Apple’s iOS operating system is highly regarded for its modern visual aesthetics and ease of use, but behind the surface there is an entire world of unseen features that few users will ever realise are available to them; whether they have been using iPhone for two weeks or two years unlocking the lesser-known functionality of the Apple ecosystem can help increase your productivity, privacy and overall experience.
This article discusses some practical examples of exactly how you can unlock some of the hidden features available to you on your iOS device; all provided in an easily usable format making it simple for all users to start enjoying today.
Advanced Text and Typing Options
Transform Your Keyboard Into a Trackpad
Typing on a small screen can be annoying as you have to continually move the cursor to enter text at the exact position desired; fortunately, the iOS platform includes a hidden track pad function.
All you have to do is place your finger on the space bar, hold it down and the keyboard will turn into the equivalent of a track pad; and you can use your finger to move the cursor around and place it at your chosen position. This is incredibly useful when editing lengthy messages or documents.
Palm-inducing Gesture for Quick Undo
If you make an error while typing, the standard way to rectify this mistake is to press the delete key. However, instead of using this method, there is an easier way to perform this task through gesture control.
Using three fingers, swipe left to erase typing, and swipe right to recover it. You can use this motion in many apps and makes it quicker and easier to edit your work.
Text replacement shortcuts
If you use the same phrase, e-mail or address often enough, you’re able to set up shortcuts to use instead of typing them each time.
Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement. After you create a new phrase, it will automatically populate under the assigned shortcut each time. For example, typing “addr” would automatically produce your complete address.
Hidden Screenshot and Screen Recording Features
Take Full Page Screenshots
If you’re using Safari, you can grab a whole website as opposed to just what you see.
Take the screenshot, touch the photo you just took and select Full Page at the top of the screen. Then you can save it as a PDF. This is especially helpful when saving articles, receipts, and long documents.
Take Screen Recordings with Sound
You can use screen recordings just for pictures; you can record pictures with sound.
To do this, open the Control Center and press and hold on your screen recording button until a pop up appears. Turn the microphone on and now you’ll able to use the screen recording for a tutorial or a voiceover or a walkthrough of another app.
Advanced Privacy Control
App Tracking Transparency
iOS provides you with the ability to restrict tracking of your movements across other apps and websites to the program of your choosing.
To disable or control app tracking requests, select ‘Settings’, then ‘Privacy & Security’, and finally ‘Tracking’.
Hide My Email
allows iCloud+ to give you random email addresses that will forward to your actual inbox.
This feature will help keep your real email address safe from spam and leaks of personal or sensitive information, especially if you are using a service for the first time.
Instead of allowing apps access to your true location, you can use roughly the same geolocation information by simply toggling off the Precise Location option.
This can be very helpful when allowing apps access to your location when no exact location is needed.
Using Powerful Accessibility Features on Your iPhone
Back Tap
One of the coolest hidden features is called Back Tap.
To see this feature, select ‘Settings’, then ‘Accessibility’, then ‘Touch’ and then ‘Back Tap’.
This will allow you to assign various actions to a double or triple tap on the back of your iPhone, such as taking a screenshot, launching the camera, or opening an app.
Live Text in Photos
iOS recognizes the text within photos, allowing interaction with that text.
If you find text in a photo, click on the text icon and copy, translate or search for it. This is useful when taking a photo of notes, signs, or other documents you may want later.
The Magnifier
Your iPhone is able to function as a magnifying device for other items.
To use the Magnifier in iPhone, go to Settings > Accessibility and turn on Magnifier which allows you to use your iPhone’s camera and zoom on something, adjust the brightness, and also use filters to improve visibility of the object you’re looking at.
Use the Camera to Edit Your Photos
If you find that you don’t always get the perfect picture when taking a picture, you can always make changes to several key settings after taking the picture in order to create an image that matches your idea of what you thought would look best.
To edit the settings of a photo you have already taken, tap the photo you would like to edit and select “Edit” and you’ll be given the option to change many key settings including exposure, brightness, contrast and much more. If the photo that was taken was a Live Photo, you can also change the key frame in that live photo.
Scan Documents from Notes
When you open a note in Notes, you can scan a document from opened note.
To scan a document, tap the camera icon at the top of the opened note and select the “Scan Document” option. Once you tap that option the iPhone will automatically detect the edges of the document, provide you with a clear picture of the document, and save the scanned document as a PDF.
