Maximize Your iPhone: The Top Tricks Every Owner Should Know
The iPhone is an incredibly powerful device, but most users only scratch the surface of what it can do. With over a decade of iPhones on the market, there are many hidden features and tricks that can help you get the most out of your iPhone. Here are some of the best iPhone tricks to try:
Customize Control Center
The Control Center gives you quick access to frequently used settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, calculator, and more. You can customize the Control Center to include your most used controls. Go to Settings > Control Center and tap the green plus icon next to the controls you want to add. This makes it easy to access the settings you need the most.
Use Camera Shortcuts
The default Camera app has some shortcuts to quickly take photos. For example, press the Volume Up button to take a photo. Or, press either Volume button to quickly record a video. You can even take timed photos using the 3 second or 10 second timer. Use these shortcuts to capture moments easily.
Scan Documents with Notes App
The built-in Notes app has a powerful document scanner. Open a new note, tap the camera icon, and select “Scan Documents”. You can then use the camera to scan documents, whiteboards, receipts and more into a PDF in the Notes app. This saves you from having to download a separate scanner app.
Pin Content with Screen Time
The Screen Time feature lets you pin content so that it is always available on the home screen. You could pin useful apps like Settings, Camera, Calendar or Reminders. Or pin a specific Safari web page or map location. Pinned items will persist on the home screen until you unpin them.
Use Magnifier
The Magnifier tool uses the iPhone’s camera to act as a magnifying glass. Triple-click the side button to launch it. You can slide to adjust magnification level. And toggle the flash to add light when magnifying something in low light. It’s perfect for reading small text.
Markup Photos and Screenshots
In the Photos app, tap the edit button while viewing a photo. Then tap the three dots in the bottom left corner to find the Markup tool. This allows you to draw, markup and add text to any photo. Great for highlighting important details. You can also markup screenshots before sharing them.
Quick App Switching
Swipe left or right along the bottom edge of the screen to jump between your most recently used apps. Swipe all the way to quickly scroll through your recently used apps. This makes multitasking a breeze.
Wake to Last Used App
Instead of your home screen, you can wake directly into the last used app. Enable this under Settings > Display & Brightness > Wake to Last Used App. Then your Lock Screen will show the most recently used app, tap to open it instantly.
Focus Mode
Use Focus mode to avoid distractions by temporarily limiting app notifications and availability. Tap Settings > Focus > Add Focus. Choose applications and contacts you want to silence. Enable Focus when you need to limit distractions.
Back Tap for Shortcuts
Set up Back Tap under Settings > Accessibility > Touch. You can double or triple tap the back of your iPhone to trigger shortcuts like taking a screenshot, muting audio, opening the Camera, Control Center, Notification Center and more.
Secret Trackpad
Did you know you can turn your keyboard into a trackpad? Just press and hold the space bar then slide your finger around to move the cursor like a trackpad. You can use this to quickly edit text or move the cursor.
Quickly Change Keyboards
When using multiple keyboard languages, you can quickly switch between them by pressing and holding the globe key. No need to go into Settings each time. Just press and hold to view all enabled keyboards.
Use Color Filters
Enable Color Filters in the Accessibility settings. When turned on, this adds a color tint over the screen. You can use this to make screens easier on the eyes in low light conditions. Especially useful at night.
MagSafe Wallet Tracker
If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, attach an Apple MagSafe Wallet. You can then locate the wallet if lost using the new item tracking feature. See Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Show My Wallet.
Scan Text with Camera
Point your camera at any text, then tap the scan text button to instantly extract text. You can select, copy, translate or lookup definitions. It even reads text aloud. Perfect for scanning signs, documents, and handwritten notes.
Temporary Wallpaper
When texting a photo to someone, you can set it as a temporary wallpaper. Tap and hold the photo, then select “Wallpaper” to set it as wallpaper until the next time your phone is locked. Great for temporarily admiring photos.
Quickly Mute Audio
Need to quickly mute incoming calls or alerts? Just press either Volume button to instantly mute audio. The ringer and alerts will be muted until you press a volume button again to unmute.
Find My iPhone when Offline
Can’t find your iPhone somewhere in your home and it’s offline? Use Find My from another iDevice to make your phone play a sound, even if offline. As long as it’s powered on, you can locate it with sound.
Precise Volume Control
For more precise volume control, press and hold the volume HUD when adjusting volume. This will expand it to show more gradient levels. Let go when you reach the exact volume level desired.
Scan Credit Cards & IDs
In the Wallet app, tap the plus to scan a credit card or state ID. Double click the side button to quickly bring up your Wallet. Your card details and info will be automatically extracted.
Quickly Move Cursor
While typing, tap and hold the space bar to enable cursor mode. Then drag left/right on the keyboard to precisely move the cursor in text. Makes editing text much easier.
App Library Search
Can’t find an app on your home screen pages? Just swipe down and search for it. Results will show the app even if buried in your App Library. Tap to instantly open it.
Pin Conversations
In Messages, swipe left on any conversation in your list to pin it. Pinned conversations will always stay at the top of your messages list for quick access.
These are just some of the many helpful iPhone tricks and tips available. With regular use, they can save you time and make using your iPhone much more efficient. Try them out to get the most from your iPhone! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.