1. Background Noise Reduction
Did you know you can reduce background noise during phone calls? The accessibility feature hides this iPhone background noise option.
To activate it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Noise Cancellation.
It reduces ambient noise, making your calls sound crystal clear. It’s perfect for bustling environments where you need a little more clarity.
2. Back Tap for Quick Actions
One of the coolest iPhone tricks is the back tap feature. It allows you to double or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to trigger specific actions, such as taking screenshots, turning on the flashlight, or adjusting the volume.
You can enable this under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. It’s a game-changer when you need quick access to functions without opening your phone.
3. Hidden Trackpad in the Keyboard
Are you typing a long message and needing to correct something without dragging the cursor across the screen? Here’s an iPhone text trick you’ll love!
Long-press the spacebar, and the keyboard will turn into a trackpad, allowing you to move the cursor effortlessly.
4. Customizable Control Center
Don’t settle for the default Control Center settings. One of the secret iPhone settings many overlook is the ability to customize your Control Center with the tools you use most often.
Go to Settings > Control Center and drag your favorite tools to the top of the list.
5. Shake to Undo Typing
Typing errors happen to everyone, but there’s a quick solution. If you make a mistake while typing, shake your iPhone, and a pop-up will ask if you want to undo your last action.
This feature is handy for long emails, messages, or documents, saving you the hassle of manually deleting each text message. It’s a more playful iPhone text trick but a highly effective one.
6. Hidden Code Scanning App
QR codes are everywhere, from local shops to restaurant menus to event tickets. Instead of downloading a third-party app from the app store, your iPhone has a built-in code scanner.
Swipe down on your home screen, search for Code Scanner, and use it to scan QR codes. The app will open URLs, connect to Wi-Fi networks, or pull up product information instantly—no extra downloads required, making it a seamless addition to your daily use.
7. Measure Objects with Your Camera
The Measure app on your iPhone allows you to measure objects and spaces using augmented reality. It’s great for home projects or quick measurements when a ruler isn’t handy.
Open the Measure app and point your camera at the object you want to measure. The app will automatically calculate the dimensions and provide an estimate. It even includes a level tool, making it versatile for DIY tasks.
8. Emergency SOS
Emergency SOS is a life-saving feature that lets you quickly call emergency services. Press the side button five times rapidly or hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slide appears on the screen.
You can also set emergency contacts who will receive a message and your location. To customize it, go to Settings > Emergency SOS. It’s a safety feature everyone should activate and take advantage of.
9. Pin Important Messages
Long-press a conversation and click the pin option. Pinned messages stay at the top of your list for easy access, no matter how many new messages you receive. It prevents essential conversations from getting buried under new texts, helping you stay organized.
10. Flash Notifications
If you prefer visual cues over sound, enable the LED flash notification feature. You can turn it on under Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > LED Flash for Alerts.
When you receive a call or a message, the camera flash blinks, alerting you visually. This is an excellent feature for loud environments, people who are hard of hearing, or anyone tired of the usual Apple notifications.
11. Guided Access for Limiting Phone Use
If you’re handing your phone to someone else but don’t want them to access other apps, you can enable Guided Access. It restricts the iPhone to a single app and prevents users from switching to others.
Enable it under Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access, and activate it by triple-clicking the side button.
12. Text Replacement
Save time typing frequently used phrases by creating shortcuts. For example, you can set “omw” to expand to “On my way!” by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
This feature helps reduce repetitive typing and is ideal for emails, addresses, and phrases you use often.
13. Safari Auto-close Tabs
Do you have a habit of leaving dozens of tabs open in Safari? Your iPhone can help you clean up. You can set Safari to automatically close tabs after a day, a week, or a month.
To enable this, go to Settings > Safari > Close Tabs. It’s a quick way to keep your browser organized.
14. Find Your iPhone Even When It’s Off
Losing your iPhone can be stressful, but the Find My feature ensures you can still locate your device even when it’s turned off.
