Tap to Check Phone or update to the latest Hello UI version if available.

Q2: Does Double Tap to Wake drain my battery?
➡️ Very minimally. The feature uses a low-power touch controller and barely affects battery life.

Q3: Can I use Double Tap to Wake with an Always-on Display?
➡️ Yes! If your Motorola model supports Always-on Display, both features can work together seamlessly.

Q4: Why is Double Tap to Wake greyed out?
➡️ Make sure Battery Saver or Bedtime Mode is not active, as they may restrict motion or touch gestures.

Q5: Is this feature available on all Hello UI devices?
➡️ It’s available on most models running Hello UI 1.0 to 3.0, including the Moto Edge 40, G54, and Razr 2024.

Conclusion

The Double Tap to Wake feature on Motorola phones running Hello UI is a simple yet powerful gesture that enhances convenience, saves hardware wear, and improves overall user experience. Whether you’re unlocking your phone, checking notifications, or using Face Unlock, this feature makes everything quicker and smoother.

So go ahead — enable it today and experience how a simple double tap can transform your interaction with your Motorola device.

How to Enable Double Tap to Wake on Motorola Screen (Hello UI Guide)