iPhones are known for their sleek design and user-friendly interface, but many hidden features within iOS can make your device even more powerful and convenient to use. Whether you’re a new iPhone user or an experienced one, these lesser-known features can improve your productivity, enhance your customization, and streamline your everyday tasks. Let’s dive into some of the most useful and hidden iOS features that will change the way you use your iPhone.
1. Back Tap for Quick Actions
One of the most interesting and useful features in iOS is the Back Tap functionality, which allows you to perform actions by double or triple tapping the back of your iPhone. This is a great way to access commonly used functions without unlocking your phone or opening apps.
How to Enable Back Tap:
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Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
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Scroll down and select Back Tap.
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Choose either Double Tap or Triple Tap.
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Select the action you want to assign (e.g., screenshot, mute, open the camera).
With Back Tap, you can set up custom actions to make your phone even more efficient.
2. Focus Mode for Customized Notifications
Focus Mode is a feature designed to help you stay concentrated by controlling which notifications you receive. Whether you’re working, sleeping, or just relaxing, Focus Mode allows you to customize the notifications based on your current activity or location.
How to Set Up Focus Mode:
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Go to Settings > Focus.
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Choose a preset Focus (e.g., Do Not Disturb, Work, Sleep) or create a new one.
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Customize the apps and contacts that can send notifications during that Focus mode.
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You can also set a schedule or enable Focus based on your location or time of day.
With Focus Mode, you can prevent distractions and stay in the zone, no matter where you are.
3. Live Text for Quick Text Selection in Photos
One of the most powerful and underused iOS features is Live Text. This feature lets you copy, paste, look up, or translate text directly from photos or screenshots, making it easier to interact with text in images.
How to Use Live Text:
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Open the Photos app and select an image containing text.
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Tap the text in the image.
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Select, copy, or paste the text as you would with normal text.
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You can also translate or look up the text directly within the photo.
This feature saves time and makes it easier to extract information from any image with text.
4. Safari’s Built-in Translate Feature
Safari’s Translate feature is another hidden gem that makes browsing more convenient. If you come across a webpage in a foreign language, you can instantly translate it into your preferred language without using third-party apps.
How to Use Safari’s Translate:
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Open Safari and go to a webpage that is written in a foreign language.
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Tap the aA icon in the address bar.
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Select Translate from the dropdown menu.
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Choose the language you want to translate the webpage into.
This is a great tool for anyone who frequently browses websites in different languages.
5. Hidden Trackpad for More Precise Text Editing
Editing text on an iPhone can be tricky, especially if you need to make precise edits. Fortunately, iOS includes a hidden trackpad mode that makes moving the cursor and selecting text much easier.
How to Enable the Trackpad Mode:
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On the keyboard, press and hold the spacebar.
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The entire keyboard will turn into a trackpad.
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Slide your finger to move the cursor more precisely and select text.
This feature is perfect for anyone who often types on their iPhone and needs more control over their text.
6. App Clips for Instant App Use
If you don’t want to download a full app but need access to specific functionality, App Clips are a great option. App Clips let you access parts of an app without installing it completely, which is perfect for quick actions like paying for parking or renting a bike.
How to Use App Clips:
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Look for the App Clip code or NFC tag (usually in the form of a QR code).
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Scan the code with your iPhone’s camera.
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Open the App Clip to instantly access the feature without needing to download the full app.
App Clips save storage space while still providing convenient app features when you need them.
7. Hide Photos with the Hidden Album
If you want to keep some photos out of sight but still accessible, iOS allows you to hide photos within the Photos app. While these hidden photos are not completely invisible, they are moved to a less noticeable section in the app.
How to Hide Photos:
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Select the photo(s) you want to hide.
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Tap the Share button and then select Hide.
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The photo will be moved to the Hidden Album.
To view hidden photos, go to Albums > Hidden, where the hidden photos are stored.
8. Scan Documents with the Notes App
If you need to scan a document, you don’t need a third-party app. The Notes app has a built-in document scanner that lets you scan and save documents directly to your device.
How to Scan a Document:
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Open the Notes app.
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Create a new note and tap the camera icon.
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Select Scan Documents.
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Position your iPhone’s camera over the document, and it will automatically capture the image.
You can then crop, rotate, and save the scanned document directly within the Notes app.
9. Control Your iPhone with Siri Shortcuts
Siri Shortcuts can automate a variety of tasks on your iPhone, saving time and making your phone more responsive to your needs. Whether you want to set up shortcuts for your morning routine or control multiple settings with a single tap, Siri Shortcuts offers endless possibilities.
How to Set Up Siri Shortcuts:
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Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
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Tap All Shortcuts to explore and add new ones.
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You can also create custom shortcuts by tapping Create Shortcut.
Siri Shortcuts allow you to automate your iPhone’s behavior to fit your lifestyle perfectly.
10. iCloud Private Relay for Enhanced Privacy
iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature that masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, making your online activities more secure. It’s like a VPN, but built into iCloud for an extra layer of privacy when browsing the web.
How to Enable iCloud Private Relay:
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Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Private Relay.
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Toggle it on to activate the feature.
This feature is a great option if you’re concerned about online privacy while using public networks.
Conclusion
While iOS may seem simple at first glance, it’s packed with hidden features that can dramatically enhance your iPhone experience. From privacy features like iCloud Private Relay to time-saving tools like Siri Shortcuts and Back Tap, these lesser-known functions can make your iPhone more efficient, secure, and personalized. Give these features a try and discover just how much more your iPhone can do!