Getting a new iPhone or updating to a new version of iOS is always exciting, but many of its best features remain hidden among menus and settings. Learn the tricks, hidden features, shortcuts, and key settings It makes the difference between using the mobile phone "as standard" or getting the most out of it like a true advanced user.
Throughout this guide you will find a very complete compilation with all the interesting features that are appearing in iOSFrom the camera and photos to battery life, privacy, accessibility, automations, and productivity, this guide is designed for both those who have just unboxed their first iPhone and those who have had it for years and want to discover hidden secrets they never knew existed.
Photo and Camera Tips: Get the Most Out of Your Images
The Photos app and the Camera are the heart of the iPhone for most users, so it makes sense to start here. Master albums, search, editing, and special modes It will save you a lot of time and allow you to achieve almost "professional" results.
Smart organization and tricks in the Photos app
On the main Photos tab you'll see your images grouped by days, months, and years, and you can zoom in by pinching with two fingers to change view and locate specific moments in seconds.
If you swipe up on any image, a text box will appear for Add a caption with contextas if you were writing on the back of a photograph on paper. It's ideal for remembering dates, people, or places without having to rely solely on memory, and for following tips on how send photos by WhatsApp without losing quality.
The Photos search engine is more powerful than it seems: It allows you to search by objects, people, pets, or scenes.You can type "dog", "cat", "beach" or even a specific breed and the system will detect related photos thanks to image recognition.
In Albums > People you can Create profiles for your contacts and your petsiOS detects repeated faces and allows you to name them; from there, you can see all the photos of that person or animal automatically grouped together.
Don't forget the For You tab: that's where they're generated Memories, highlights, and effects suggestionsFrom here you can review video montages, rescued old photos, and automatic adjustments that often greatly improve your images.
If you work with different formats, remember that HEIF photos from the iPhone can be easily convert to JPEG from the device itself using the Files app or by exporting from Photos, which is especially useful if you're going to share content with older devices or websites that only accept JPEGs, or if you want to transfer photos from mobile to computer.
Privacy and advanced editing of your photos
To protect sensitive content, you can go to the Hidden album in the Photos app, where The images are out of view of the usual film reel.They are only shown if you explicitly enable them, and on modern iOS devices, this album can be protected with Face ID or a passcode.
If you want even more privacy, it's possible. Save photos in password-protected NotesCreate a locked note, insert the image, and then it can only be accessed with Face ID, Touch ID, or a password. Ideal for personal documents or images you don't want to appear in Photos.
In case you regret aggressive editing, the Photos app lets you return to the original image at any time, while maintaining a basic history of changes. Editing is no longer an irreversible decision.
One particularly striking feature is the option to remove the background from one or more photosSelect several images in Photos, save them to a Files folder, reselect them there, and use the Remove Background option: you'll get cut-out subjects in seconds, ready for compositions, stickers, or presentations, or to refine later with... Photoshop AI.
Night Mode, ProRAW, ProRes and more camera tricks
In recent models (from iPhone 11 onwards) an icon appears indicating that the Night Mode has been activated to improve photos taken in low light.If you tap it, you can adjust how many seconds you want it to take to capture the scene, getting more detail at the cost of holding the phone more still. If you're interested in advanced night photography, check out these tricks for photographing the Northern Lights.
From Settings > Camera you can activate the grid to better compose your images using the rule of thirds and keep the horizon straightAdditionally, the system displays a yellow "level" line when you are taking a completely overhead photo or want to ensure that the plane is level.
The iPhone camera also serves as integrated QR code readerSimply point to the code and wait for the corresponding notification to appear, usually opening Safari or the necessary app without installing anything additional.
If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or later, you can enable the ProRAW format in Settings > Camera > Formats. This mode offers files with much more information for advanced editingHowever, they take up about 25 MB per photo, so it's best to activate it only when you need it.
On Pro models with ProRes video, it is possible record clips geared towards professional productionThese offer more room for color correction, although they consume a lot of space. It's advisable to use ample internal storage or record to an external SSD whenever possible.
The iPhone Pro also allows manual control of the macro modeIn Camera Settings you can disable automatic switching and decide when to activate that extremely close focus, avoiding annoying image jumps.
To lock focus, press and hold the area of the screen where you want to focus until the AE/AF lock appears. From there, you can Adjust the exposure by sliding up or down next to the yellow box, without losing focus.
