23 iPhone Secrets That Will Change Your Life

If you own an iPhone, you probably know that it is a powerful device that can do many things. But did you know that there are some hidden features and tricks that can make your iPhone even more useful and fun? In this article, we will reveal 23 iPhone secrets that will change your life. Whether you want to boost your productivity, creativity, or well-being, these tips will help you get the most out of your iPhone.

Productivity Tips

1. Use the hidden trackpad. Did you know that the virtual keyboard has a hidden trackpad? Simply long press the space bar and the keyboard will turn blank and morph into a trackpad, allowing you to quickly move the cursor on the screen through the text you’ve written. You can also tap the trackpad with another finger to select text.
2. Customize your Control Center. The Control Center is a handy feature that lets you access some frequently used settings and features with a swipe. But you can make it even more useful by customizing it to include the shortcuts you want. Go to Settings > Control Center, then tap the ‘+’ icon next to the features you want to add, such as Music Recognition, Screen Recording, or Low Power Mode.
3. Use Back Tap for extra iPhone controls. Back Tap is an accessibility feature that lets you assign an action to be triggered when you double-tap or triple-tap the back of your iPhone. You can use it to launch a specific app, invoke Control Center, turn Rotation Lock on/off, activate Zoom, bring up the Camera, or even trigger a shortcut. To assign an action to a double-tap or triple-tap, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap, then select the action from the list.
4. Drag the volume. When adjusting your iPhone’s volume, you can press the volume buttons repeatedly or use the on-screen slider. But there is a faster and more precise way to do it. Just press the volume button once, then drag the on-screen slider with your finger. This way, you can control the volume with more granularity and ease.
5. Use Siri to create reminders, timers, and alarms. Siri is a smart assistant that can help you with many tasks. One of the most useful things you can do with Siri is to create reminders, timers, and alarms with your voice. For example, you can say “Hey Siri, remind me to call mom tomorrow at 10 a.m.”, “Hey Siri, set a timer for 15 minutes”, or “Hey Siri, wake me up at 7 a.m.”.

Creativity Tips

6. Use Freeform to brainstorm and collaborate. Freeform is a new app that comes with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Monterey. It is a powerful tool for creative brainstorming and collaboration. You can use it to organize and visually lay out content on a flexible canvas, add a wide range of files and preview them inline, and invite others to work on a board together. You can also collaborate with others while on a FaceTime call. Freeform boards are stored in iCloud, so you can access them across devices.
7. Use the Photos app to edit and enhance your images. The Photos app on your iPhone is not just a place to store and view your photos. It is also a powerful photo editor that lets you crop, rotate, adjust, filter, and retouch your images. You can also use the Markup tool to draw, add text, and sign documents. To edit a photo, just tap the Edit button in the top right corner of the screen, then use the tools at the bottom to make your changes.
8. Use GarageBand to create and record music. GarageBand is a free app that turns your iPhone into a mobile music studio. You can use it to create and record music using virtual instruments, loops, and effects. You can also connect a real instrument or a microphone and record your performance. GarageBand supports multi-track recording, editing, and mixing, and lets you share your songs with others.
9. Use Clips to make fun videos. Clips is a free app that lets you make fun and creative videos with your iPhone. You can use it to record video clips, add filters, stickers, emojis, text, and music, and stitch them together into a video. You can also use Live Titles to add captions to your video using your voice. Clips lets you share your videos with your friends and family via Messages, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
10. Use iMovie to edit and produce movies. iMovie is a free app that lets you edit and produce movies with your iPhone. You can use it to trim, split, crop, rotate, and rearrange your video clips, add transitions, titles, and sound effects, and apply filters and themes. You can also use the Trailer feature to create a Hollywood-style movie trailer with your footage. iMovie lets you export and share your movies in HD or 4K resolution.

Well-being Tips

11. Use the Health app to track your mental well-being. The Health app in iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, and the Mindfulness app in watchOS 10, let you track your mental well-being by logging your mood and emotions. You can use them to reflect on your state of mind, see valuable insights, and access assessments and resources. You can also set up reminders and periodic questionnaires to help you monitor your mental well-being.
12. Use the Screen Time feature to manage your device usage. Screen Time is a feature that lets you see how much time you spend on your iPhone, what apps you use, and how many notifications you receive. You can use it to set limits on specific apps or categories, schedule downtime, and block inappropriate content. You can also use Screen Time to manage your family’s device usage and set parental controls.
13. Use the Bedtime feature to improve your sleep quality. Bedtime is a feature that helps you establish a regular sleep schedule and track your sleep patterns. You can use it to set a bedtime and a wake-up time, and get a gentle reminder when it’s time to go to bed. You can also choose a soothing sound to play while you fall asleep and a gentle alarm to wake you up. Bedtime also records your sleep duration and quality, and shows you a graph of your sleep history.
14. Use the Breathe app to practice mindfulness. The Breathe app on your Apple Watch is a simple and effective way to practice mindfulness and reduce stress. It guides you through a series of deep breaths, and provides haptic feedback to help you focus. You can use it anytime you need a moment of calm, or set up reminders to breathe throughout the day. The Breathe app also records your heart rate and shows you a summary of your session.
15. Use the Fitness app to track your activity and workouts. The Fitness app on your iPhone and Apple Watch is a comprehensive tool for tracking your activity and workouts. It shows you how much you move, exercise, and stand each day, and lets you set and achieve your goals. It also lets you choose from a variety of workouts, such as running, cycling, yoga, and HIIT, and records your calories, distance, heart rate, and more. You can also share your activity and compete with your friends.

Bonus Tips

16. Use the Camera app to scan QR codes. QR codes are a convenient way to access information, websites, and services. You don’t need a separate app to scan them with your iPhone. You can just use the Camera app and point it at the QR code. The app will automatically recognize the code and show you a notification with the relevant action, such as opening a link, joining a Wi-Fi network, or adding a contact.
17. Use the Wallet app to store and use your cards and passes. The Wallet app on your iPhone lets you store and use your credit, debit, prepaid, loyalty, and transit cards, as well as tickets, coupons, boarding passes, and more. You can use them with Apple Pay to make secure and contactless payments, or scan them at the point of service. You can also add cards and passes from other apps, such as Starbucks, Uber, and Ticketmaster.
18. Use the Shortcuts app to automate tasks and workflows. Shortcuts is a powerful app that lets you automate tasks and workflows on your iPhone. You can use it to create custom shortcuts that perform a series of actions with a single tap or voice command. For example, you can create a shortcut that plays your favorite playlist, sets a timer, and turns on Do Not Disturb mode. You can also use the Gallery to browse and use hundreds of pre-made shortcuts for various apps and services.
19. Use the Translate app to communicate in different languages. Translate is a new app that comes with iOS 17. It is a handy tool for communicating in different languages. You can use it to translate text or speech between 12 languages, such as English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic. You can also use the Conversation mode to have a natural and fluid dialogue with someone who speaks a different language. The app works offline, so you don’t need an internet connection to use it.
20. Use the Find My app to locate your devices and friends. The Find My app on your iPhone lets you locate your devices and friends. You can use it to see the location of your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and other Apple devices, and make them play a sound, display a message, or erase them remotely. You can also use it to share your location with your friends