iPhone: 20 Genius Tricks You Didn’t Know

The iPhone is more than just a smartphone; it is an ecosystem that combines design, simplicity, and extraordinary power. Many users, however, use only a fraction of its real capabilities. There are numerous hidden functions and shortcuts designed by Apple to make the user experience faster, more intuitive, and personalized. Knowing these secrets means transforming an already excellent device into a tool perfectly modeled on your habits, combining the tradition of a clean interface with the innovation of cutting-edge features.

This article reveals 20 of the lesser-known tricks, designed to optimize productivity, improve media management, and strengthen your privacy. From scanning text on the fly to automating repetitive actions, every tip is a small step towards completely mastering your device. Get ready to discover features that will change the way you interact with your iPhone, making every daily operation simpler and more efficient.

Productivity and Text at Your Fingertips

Efficiency often comes from small gestures that, when added up, save precious time. iOS integrates powerful tools for managing text and daily tasks, often hidden behind simple touches.

1. Quick Document and Text Scanning

The Notes app hides a powerful scanner. By tapping the camera icon inside a note, you can select “Scan Documents”. The iPhone will automatically detect the edges of the paper, correct it, and save it as a PDF. Additionally, the Live Text feature allows you to frame any text with the camera to copy, translate, or search for it online instantly.

2. Undo and Redo with a Shake

Did you accidentally delete an important paragraph? No need to look for the “undo” button. Just shake the iPhone slightly to bring up a window asking if you want to undo the last action. Shaking it again will allow you to redo what was deleted. A simple gesture that works in many system apps like Mail, Messages, and Notes.

3. Drag and Drop Between Apps

Perhaps not everyone knows that it is possible to drag photos, text, files, and links from one app to another. Hold down on an image in Safari, for example. While holding it, use another finger to open the Mail app and drop the image directly into the body of a new email. This trick revolutionizes multitasking, making it more fluid and intuitive.

4. The Keyboard Becomes a Trackpad

Editing text can be frustrating, especially when trying to place the cursor in a precise spot. By holding down the spacebar, the keyboard will transform into a trackpad. It will then be possible to move the cursor with millimeter precision, without ever lifting your fingers from the screen.

Customization and User Interface

Making the iPhone truly “yours” goes beyond choosing a wallpaper. iOS offers advanced options to customize the interface and automate actions, adapting the device to your lifestyle.

5. Back Tap for Quick Actions

One of the most versatile accessibility features is Back Tap. By going to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap, you can assign an action to a double or triple tap on the back of the iPhone. You can, for example, launch the camera, take a screenshot, turn on the flashlight, or even run a custom Shortcut.

6. Customize Vibrations for Contacts

Want to know who is calling you without even looking at the screen? It is possible to create custom vibration patterns for each contact. In Contacts, select a person, tap “Edit” and go to “Ringtone”. Here you will find the “Vibration” option, which allows you to create a new vibration rhythm by tapping the screen. A discreet and brilliant way to recognize important calls.

7. Hide Your Most Private Photos

We all have photos we prefer to keep to ourselves. From the Photos app, you can select one or more images, tap the share menu, and choose “Hide”. The photos will disappear from the main library and be moved to a “Hidden” album, which can itself be protected with Face ID or Touch ID for total privacy.

8. Sleep Mode for Better Rest

The Sleep feature in the Health app is not just an alarm clock. It allows you to schedule a bedtime and a wake-up time, automatically activating “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications and calls. It helps establish a regular sleep routine, contributing to better sleep quality.

Camera and Media Management

The iPhone camera is a powerful tool, but many of its most interesting features are not immediately visible. Learning to use them can make the difference between a good photo and an exceptional shot.

9. Record a Video While Taking a Photo

With the QuickTake feature, you no longer have to choose between taking a photo or a video. While in Photo mode, hold down the shutter button to start recording a video. Releasing it will stop the recording. If you drag it to the right onto the lock icon, recording will continue without having to hold it down.

