Unlock the Full Potential of Your iPhone

Apple packs an enormous amount of functionality into iOS, but many features are tucked away in menus or require a specific gesture to discover. Here are 15 genuinely useful features worth knowing about.

1. Back Tap

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap and assign an action to a double or triple tap on the back of your iPhone. You can trigger a screenshot, open Control Center, or even run a Shortcut — all with a tap on the back of the device.

2. Custom App Icon Shortcuts

Use the Shortcuts app to create home screen icons that launch apps with custom images and names. Great for personalizing your home screen without third-party apps.

3. Drag and Drop Text Between Apps

Select text in one app, start dragging it, then use another finger to navigate to a different app, and drop it in. Works across Messages, Notes, Mail, and more.

4. Swipe Keyboard Typing

Instead of tapping individual keys, slide your finger across the keyboard without lifting it to form words. Enable it under Settings → General → Keyboard → Slide to Type.

5. One-Handed Keyboard

Press and hold the emoji or globe icon on the keyboard, then select the left- or right-hand keyboard icon. The entire keyboard shifts to one side for easier one-handed typing.

6. Undo with a Shake

Made a typo or accidentally deleted text? Shake your iPhone to trigger an undo prompt — no need to hunt for an undo button.

7. Long-Press the Space Bar to Move the Cursor

Press and hold the spacebar to turn the keyboard into a trackpad. Slide your thumb to position the text cursor precisely — far easier than trying to tap exactly where you want it.

8. Scan Documents Directly in Notes

Open the Notes app, create or open a note, tap the camera icon, and choose Scan Documents. Your iPhone will automatically detect document edges and save a clean, cropped scan.

9. Schedule Focus Modes

Under Settings → Focus, you can create custom Focus modes and schedule them to activate automatically at certain times or locations — useful for work, sleep, and personal time.

10. Live Text in Photos

Open any photo containing text and tap the Live Text icon (the square with lines) in the bottom right. iOS will recognize and let you copy, translate, or search any text visible in the image.

11. Measure App for Quick Measurements

The built-in Measure app uses augmented reality to measure real-world objects. It's surprisingly accurate for quick measurements and even automatically detects rectangles.

12. Pinch to Zoom in Any App

Beyond photos, you can use Accessibility's Zoom feature (Settings → Accessibility → Zoom) to magnify any part of the screen at any time with a three-finger double-tap.

13. Emergency SOS via Power Button

Pressing the side button five times rapidly (or holding the side button and a volume button) initiates an Emergency SOS call. Make sure your Medical ID is filled out under the Health app for first responders.

14. Customize Your Lock Screen Widgets

Long-press your Lock Screen and tap Customize to add widgets from various apps — weather, fitness rings, calendar events, and more — directly on your Lock Screen.

15. Use Siri Offline

Many Siri requests can be handled entirely on your device without an internet connection. Setting timers, opening apps, and adjusting settings all work offline thanks to on-device processing.

Keep Exploring

iOS is updated regularly, and each version brings new features. Make it a habit to browse Settings → General → iPhone Storage and the official Apple Tips app to keep discovering what your device can do.