If you want to shoot faster, you can use the physical volume buttons: Press volume up to take a photoOr press and hold it to record a QuickTake-style video. In Camera Settings, you can change this behavior so the button is used for burst shooting.
When you want to shoot in square format without having to crop afterwards, expand the options at the top of the camera interface and Choose the 1:1 format before taking the photoThat way it's ready for social media.
Visual customization: lock screen, icons, and widgets
iOS has been making a strong push for customization for several versions without breaking its classic aesthetic. Dynamic lock screens, translucent icons, and interactive widgets They allow you to make your iPhone much more your own without going crazy with a thousand menus.
Control center tailored to your preferences
Swiping in from the top right corner opens Control Center. It's now more flexible: you can Press and hold on an empty area or tap the + symbol to enter edit mode, move controls, delete them, or add new ones.
At the bottom, you'll see a list of more available controls: from accessibility shortcuts to a recorder, dark mode, sound recognition, and notes. It's possible Distribute these accesses across several "pages" within the Control Center itself to keep everything in order.
Lock screen: clock, backgrounds and buttons
If you press and hold the lock screen, you'll access the customization options. From there you can Change the font and size of the clock, as well as the color, the background and widgets located below the time.
The two bottom shortcuts (flashlight and camera by default) are also customizable: you can Delete one and add another shortcut that best suits your needs, such as Shortcuts, Translation, Document Scanner, etc.
Another new feature is the so-called overlay effect: when your background photo has elements that match the clock, the system can to make part of the subject overlap with the numbers to give a sense of depth. It can be enabled or disabled when editing the lock screen.
Background with 3D effect and space scenes
While setting up your new lock screen, you'll see a hexagon-shaped button. If you tap it, iOS can Generate a space scene from your photocreating a 3D effect that moves slightly when you tilt the phone.
That same effect can be reproduced directly from the Photos app: open an image, tap the hexagon icon, wait for the AI to analyze the scene, and Spatial Scene mode is activated. Simply move the iPhone to see how the image gains depthSomething interesting to show others, even though it's not a standard exportable format.
Translucent app icons in different sizes
On the home screen, press and hold an empty space and tap Edit at the top. From there, tapping Customize gives you access to various aesthetic options and you can enable translucent icons so that they blend in better with the background.
This mode allows you to choose between light or dark aspect and select large or small iconsWith a minimalist look and no solid colors, it's a quick way to change the aesthetics of your entire system without having to install third-party themes.
Widgets and “interactive widgets” on iOS
Widgets are small displays of information from different apps. You can have a typical weather widget to see information at a glance. temperature, location and current weather conditionsor a smart stack that rotates widgets according to the time of day and your habits.
Many third-party apps already include their own widgets, so it's worth checking out. Press and hold on the home screen, tap the + and browse the entire available catalogFrom there you choose size and content.
With recent versions of iOS, many widgets have become interactive: they no longer just display information, but allow mark tasks as completed, control playback, activate Home scenes, or manage reminders without entering the app.
If you want to go a step further, tools like Widgetsmith allow you to create highly customized widgets in terms of style, fonts, and content, adding a more creative touch to your home screen.
Hidden productivity and writing features
Beyond the typical apps, the iPhone can multiply your productivity if you know where to tap; tools like Trello, keyboard gestures, replaceable text, document scanner, and OCR They turn your mobile phone into a small pocket office.
Ultra-fast typing: gestures, selection, and replaceable text
When you're typing, you can select text faster with taps: Tap twice to select the last word and three times to select the entire paragraph.It's much faster than dragging the cursor by hand.
If you make a mistake while typing a long text, you have several shortcuts: by shaking your iPhone you can undo the text written or deletedAnd by sliding three fingers to the left or right on the screen you can undo or redo changes seamlessly.
To move the cursor precisely, hold down the space bar until the keyboard transforms into a virtual trackpad. This will allow you to Move the cursor through the text as if you were using a mouse., ideal for correcting specific words.
The Text Replacement feature in Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement lets you create shortcuts like “eml” that automatically expand to your full email address. You avoid always typing the same long phrasessignatures, addresses, or frequent messages.
One-handed keyboard and accessibility
If you have a large iPhone and small hands, you can activate the one-handed keyboard from Settings > General > Keyboard > One-Handed Keyboard. Here you choose left or right, so that All the keys are moved to one side for more comfortable typing with a single thumb.
Another quick way to switch is to press and hold the globe or emoji icon on the keyboard and select the one-handed keyboard option. To return to normal mode, simply select the center option. without inclination.