10. Copy Edits from One Photo to Another

If you found the perfect balance of colors and lighting for a photo and want to apply it to a whole series of similar shots, you don’t have to repeat every edit manually. Open the edited photo, tap the three dots in the top right, and select “Copy Edits”. Then, open another photo (or select multiple images) and choose “Paste Edits” to instantly apply the same style.

11. Use the Volume Button to Shoot

Taking a selfie or a photo with one hand can be awkward using the on-screen button. A trick as simple as it is effective is to use the volume buttons to shoot. It works for both photos and starting/stopping video recording, offering a more stable and natural grip.

12. Laundry Symbol Recognition

A surprisingly useful feature of Live Text is the recognition of symbols on clothing labels. Just take a photo of the label and the iPhone will not only recognize the symbols but also provide a detailed explanation on how to wash and treat the garment. A little help to avoid laundry disasters.

Hidden Features and Useful Tips

Beyond the major innovations, iOS is studded with small gems that, once discovered, become indispensable. Here are some tricks that make the most of the system’s less obvious potential.

13. Siri Reads Web Pages

If you are busy and cannot read an article, you can ask Siri to do it for you. Open a web page in Safari and activate Reader mode (the “aA” icon in the address bar). From here, tap “Listen to Page” and the iPhone will start reading the text with a natural voice. You can also adjust the reading speed, turning any article into a personal podcast.

14. Share Wi-Fi Password with a Tap

When a friend asks for the Wi-Fi password, there is no need to look for it and dictate it. If you both have an iPhone, just have your friend try to connect to your network. A notification will appear on your device asking if you want to share the password. With a single tap, their iPhone will connect automatically.

15. Use Spotlight as a Universal Converter

Spotlight search (swiping down from the Home screen) is much more than just a search engine for apps and contacts. You can use it for quick currency conversions (e.g., “100 EUR in USD”), units of measurement (“5 miles in km”), or to perform math calculations on the fly, without even opening the calculator.

16. Delete the Last Digit in Calculator

A common mistake in the Calculator app is having to restart a long calculation because you typed a wrong number. To delete the last digit entered, just swipe right or left on the area where the numbers appear. Each swipe deletes one digit, saving the calculation and your patience.

17. Sound Recognition for Important Alerts

Designed for accessibility, the Sound Recognition feature is useful for everyone. In Settings > Accessibility, the iPhone can be set to listen for specific sounds, such as a crying baby, a fire alarm, a doorbell, or a barking dog, and send a visual notification when it detects them.

18. Quick Measurements with the Measure App

The Measure app uses augmented reality to transform your iPhone into a virtual tape measure. It is surprisingly accurate for quick measurements of objects and distances. Additionally, when it detects a rectangular shape, like a picture frame or a box, it automatically calculates the dimensions and area. It also includes a digital level, useful for hanging a picture straight.

19. Set an 80% Charging Limit

To preserve battery health in the long run, it is advisable not to always charge it to 100%. Newer iPhone models allow you to set a charging limit of 80%. By going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging > Charging Optimization, you can choose “80% Limit” to reduce battery aging.

20. Emergency Bypass for Priority Contacts

There is an option that allows calls from important people to bypass Silent or “Do Not Disturb” mode. In Contacts, edit a person’s card, go to “Ringtone” and enable “Emergency Bypass”. This feature ensures that a call from a family member or priority contact is always heard, even when the phone is silenced. It is one of those settings you hope never to use, but is essential to have active.

Conclusion

Mastering the iPhone means not only knowing its basic functions but exploring its hidden corners to adapt it perfectly to your needs. The tricks presented in this article demonstrate how Apple has integrated intelligent solutions for productivity, creativity, and security, often accessible with a simple gesture or a change in settings. From turning the keyboard into a trackpad to having Siri read your articles, every tip is designed to save you time and make daily use of the device more pleasant and efficient. Dedicating a few minutes to experimenting with these features is an investment that pays off, unlocking the true potential of a tool that continues to define the combination of tradition and technological innovation. To delve deeper, you might find our guide on how to optimize and speed up your smartphone or how to increase your iPhone battery life useful.

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