Copy Edits from One Photo to Another
After you edit one photo, you can copy the edited settings that you created for that photo onto as many other pictures as you want.
After you edit a photo, tap the three dots on the top right of the screen and tap “Copy Edits” and then paste the edited settings onto another picture. Creating the same types of look across many images.
Multitasking & Productivity Tools
Drag & Drop Between Applications
You are able to drag text, pictures, and files from one app to another with ease.
To make a piece of artwork “lift,” use one finger to select it and then use another finger to change applications and drop it where you want. This feature is primarily available on newer iPhone models and is extremely beneficial when multitasking.
Search for Anything Using Spotlight
Spotlight can be activated by swiping down on the Home screen.
You can find applications, contacts, messages, files, and perform calculations and conversions all from one place. You’ll save time when you don’t have to jump into multiple applications.
Quick Note from Anywhere
Writing Quick Notes are simple and quick.
You can create a Quick Note by swiping up from the bottom right corner (or performing a Back Tap if you’ve set it up) and the Floating window will display your Quick Note. This allows for quick note taking without having to stop what you are doing in order to write a note.
New Features in Safari
Tab Groups
If you are someone who has many tabs open at once, then Tab Groups can help keep you organized.
To create a Tab Group, open Safari, tap the Tab Group icon, and create a new Tab Group. You can organize your tabs by type, project, or topic, making it easier to navigate the internet.
Reader Mode for Easier Reading
Reader Mode will take away all advertisements and other distractions from a webpage.
To read a webpage using Safari’s Reader function, tap the “AA” icon in the address bar and select “Show Reader.” The Reader will give you a much simpler, easy-to-read version of what you’re looking at.
Extensions on iOS
Just like you can on your desktop, you can now use extensions in Safari on your iPhone. To manage your extensions, go to Settings → Safari → Extensions. You can add things like ad-blockers and grammar tools to up your browsing experience.
Low Power Mode Automation
You don’t have to turn Low Power Mode on manually. You can set it up to turn on automatically by using the Shortcuts app. When your battery percentage drops below what you decide to set it at, Low Power Mode will automatically turn on, so you will not forget to conserve battery life.
Battery Usage
To see how much battery each app is using, go to Settings → Battery. You will see how much battery is being used by each app. This will help you identify which apps are using the most battery so you can change your usage habits.
Background App Refresh Control
Not all apps need to refresh in the background. To prevent apps from refreshing when you don’t need them to, go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh and turn off apps that you do not need refreshing in the background. By doing this, you will improve your battery life and performance.
The Hidden Communication Features
Edit and Unsending of Messages
In the Messages app, you are now able to edit or unsend a message after you have sent.
To access these options just press and hold down on the message, which is especially beneficial for fixing typos or sending the wrong message.
Pinning Important Conversations
You can now pin your conversations at the top of your Messages application.
Simply press and hold down on the conversation and tap “Pin”. This will keep your most important conversations right at your fingertips.
Silencing Unknown Callers by Reducing Phone Spam
Silencing unknown callers is another means of reducing spam calls.
Go to Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. All unknown callers will go directly to voicemail without bothering you.
Customization Features That You May Not Have Known About
Focus Modes
The Focus Modes allow you to customize how and when you will receive notifications based upon your activity.
You are able to create several different Focus Modes for Work, Sleep and Personal so that only specific apps and/or contacts will notify you during that time frame.
Lock Screen Customization
You now have the ability to customize your lock screen with different widgets, different fonts and even different wallpapers.
To edit your lock screen just press and hold down on it, and you may also link different lock screens with a specific Focus Mode.
App Library Arrangement
Your app library is available if you swipe left past the last page of your home screen.
Once you access your app library, your apps are organized into categories, making it easy for you to locate apps quickly.
Summary
iOS includes numerous features that go beyond what most people think they can do on an iDevice. Some of these tools are hidden, but many of them help with saving time, added privacy, and easier completion of day-to-day tasks. The only thing you will need to do regarding these tools is to find out where they are located.
You can change the way you are using your iDevice by taking advantage of features such as Back Tap, Live Text, Tab Groups, and enhanced privacy settings. All of these tools can help in varying degrees based on whether you want to increase productivity, increase your level of security, or just have a more enjoyable experience with your iDevice.
The best way for you to become proficient in using your I Device is to experiment with it. Look through your settings to see what is available, try different hand gestures and other things, and above all else, do not be afraid to experiment. You will likely find one of your new favorite features this way.