By enabling Find My Network under Settings > Apple ID > Find My, you’ll always be able to track your phone, making it harder for thieves to disappear with your device.
15. Set Custom Vibration Patterns
You can create customized vibration patterns for certain contacts instead of relying solely on default ringtones and vibrations. This way, you’ll know who’s calling or texting from the vibration.
To set this up, click Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone > Vibration, then tap Create New Vibration.
16. Use Two-finger Selection
If you need to delete or move multiple messages quickly, the iPhone has a lesser-known two-finger trick. In the Messages app (or Notes), you can swipe down with two fingers to select multiple items simultaneously.
This iPhone trick is perfect for organizing messages or files in bulk, reducing the time spent manually selecting each item.
17. Limit Your Social Media Time
If you spend too much time on social media apps, the iPhone’s Screen Time feature can help. You can set app limits to control your daily usage.
Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits, and add time restrictions for apps like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. This feature helps you stay productive and mindful of your screen time.
18. Remove Background from Images
The latest iOS update lets you quickly remove the background from images using the Photos app. Tap and hold the image (do not open it) in the Files app, then click on Quick Access > Remove Background.
The iPhone stores the original image with the background separately, while the one without is ready for further editing. It’s a handy tool for creating professional-looking pictures in seconds without third-party apps.
19. Ask Siri to Read Out to You
iPhone’s Siri is not just a voice assistant for quick tasks; it can also read text aloud. Whether it’s an article, a message, or an email, say, “Hey Siri, read this to me,” and Siri will take over.
Enable this feature by going into Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > and tapping Speak Screen. This trick is handy when you’re on the go or need hands-free assistance.
20. Identify Plants and Animals
Did you know your iPhone 15 or later models can help identify plants and animals? Open a photo or point your phone camera at the plant or animal you want to identify.
Then, a small info icon (i) will appear in the viewfinder. Tap the info icon; your phone will provide detailed information on the plant or animal.
21. Hide Photos in a Locked Album
For added privacy, you can hide photos in a locked album. To do this, open the Photos app, choose the photo, tap the more icon, and click Hide.
You can then lock this album using Face ID or a passcode by going to Settings > Photos and enabling Face ID for the hidden album. This way, you would be the only person to access those sensitive images.
22. Use Your iPhone as a Magnifying Glass
Do you need help to read small text on labels or documents? Your iPhone can act as a magnifying glass. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier and turn it on. You can now open the Magnifier app from your Home Screen or Control Center.
Using your camera, the Magnifier allows you to zoom in on small details, making it easier to read fine print or examine tiny objects.
23. Extend Your Phone’s Battery with Airplane Mode
Need to preserve battery life quickly? One effective iPhone hack is switching your phone to Airplane Mode when you’re in a low signal area or don’t need wireless connectivity. This mode prevents your device from constantly searching for a network and draining the battery. You can turn Airplane Mode on from the Control Center or Settings and save your battery percentage significantly.
24. Move Safari’s Address Bar to the Top of the Screen
With iOS 15, Safari’s address bar moved to the bottom of the screen by default, but if you’re more comfortable with it at the top, you can switch it back. Open Safari, tap the AA button in the search bar, and choose Show Top Address Bar. You can also enable this in Settings > Safari > Tabs > Single Tab.
25. Keep Track of Important Sounds Around You
The iPhone’s Sound Recognition feature can be a game-changer if you have difficulty hearing important sounds. It helps identify common sounds like doorbells, alarms, and sirens and sends notifications when they are detected.
To activate it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Sound Recognition and turn it on. You can then select which sounds you want your iPhone to recognize. This feature is handy for staying aware of your surroundings and ensuring you don’t miss critical alerts.
The secret iPhone settings and hacks you now know about are game-changers for both productivity and convenience. These iPhone text tricks, customizable features, and privacy enhancements ensure your device works smarter for you. From controlling background noise to unlocking the trackpad feature, you’re ready to make the most of your Apple device!
