Over the years, the iPhone's operating system has become increasingly complex. With each new version of iOS, Apple introduces a wealth of features, many of which remain hidden from the average user. These capabilities can significantly enhance your daily iPhone experience, yet they often go unnoticed. Below, we have compiled 10 useful iPhone tips and tricks that you might not be aware of, assuming you have iOS 26 or later installed.
Turn an App Into a Widget
Widgets have become a cornerstone of modern iOS, offering at-a-glance information without needing to open apps. But did you know that you can convert most app icons directly into widgets from the Home Screen? Simply long press on an app icon, and a menu will appear showing several widget size options at the top. Tap one of the squares to select a size—small, medium, or large—and the app icon transforms instantly into a live widget. This works with any Apple or third-party app that supports widgets. If you want to revert it back to a standard app icon, long press again and select the top-left icon (a four-square grid). This feature is particularly useful for apps like Weather, Calendar, or Reminders, where you often need quick updates.
See Where You've Been
The Maps app does more than provide directions. It also keeps a detailed history of places you have visited. This can be invaluable when you recall a great restaurant from a weekend trip but cannot remember its name. To access this feature, open Maps, tap your profile icon in the top right, select "Places," and then choose "Visited Places." Your locations are organized by category—such as leisure, shopping, or dining—and by city, making it easy to browse. If you value privacy, you can clear your entire history by scrolling to the bottom of the interface. Alternatively, you can set a specific time period for which visits are kept. To turn off location history entirely, navigate to Settings > Maps > Location > Visited Places and toggle it off. This hidden tool is perfect for revisiting memorable spots.
Set Custom Vibrations
Most iPhone users know they can assign custom ringtones and text tones to specific contacts, but fewer realize the same can be done for vibration patterns. This is especially handy if you keep your iPhone on silent—as many do—because you can identify who is calling or texting by the vibration alone. To set a custom vibration, open the Contacts app, select the person you want, tap "Edit" in the upper right corner, then tap on "Text Tone" or "Ringtone." Next, tap on "Haptics" and then choose "Create New Vibration." You will see a blank canvas where you can tap and press to record your own pattern. Once saved, you can assign it to that contact. This feature allows for subtle differentiation—a short buzz for your partner, a longer pattern for your boss—without ever looking at your phone.
Customize Your Lock Screen Buttons
By default, the Lock Screen shows two quick buttons: Flashlight and Camera. However, you can replace these with any Control Center option, including ones from third-party apps. To customize, long press on the Lock Screen background until the customization interface appears. Tap "Customize" for your current wallpaper or the "+" button to create a new Lock Screen. Then tap the "-" (minus) button on the app controls at the left or right to remove them, and tap "+" to choose a new action from a list that includes Accessibility shortcuts, Note, Timer, Shazam, and more. This is perfect for power users who want instant access to their most-used tools, such as a voice memo recorder or a QR code scanner.
Back Tap Gestures
Back Tap has been a staple of iOS accessibility for years, yet many users forget about it. This feature allows you to double-tap or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to trigger a variety of actions. For example, you can set it to take a screenshot, activate the flashlight, open Control Center, or even run a custom Shortcut. To set it up, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then scroll down to "Back Tap." From there, you can assign different actions for double tap and triple tap. The possibilities are nearly endless, especially when combined with Shortcuts. For instance, you could create a Shortcut that opens your favorite playlist or launches a specific app, then assign it to a triple tap. This is one of the most versatile hidden features on the iPhone.
Screenshot a Webpage
Taking a screenshot on iPhone is straightforward: press the side button and volume up button simultaneously. By default, this captures only what is visible on the screen. However, if you want to capture a full webpage or a long PDF, there is a simple trick. After taking the screenshot, tap the thumbnail that appears in the bottom-left corner (if you have full-screen previews turned off). At the top of the editing interface, you will see two options: "Screen" and "Full Page." Tap "Full Page," and the screenshot will expand to include the entire content of the document or webpage. You can then save it as a PDF or image. This is incredibly useful for saving articles, receipts, or any lengthy content for offline reading.
Hide Apps
There are times when you want to declutter your Home Screen without deleting apps. iOS offers two ways to hide apps. To hide a single app, long press its icon and select the Face ID option (or the equivalent if your device lacks Face ID). The app will be moved to the App Library's Hidden folder. Alternatively, you can hide an entire page of apps. Enter jiggle mode by long pressing the Home Screen background, then tap the dots at the bottom of the display. This shows a page overview. Deselect the page you want to hide by tapping its circle, and the page will vanish from the Home Screen. Hidden apps can still be found via Spotlight Search and appear in their App Library categories. To unhide a page, repeat the process and tap the checkbox to bring it back. This feature is perfect for keeping sensitive apps out of sight while maintaining quick access through search.
Quick Set a Timer
Setting a timer is a routine task, but iOS makes it even faster with a hidden shortcut in Control Center. First, ensure the Timer control is added to Control Center. Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, then tap the "+" next to Timer. Once added, open Control Center and long press the Timer icon. A slider will appear, allowing you to quickly select a duration from one minute up to two hours. Simply drag the slider to your desired time and tap "Start." This bypasses the need to open the Clock app, saving you several taps. It's ideal for cooking, workouts, or any time-sensitive task.
Remove Photos Location Data
When sharing photos, you may not want to send your location metadata along with the image. iOS provides two easy ways to strip this data. The first method is to open the photo in the Photos app, swipe up to reveal the Info panel, and tap "Adjust Location." From there, choose "No Location." The second method works during the sharing process: select a photo, tap the Share button, then tap "Options" at the top of the share sheet. Toggle off "Location." This removes all location data from the photo before sending. You can also remove other metadata like the device name or camera settings using the same options. This is a crucial privacy step, especially when posting images online or sending them to people you may not fully trust.
Use a Timer to Turn Off Media
Falling asleep to music or a podcast is common, but leaving it playing all night drains battery and may disrupt sleep. A built-in timer can automatically stop media playback after a set period. Open the Clock app, tap "Timer," and set the desired duration. Then tap "When Timer Ends," scroll down, and select "Stop Playing." Once the timer runs out, any active media—whether from Apple Music, Spotify, Podcasts, or audiobooks—will stop. This works system-wide and is far more convenient than manually setting a sleep timer within each app. You can even control the timer from Control Center if you added it as a shortcut.
These ten tips represent just a fraction of the hidden capabilities built into iOS 26. By exploring and customizing your iPhone, you can unlock a more efficient and personalized experience. Whether you are a longtime iPhone user or new to the ecosystem, trying out these features can reveal new ways to interact with your device. Stay tuned for more tips, and feel free to share your own discoveries with others.
Source: MacRumors News