Hidden iPhone Tips and Tricks

25 Hidden iPhone Tips and Tricks You Should Know in 2025

Think you know everything about your iPhone? Think again. Apple has tucked away dozens of powerful features that most users never discover. In this guide, you’ll unlock 25 hidden iPhone tricks that can boost your productivity, enhance your privacy, and simply make your life easier.

⚡1. Back Tap to Trigger Shortcuts

Double- or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to launch specific apps, take screenshots, or even automate tasks using Shortcuts. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap to enable it.

🔐2. Lock Hidden Photos with Face ID

iOS lets you secure private photos inside the Hidden album with Face ID or Touch ID. Activate it under Settings > Photos.

✍️3. Convert Handwriting to Text in Notes

Scribble with your finger or Apple Pencil in Notes and iOS will turn it into editable text. Perfect for handwritten journaling or note-taking.

🎧4. Personalized Spatial Audio

Create a surround-sound profile tailored to your head and ears in Settings > Accessibility > AirPods. Great for immersive sound using AirPods Pro or Max.

📱5. Drag & Drop Between Apps

Press and hold a photo or file, then with another finger, switch to another app and drop it. iOS supports seamless multitasking like a pro.

🖼️6. Remove Background from Any Image

Long press a subject in your photo (like a person or pet) and iOS will lift it from the background. Instantly share it or save as a sticker!

🔋7. Optimize Battery Charging

To extend battery health, enable Optimized Charging in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Your iPhone learns your routine and finishes charging just before you need it.

🧩8. Add Widgets to Lock Screen

Long-press the lock screen to customize and add widgets like calendar, weather, battery, and more. It’s like a dashboard for your life.

🎙️9. Dictate Text with Emojis

Say "heart emoji" or "smiley face emoji" while dictating, and Siri will type the emoji instead of the words. It's fast and fun!

📸10. Copy Text from Images (Live Text)

iOS detects text in photos. Just tap and hold to copy text from images, signs, or books. A game changer for quick notes or translations.

🔍11. Visual Lookup for Objects

Use Visual Lookup to identify plants, animals, landmarks, and more by swiping up on a photo and tapping the info (i) icon.

📥12. Scan Documents in Notes App

Open Notes > Tap Camera icon > Choose “Scan Documents.” Your iPhone automatically crops and adjusts lighting. You can even sign documents using Markup.

⏰13. Set Quick Alarms via Control Center

Swipe down from top-right > long-press the Timer tile > drag the slider to quickly set a 1–2–3-minute timer. Ideal for power naps, stretching, or tea breaks.

📵14. Silence Unknown Callers Automatically

Block spam and robocalls with this hidden setting: Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. Calls still appear in Recents but won’t ring aloud.

💬15. Pin Favorite Messages

In the Messages app, swipe right on a conversation and tap the yellow pin icon. This keeps your important chats at the top, no more endless scrolling.

👁️‍🗨️16. Enable Screen Distance for Eye Safety

iOS 17+ includes Screen Distance – a feature that reminds you when holding the screen too close. Activate it in Settings > Screen Time > Screen Distance.

📶17. View Wi-Fi Passwords You've Connected To

Want to share a saved Wi-Fi password? Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the (i) next to the network and use Face ID to view the password!

🎨18. Use Markup in Photos and Screenshots

Tap “Edit” > “Markup” to add doodles, arrows, shapes, or your signature to images. It works on photos, PDFs, and even email attachments.

🖖19. Use Siri Shortcuts to Automate Tasks

In the Shortcuts app, create automations like “When I open Instagram, turn on Do Not Disturb.” You can also chain actions like “Turn on Wi-Fi, send text, open map.”

⛔20. Hide Unused Apps from Home Screen

Long-press any app > “Remove App” > “Remove from Home Screen.” The app stays in your App Library but disappears from sight, keeping your phone minimal.

🧠21. Use Personal Voice Feature

iOS 17 introduces Personal Voice, allowing you to create a synthesized voice that sounds like you. Set it up under Settings > Accessibility > Personal Voice.

🌐22. Listen to Webpages Aloud in Safari

Too busy to read? Let your iPhone read webpages to you! Open any article in Safari, tap the “aA” icon in the address bar, then choose “Listen to Page”. Your device will start reading the text out loud in a natural voice — perfect for multitasking, driving, or relaxing. You can also control playback speed and voice in Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content.

📂23. Save Safari Tabs as a Group

Do you often open multiple tabs while researching or shopping? Save them as a tab group for later use. In Safari, tap the Tabs icon > Tap the down arrow > “Save Tabs as Group”. Name your group and come back to it anytime. Ideal for travel planning, blogging, or comparing products!

🧭24. Use Haptic Touch to Preview Links

Want to preview a link without fully opening it? Just long-press (Haptic Touch) on any link, and a pop-up preview appears. From here, you can choose to open it, copy the link, or share it — all without losing your place in the current app.

🛡️25. Use Safety Check to Secure Your Privacy

This powerful iOS feature is designed to help users in sensitive situations. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check. You can instantly review and revoke access to data, location, shared apps, and devices for better control and safety — ideal if you're leaving a shared Apple ID or exiting a controlling relationship.

Pro Tip:

Explore the Tips app pre-installed on your iPhone for even more Apple-recommended features. It updates regularly with new tricks!

Which iPhone Trick Surprised You the Most?

Leave a comment with your favorite tip or one you never knew existed. Share this post with fellow iPhone users so they can unlock these hidden features too!

Don't forget: Bookmark this page — new iOS updates often come with even more hidden gems. Stay ahead, stay smart!