Text shortcuts and email shortcuts
In Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, you can create shortcuts for anything you type often: emails, phone numbers, postal addresses, or recurring repliesFor example, “addy” for your entire physical address or “greeting” for a complete email closing.
These shortcuts work in virtually all system apps, so You'll see how your response speed and typing comfort skyrocket.especially if you work a lot from your mobile phone.
Scan documents, OCR and Preview
The iPhone includes an excellent document scanner within several apps. In Notes, you can create a new note, tap Camera, and choose Scan Documents. You point it at the paper and the system crops, corrects perspective, and improves contrast automatically.
With the Preview app, available in recent versions, you have even more options: scan and save as PDF, fill out forms, sign documents, and combine multiple PDFs all in one, from your own mobile phone.
The Live Text feature lets your camera recognize text in real time. Point the Camera app at a sign, document, or card, and when the text icon appears, you can type it. copy, translate, call a number or open a website directly based on what you see on the screen.
Automations and Shortcuts: Let your iPhone work for you
The Shortcuts app is one of iOS's hidden gems. It allows you to chain actions from different apps and services. so that they run automatically with a touch or when a condition is met.
Useful automations you can create in seconds
With Shortcuts you can create workflows for almost anything. For example, it's very practical to create a shortcut that active Do Not Disturb for a specific time, such as a concentration or training session, and then turn it off only when a timer finishes.
You can also set up a shortcut that makes a GIF with the camera: when you run it, it will open the camera, take a burst of photos, and It will automatically create a shareable animated GIF. on social media or in messages.
Another classic is the shortcut to convert any file, image, or webpage to PDF. From the share menu, you choose the corresponding shortcut and You get a clean PDF without having to go through the computer, perfect for sending invoices or documents.
If you're a developer, content creator, or you like making tutorials, you can create a shortcut that places screenshots inside iPhone mockups automatically, preparing professional images for presentations, App Store listings, or guides.
Battery, consumption, and performance tips
One of the biggest concerns for any user is battery life. iOS includes smart saving modes, detailed statistics, and new AI-controlled profiles that help to extend those hours of use.
Low power mode and custom modes
From Settings > Battery, you can activate classic low power mode, which reduces background activity, brightness, and updates to save time. Additionally, you can combine it with Shortcut automations so that it activates, for example, when it reaches 20% battery or at certain times of the day.
Optimal load and limit at 80%
In the Battery and Charging settings you will find the Optimized Charging option, which learns your routines and It stops charging at around 80% until shortly before you're about to use your phone.reducing battery wear.
Furthermore, in recent models you can explicitly set a maximum charge limit of 80%. This option is ideal if Do you want to prioritize long-term battery health? about always having 100%.
AI-powered adaptive consumption mode
The latest versions of iOS integrate an adaptive consumption mode that uses artificial intelligence to Adjust performance and resources according to your contextIf it detects heavy usage that could drain the battery faster than normal, it adapts background processes and internal frequencies to extend battery life almost imperceptibly.
To check and adjust this function, go to Settings > Battery > Power consumption mode and activate the Adaptive power consumption option. It doesn't always come active by default.So it's worth reviewing this section.
Identify battery-guzzling apps and limit processes
In Settings > Battery, you'll see a detailed graph of your battery usage over the last 24 hours or 10 days. Below that, you'll find a list of the apps that are using the most power, allowing you to... quickly detect which app is draining the batteryeven in the background.
To reduce that usage, you can go to Settings > General > Background Refresh and turn off this option for apps that don't need to be always connected. Many services work perfectly fine without updating as long as you don't open themand you'll gain battery life and mobile data.
Security, privacy and data control
Apple has been committed to privacy for years, but many of its most powerful features are not immediately apparent. Review permissions, hide apps, and activate extra protection modes It's key to keeping your information under control.
Medical history on the lock screen
The Health app lets you set up a profile with your essential medical information: blood type, allergies, illnesses, medication, and emergency contacts. If you enable the View on Lock Screen option, Emergency services will be able to access this data without unlocking the mobile phone., something that can be vital.
To open this record, simply press the side button several times quickly and select the medical history option. Setting it up only takes a few minutes and can make all the difference in a critical situation.
Hide sensitive apps with Face ID
If you have apps you'd prefer to keep hidden from prying eyes, you can press and hold their icon and choose Require Face ID or Hide and Require Face ID. In the first case, the app remains visible, but It will not open without biometric verification.In the second case, it disappears from the desktop and is saved in a Hidden folder within the App Library, which is also protected.
