Over the years, the iPhone's operating system has evolved into a rich, multi-layered platform. Apple introduces dozens of new capabilities with each iOS version, but many of them remain buried in menus or require specific actions to discover. Whether you're a long-time iPhone user or have recently switched from Android, these tips will help you get more out of your device.
The following tricks assume you have iOS 26 or later installed, though some may work on older versions as well. Let's dive into ten features that can save you time, enhance productivity, and protect your privacy.
Turn an App Into a Widget
Widgets have become a central part of the iPhone experience since iOS 14, but you don't have to go through the widget gallery to add one. A quick trick allows you to convert any app icon directly into a widget right from the Home Screen. Simply long press on an app icon – any app that supports widgets will show a small menu with previews of available widget sizes. Tap one of the squares to instantly replace the icon with a widget of that size. This works for both Apple and third-party apps. If you want to revert it back to the standard icon, long press again and select the icon with four squares in the top-left corner. This approach makes it easy to dynamically reorganize your Home Screen without diving into customization menus.
See Where You've Been
The Maps app keeps a detailed history of places you've visited, which can be helpful for recalling a great restaurant you found on a road trip or a store you visited while on vacation. To access this, open Maps, tap your profile picture or initials in the top right, select Places, and then choose Visited Places. Your history is organized by categories like Leisure, Shopping, and by city. You can scroll through your timeline and tap any location to see its details. If you want to clear your history, scroll to the bottom of the Visited Places screen and tap Clear. You can also control how long visits are kept: go to Settings > Maps > Location > Visited Places, and choose a retention period or turn off the feature entirely. This is also a useful way to spot patterns in your daily routine or to find places you visited but forgot to bookmark.
Set Custom Vibrations
Many iPhone users keep their phone on silent to avoid disturbances, but that doesn't mean you have to miss important alerts. You can assign distinct vibration patterns to individual contacts, so you know who's calling or texting without even looking at your screen. To set this up, open the Contacts app, select the person, tap Edit in the upper right corner, then tap Text Tone or Ringtone. On the next screen, tap Haptics, and then select Create New Vibration. You'll be presented with a canvas where you can tap and hold to create a custom rhythm. For example, you could create a short, sharp pattern for your spouse and a long, slow pattern for your boss. Once saved, that pattern plays whenever they contact you. This feature works for both calls and messages, and it's a great way to discreetly stay connected.
Customize Your Lock Screen Buttons
Since iOS 16, the Lock Screen has allowed you to replace the default Camera and Flashlight buttons with any Control Center control. This means you can put quick access to your favorite app, a Shortcut, or even a smart home device right on the Lock Screen. To customize, long press on the Lock Screen, then tap Customize if you're editing an existing wallpaper, or the + button to create a new one. Tap the – (minus) icon on the left or right side to remove a button, then tap the + (plus) icon to choose a new control. You can select from system controls like Calendar, Timer, Voice Memos, or third-party options if the developer has enabled it. This simple change can shave seconds off your daily routine – for instance, replacing the Flashlight with a task list or a quick note app.
Back Tap Gestures
Back Tap has been a hidden gem since iOS 14, but many users still overlook it. This feature turns the back of your iPhone into an extra button. You can assign actions to a double tap or a triple tap on the back of the device. To enable it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then scroll down to Back Tap. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap, and then pick an action from the list – options include taking a screenshot, opening Control Center, toggling the flashlight, launching Siri, or even running a custom Shortcut. For example, you could set a double tap to open your most-used app, or a triple tap to lock the screen. Because the gesture is performed on the rear glass, it works even when the phone is on a table. Experiment with different actions to find the combination that feels most natural to you.
Screenshot a Webpage
Taking a screenshot on an iPhone is straightforward – press the side button and volume up button simultaneously. But what if you want to capture an entire webpage or a long PDF? The default screenshot only grabs what's visible on screen. However, after you take a screenshot, tap the thumbnail that appears (if you have full-screen previews turned off) and you'll see an option at the top called Full Page. Selecting that expands the screenshot to cover the entire scrollable content. You can then save it as a PDF to the Files app or share it directly. This is invaluable for saving recipes, articles, or documentation that spans multiple screens. Note that this feature works in Safari and many other apps that support scrolling content.
Hide Apps
Not every app needs to be visible on your Home Screen. Maybe you have apps you rarely use or ones you'd prefer not to display prominently. iOS 26 offers two ways to hide apps. First, you can hide individual apps by long pressing their icon, selecting Remove App, then choosing Hide App (or an option that requires Face ID). This moves the app to the Hidden folder in the App Library, accessible only with authentication. Second, you can hide entire app pages. To do this, enter jiggle mode by long pressing on the Home Screen, then tap the dots at the bottom of the screen. You'll see all your app pages displayed as thumbnails; tap the circle below a page to hide it. Hidden pages don't appear in the Hidden folder, but the apps remain searchable via Spotlight and are still visible in their appropriate App Library categories. To unhide, repeat the process and tap the checkbox. This is a great way to declutter your Home Screen without deleting apps.
Quick Set a Timer
If you frequently use the Timer feature, adding it to Control Center gives you a much faster way to set it. First, open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on Face ID iPhones, or up from the bottom on older models). Tap the + button on the left side, then choose Add a Control. Scroll to find Timer and tap it to add to Control Center. Now, when you open Control Center, you'll see a timer icon. Long press it, and a slider appears that lets you quickly select any duration from 1 minute to 2 hours. After setting the time, tap Start. This eliminates the need to open the Clock app and navigate to the Timer tab. You can also customize the slider's default increments by adjusting in the Clock app's Timer settings. Combined with the Stop Playing option (next tip), this is perfect for bedtime or workout sessions.
Remove Photos Location Data
When sharing photos, you might inadvertently reveal your location through embedded metadata. iOS 26 provides two easy ways to strip location data before sending. In the Photos app, open an image, swipe up to see details, then tap the map or the location label. Select Adjust Location, and then choose No Location. Alternatively, when you tap the Share button on a photo, you'll see Options at the top of the share sheet. Tap Options and toggle off Location. You can also disable other metadata like date or caption. This ensures that the recipient receives only the image without any stored GPS coordinates. It's a good habit to check this before sharing photos of your home, workplace, or any sensitive location.
Use a Timer to Turn Off Media
Falling asleep to a podcast or music is common, but leaving it playing all night wastes battery and may disrupt sleep. The iPhone's Clock app has a hidden feature that lets you stop media after a set time. Open the Clock app, tap Timers, set the duration you want (e.g., 30 minutes), then tap When Timer Ends. Scroll down the list of sounds and select Stop Playing. Now, when you start your media and then start the timer, the music or podcast will automatically halt when the timer expires. This works with Apple Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks, and most third-party apps. It's also great for timed listening sessions during commutes or workouts. You can combine this with the Control Center quick timer for even faster setup – just ensure the timer's end action is set to Stop Playing.
Source: MacRumors News