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Use this iPhone feature to easily reach the top of the screen

Tired of trying to stretch your thumb all the way to the top of your iPhone's screen? Try this.

Jason Cipriani Contributing Writer, ZDNet
Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.
Jason Cipriani
2 min read
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When Apple introduced the larger-screened iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, it conceded users would need help with using the bigger devices with one hand. Apple's solution is called Reachability. The feature makes it quicker and easier to reach to content at the top of the screen.

Reachability is currently available on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

The solution requires you to double-tap the home button. (Notice I didn't say double-press, as that activates the app switcher.) A double-tap, or -touch, will move the top half of content on the screen down to the bottom half of the screen.

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Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

You can then tap on a link or button, or scroll through a list or webpage. After tapping on the screen, the content will slide back to its normal position.

In practice, Reachability has been a useful way to quickly tap a button at the top of the screen without having to adjust your grip on the phone or use a second hand. The blank space that takes up the top half of the screen isn't wasted either. In fact, you can swipe down within that space to activate Notification Center or the Today view.

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Enlarge Image
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Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

If you don't like or use Reachability, disable the feature on your iPhone. First, launch the Settings app, tap General > Accessibility then toggle the Reachability switch to the Off position.

Editors' note: This post was originally published on September 22, 2014. It has since been updated to reflect new devices and capabilities.