Your iPhone is packed with hidden features and settings that can enhance your user experience and make everyday tasks easier. From customization options to productivity boosts, knowing how to unlock these hidden features can help you get the most out of your device. Here’s how to uncover and utilize some of the lesser-known features on your iPhone.

Access the Hidden Trackpad

One of the iPhone’s hidden gems is its trackpad feature, which can make text editing much smoother. To access it, press and hold the space bar on your keyboard. This action turns the keyboard into a trackpad, allowing you to move the cursor with greater precision and select text more accurately. It’s a handy tool for writing and editing text without the usual hassle.

Back Tap is a feature that allows you to perform actions by tapping the back of your iPhone. To enable it, go to Settings, then Accessibility, and select Touch. Scroll down to Back Tap and choose your desired actions for double-tap and triple-tap gestures. You can assign tasks like taking a screenshot, opening the Control Center, or launching a specific app.

Discover Hidden Camera Features

Your iPhone camera app contains several hidden features that can enhance your photography. For instance, you can use the Live Photos feature to capture motion and sound before and after you take a photo. Simply tap the Live Photos icon (which looks like a series of concentric circles) to enable it. Additionally, you can access Burst Mode by holding down the shutter button, which captures multiple photos in quick succession.

Control Center provides quick access to essential settings, but you can customize it to better suit your needs. To do this, go to Settings, then Control Center, and select Customize Controls. Here, you can add or remove shortcuts for features like Screen Recording, Low Power Mode, and Night Shift. This customization allows you to tailor Control Center to the settings you use most frequently.

Siri Shortcuts enable you to automate tasks and create custom voice commands for frequently used actions. To set up Shortcuts, open the Shortcuts app and explore the Gallery to find pre-made shortcuts or create your own. For example, you can create a shortcut that sends a text message to a specific person when you say a certain phrase, or one that automates your morning routine.

Take Advantage of Hidden Widgets

Widgets on iPhone offer a way to view information at a glance without opening apps. To add or customize widgets, swipe right on your Home Screen to access the Today View, then scroll to the bottom and tap Edit. Here, you can add widgets for apps like Weather, Calendar, and Notes, or customize existing ones to display the information you find most useful.

Dark Mode is a feature that changes the appearance of your iPhone’s interface to reduce eye strain and save battery life on OLED screens. To enable it, go to Settings, then Display & Brightness, and select Dark under the Appearance section. You can also set Dark Mode to turn on automatically based on the time of day by choosing the Automatic option.

Safari on iPhone includes several hidden features that can enhance your browsing experience. For instance, you can enable Reader View to remove ads and distractions from articles by tapping the Reader icon in the address bar. Additionally, you can use Private Browsing mode to keep your browsing history private by opening a new private tab through the Tabs button.

Manage App Permissions

iOS allows you to control which apps have access to certain features and data on your device. To manage app permissions, go to Settings, then Privacy, and select the category you want to review, such as Location Services or Camera. Here, you can see which apps have requested access and adjust permissions as needed.

Accessibility features on iPhone go beyond assisting those with disabilities and can provide useful tools for all users. Go to Settings, then Accessibility to explore features like Magnifier, which turns your iPhone into a digital magnifying glass, and VoiceOver, which reads out screen content for a hands-free experience.

Unlocking hidden features on your iPhone can significantly enhance your user experience by providing additional functionality and customization options. By exploring features such as the hidden trackpad, Back Tap, and Siri Shortcuts, and customizing settings in Control Center and Accessibility, you can make your iPhone more efficient and tailored to your needs. Dive into these hidden features to fully unlock the potential of your iPhone and enjoy a more personalized and productive device.