Isolation mode and extreme privacy
In the Security and Privacy settings there is an isolation mode (Lockdown Mode) designed for people especially vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacksActivating it restricts certain functions such as complex attachments, links, previews, and some connections, reducing the attack surface.
Additionally, there's the Security Check section, useful in contexts of conflictive relationships or when you want to review which people or devices have access to your location, data, or accountsFrom here you can revoke shared permissions in bulk.
Managing permissions and background apps
In Settings > Privacy and security, there's a comprehensive panel to review which apps have access to Location, Contacts, Photos, Camera, Microphone, and other sensitive data. It's recommended to go into Location Services and put many apps in “When using the app” or even disable precise location., leaving you with only an approximate area.
In the case of Photos, you can limit access to only some specific images instead of giving permission to your entire galleryThe same applies to Contacts, which reduces the amount of information each service can access.
Smarter communication and calls
iOS has been adding very useful improvements to Phone, Messages, and FaceTime for Better manage who can contact you, how you receive their calls, and how you communicate in other languages..
Call filter with assistant and transcription
In the Phone app, you can activate a call filter for unknown numbers that works like a small assistant. When someone not in your contacts calls, the system... It asks the caller to state the reason for the call and transcribes it on the screen.allowing you to decide whether to answer or not.
This feature may confuse some people who are not used to it and think they are talking to an answering machine, but It is very effective at detecting spam and fraud. before hanging up.
Filters and improvements in Messages
In Settings > Apps > Messages, you can enable filters to prevent unknown senders from sending push notifications. However, you can allow exceptions such as two-step verification messagesMaintaining security while preventing your phone from constantly ringing. For advanced features, check the whatsapp tricks.
In addition, iMessage continues to evolve: now you can add Add custom backgrounds to your conversations, create polls, and see typing indicators in group chats.to know who is writing at any given time.
Simultaneous translation in calls and video calls
If you often speak to people in other languages, you can activate the real-time translation during callsOnce the call has started, tap the options and choose Real-time Translation, selecting the source and target languages. Siri will then display the translated text on the screen.
This feature also extends to FaceTime and Messages: you can View translated subtitles in video calls or automatically translate incoming text in a specific conversation by activating the option in the contact's profile.
Safari, Files, and Offline Work
The iPhone can also be a small work tool when you're away from your computer. Flexible navigation, local file saving, and tricks for downloading content They help you work more comfortably.
Safari's compact design and tabs
Safari offers a floating bar design that hides when you scroll to free up screen space. If you're not convinced, you can go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Tabs and choose between Compact design or classic Up/Down bars, whichever is most convenient for you.
Website icons on the home screen
If there are websites you visit frequently, you can save them as icons on your home screen. From Safari, on the website you want, tap Share and choose Add to Home Screen. You can rename the shortcut and an icon will be created just like any other app., launching that page in Safari.
Keep iCloud files locally
In the Files app, on the Browse tab > iCloud Drive, you can touch and hold any folder or file and choose Keep Downloaded. This way You keep a local copy for offline access.Something useful for presentations, important documents, or PDFs you might need while traveling.
Download multiple Safari visuals at once
Safari lets you drag and drop multiple images at once. Press and hold a photo until it detaches as a thumbnail, then, without lifting your finger, Use another finger to tap more imagesThey will be stacked on top of the first one.
Then you can swipe up to go to the home screen, open Photos or Files, and drop the thumbnails into an album or folder. All images will be saved at once, an ideal trick when you need many reference images or visual resources.
Sound, video and multimedia experience
Watching movies, listening to music, or playing games is another of the iPhone's great strengths. Adjust audio, avoid distracting noises, and take advantage of spatial sound It can completely change your experience.
Improving dialogue in movies and TV series
When watching a video, tap the screen to display the controls and enter the audio menu. From there, you can select the Enhance Dialogue option, with different levels. The voices gain volume and claritywhile the music and effects are balanced so as not to drown out what is being said.
Custom equalizer and spatial audio
In Settings > Music, you'll find an equalizer that lets you adjust the sound for genres like rock, jazz, classical, or boost bass. Choose the profile that best suits your headphones and preferences. get more out of your songs and playlists.
With compatible headphones (AirPods and some third-party ones), you can activate spatial audio, which creates a 3D surround sound sensation. In some cases it even adapts to the movement of your headmaking the experience more immersive.
