Discover 30 Hidden iOS Tips to Improve Your Experience

Jul 2, 2024

6

min read

Apple’s iOS is packed with features designed to enhance your user experience, but many of these remain hidden to the average user. Whether you're a seasoned iPhone user or new to the ecosystem, there’s always something new to learn. Note that not all features are available on all devices or iOS versions, so make sure to update your device to the latest supported iOS version to take full advantage of these tips.

Optimize Text Replacement Speed up typing with custom shortcuts. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and add phrases you frequently use to save time.
Back Tap Functionality Enable Back Tap to quickly perform actions by tapping the back of your phone. Set it up in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and choose your desired actions for double and triple taps.
Hidden Trackpad Turn your keyboard into a trackpad for precise cursor control. Long press the space bar and move your finger to position the cursor accurately.
Custom Vibration Patterns Create personalized vibration patterns for different contacts. Head to Contacts, select a person, tap Edit > Ringtone > Vibration > Create New Vibration.
Facial Recognition for Apps Use Face ID or Touch ID to secure individual apps. Apps like WhatsApp and Notes support this feature, which can be enabled in the app's settings.
Sound Recognition Alerts Get notified of important sounds like doorbells or alarms with Sound Recognition. Activate it in Settings > Accessibility > Sound Recognition and select the sounds you want to be alerted to.
One-Handed Keyboard For easier typing with one hand, enable the one-handed keyboard. Hold down the emoji or globe icon on the keyboard and select either the left or right-hand layout.
Smart Invert Smart Invert reverses the colors of the display for a dark mode experience without affecting images and media. Turn it on in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Smart Invert.
Hidden Safari Settings Enhance your Safari experience by long pressing the Aa icon in the address bar. Access options like Show Reader View, Request Desktop Website, and more.
Customized Control Center Personalize the Control Center by adding and removing controls. Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls to tailor it to your needs.
Limit App Access Use Guided Access to lock your device to a single app. This is great for kids or focus time. Enable it in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and triple-click the side button to activate.
Quick Access to Notes Instantly create notes by tapping the lock screen with an Apple Pencil on iPad or through the Control Center on iPhone. Configure this in Settings > Notes > Access Notes from Lock Screen.
Hidden Album in Photos Hide sensitive photos without deleting them. Select photos, tap the share button, and choose Hide. Access them later in the Hidden album under the Albums tab.
Sleep Tracking Track your sleep with the Health app. Set up a sleep schedule in the Clock app and sync data with compatible wearables for comprehensive sleep analysis.
Magnifier Tool Use your iPhone as a magnifying glass. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier and add it to your Control Center for quick access.
Announce Messages with Siri Have Siri read your messages aloud when you’re using AirPods. Turn this on in Settings > Siri & Search > Announce Messages.
Emergency SOS Quickly call for help by pressing the side button five times. Set up emergency contacts in Health > Medical ID > Edit.
Low Data Mode Reduce your data usage by enabling Low Data Mode. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and toggle on Low Data Mode.
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Watch videos while multitasking with PiP mode. Swipe up or press the home button while a video is playing to minimize it into a floating window.
Private Address Enhance your privacy by using a private Wi-Fi address. Turn this on in Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to your network, and enable Private Address.
Siri Suggestions Siri can provide useful app suggestions based on your habits. Enable this feature in Settings > Siri & Search > Suggestions in Search, Look Up, and Lock Screen.
Live Text Extract text from your photos and images. Tap and hold on text in a photo to copy, share, or look it up.
QuickTake Video Quickly start recording video without switching modes. In the Camera app, hold the shutter button to start recording.
Hide Pages on Home Screen Clean up your Home Screen by hiding entire pages. Long press the screen, tap the dots at the bottom, and uncheck the pages you want to hide.
Reduce White Point Reduce the intensity of bright colors to make your screen easier on the eyes. Enable this in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce White Point.
App Library Organization Access all your apps in the App Library for a cleaner Home Screen. Swipe left until you reach the App Library and organize your apps into categories.
Wi-Fi Network Sharing Easily share your Wi-Fi network with others. When a friend tries to connect to your network, a prompt will appear on your device to share the password.
Shake to Undo Quickly undo typing by shaking your iPhone. Enable or disable this feature in Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Shake to Undo.
Measure HeightMeasure someone’s height using the Measure app and AR capabilities on supported devices. Open the Measure app and point the camera at the person.
ProRAW and ProRes For photography enthusiasts, capture images in ProRAW format and videos in ProRes on supported devices. Enable these features in Settings > Camera > Formats.