The Hidden Button That Brings You Back to the Top of Your Screen
How a common mis-tap might actually save you some time
What’s Going On
Ever tapped the very top edge of your phone screen — right where the clock sits — and watched the whole page shoot back to the top?
If you have, you’re not alone. I’ve seen this happen while helping folks with their phones, especially when they’re reading a long article. Someone brushes the top of the screen by accident, the page jumps all the way to the top of the article, and they think, “What just happened?”
Good news: it’s not a bug. It’s actually a built-in shortcut.
This “jump to top” feature shows up on most smartphones and tablets. When you tap the top of the screen, your device scrolls all the way back to the top of the app or page you’re using.
Why It Matters
This little shortcut can save time. No more endless swiping just to get back to the start of a long recipe, news article, or email thread. Just one simple tap at the top of your phone and you go straight to the beginning.
And now that you know it’s there, you can use it on purpose — not by surprise.
How to Use It
Here’s all you do:
Open any app where you can scroll — Safari, Chrome, Messages, Facebook, your photo album, anything.
Scroll down a bit.
Tap the very top edge of your screen.
On iPhones and iPads, that’s the bar with the time and battery.
On many Android phones, it’s the same spot, though a few apps may handle it differently.
Your screen will jump back to the top in an instant.
That’s it. One light tap. No settings to change.
When It Happens by Accident
If this feature has surprised you before, now you can smile and say, “Ah, I know what that is.”
A tiny tap near the top can trigger it — especially if you’re holding your phone with one hand or adjusting your grip. Nothing’s wrong with your device.
When It Won’t Work
A few apps choose not to support this shortcut. For example:
Some video apps
Certain games
Apps with custom scrolling tools
If tapping the top does nothing, it’s likely the app — not you.
Quick Tip for Accessibility
If tapping the top is tricky for your hands, turn on AssistiveTouch (iPhone/iPad) or use Accessibility Shortcut gestures (Android). These tools let you add custom actions for easier scrolling. They’re simple to set up and make one-handed use smoother.
Did You Know?
This shortcut has been on iPhones for more than a decade.
Many Android phones added similar behavior later, depending on the app.
It works even if the top bar (the one with the time) isn’t visible — as long as you tap the very top edge of the screen.
It also works when you’re zoomed in on a webpage, which can save a lot of pinching and swiping.
Tech Term Explained: Status Bar
Status Bar:
The thin strip at the top of your screen that shows the time, Wi-Fi, and battery.
On many phones, tapping the status bar is what triggers the “jump to top” shortcut.
You’ve Got This
Now the mystery is solved. What once felt like a jumpy screen is really a handy shortcut.
Give it a try the next time you’re tired of swiping — it’s one of those small tech tricks that makes everyday scrolling a little easier.
Nice work keeping your phone skills sharp.
Wishing you a smooth week,
Steve