Disable annoying system sounds
If the keyboard sound bothers you, go to Settings > Sound and haptics > Keyboard feedback and turn off Sound. While you're there, you can also turn off the screen lock sound. You'll still have haptic vibration if you want it, but without the constant "clicking". which is so annoying in quiet places.
Health, wellness, and on-the-go use
The iPhone has also become an ally in taking care of health and safety. Fall detection, sleep tracking, and adjustments to prevent dizziness are some examples.
Fall and emergency detection
On compatible models, fall detection uses internal sensors to detect a hard impact. If it detects something resembling a serious fall, it displays an alert, and if you don't respond, It can automatically call emergency services and share your locationThis is especially interesting for older people or those who engage in intense sports activities.
Sleep tracking and background sounds
From the Health app, you can set up a sleep plan with bedtimes and wake-up times, as well as reminders to wind down. iOS can detect your nighttime habits and display sleep statistics and trends to help you improve it.
In Accessibility you will find the Background Sounds function, which plays white noise, rain or other soft ambient sounds for to help you sleep, concentrate, or mask external noisesIt can be activated with a quick shortcut from the Control Center.
Reduce car sickness
If you get motion sickness while using your iPhone as a passenger, you can turn on Show Vehicle Motion Signals in Settings > Accessibility > Motion. The system will display dots on the screen that They help synchronize your vision with the car's movement.reducing the feeling of dizziness. In Automatic mode, it only activates when it detects that you are moving.
Games, creativity, and new iOS apps
The latest versions of iOS also focus on leisure and creativity, with specific apps for games, sports, and AI-powered image generation. If you enjoy gaming or creating visual content, there's a lot to learn here..
App Games: your entire catalog in one place
The Games app brings together all your recently installed and played titles, along with achievements, events, and access to Apple Arcade. From here You can launch any game without having to search for it in folders.Check your progress and challenge friends from the dedicated section.
Sports: live scores and widgets
Apple's Sports app is designed to let you follow leagues and competitions in soccer, basketball, tennis, F1, and various American sports. You can choose your favorite teams and see their upcoming matches, results, and standings. Additionally, you can add a widget to keep the bookmarks always visible. on the home screen or in the Control Center.
Genmojis, Playground, and AI-powered art
Playground is the app that lets you generate images and genmojis using local AI. You can combine two emojis or mix an emoji with a description to create custom characters and expressionsIt is possible to adjust attributes such as hairstyle, beard or artistic style (oil painting, anime, etc.).
From Playground you can also generate art from text descriptions, themes, or templates. Ideal for creating backgrounds, stickers, or simple illustrations to share on social networks or messages.
Extra settings that make a difference in everyday life
Beyond the big headlines, there are a good number of small adjustments that, once configured, They make using the iPhone on a daily basis much more convenient. and tailored to you.
Automatic lock and dark mode
In Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-lock, you can increase the time before the screen turns off automatically. If you're frustrated by it locking immediately while you're reading or checking something, Choose a longer time or even Never (although remember to lock it manually afterwards).
In that same menu, you can activate permanent or automatic Dark Mode based on sunrise and sunset. For many users, This mode reduces eye strain and makes the iPhone more comfortable to use. at night or indoors.
Do Not Disturb, Focus, and Screen Time
In Settings > Focus you can configure different profiles: Do Not Disturb, Work, Personal, Sleep, etc. Each one can have their own rules for notifications, home screens, and automatic replieswhich helps you disconnect at key moments or concentrate on important tasks.
Combined with Screen Time, you can set downtimes, usage limits per app, and daily reports that show how much time do you spend on each appIt's a very good way to gain control over your relationship with your mobile phone.
Change default apps and Siri voice
You're no longer tied to Safari and Mail if you don't want to be. In Settings > Apps > Default apps, you can choose. alternative browsers or email clients as default options for opening links or composing emails.
In Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Voice you can choose from several different voices for the assistant, some with different intonation and accent. The download may take a while, but it makes a big difference to the experience of using Siri..
Notifications on the lock screen
By default, messages are hidden until you unlock them. If you find this inconvenient, you can choose Always or Never in Settings > Notifications > Show previews. You decide whether you want to see the message content directly or keep it hidden. even with the iPhone unlocked.
With all these tricks, hidden features and advanced settings, your iPhone goes from being "just another mobile phone" to becoming an extremely flexible tool adapted to you, from the camera and battery to privacy, health, work and leisure. Taking the time to configure everything you've seen here is well worth it.Because from that moment on, the phone will do much more for you with less effort on your part.
