10 iPhone Secret Settings: Hidden iOS Features You Need

As seasoned iPhone users, we often believe we’ve mastered all the functionalities our devices offer. Yet, Apple continues to pack iOS with hidden settings and features that even the most experienced users may not be aware of. Discovering these hidden gems can significantly enhance your iPhone experience, offering greater customisation, improved security, and a smoother overall experience. In this comprehensive guide, we reveal some of the best-kept iPhone secret settings that will transform how you use your iPhone.

1. Boost Your Privacy with App Permissions Control: iPhone Secret

Privacy is a primary concern for most iPhone users, and while Apple is renowned for its robust privacy features, there are lesser-known settings that can further protect your personal information.

Managing Location Access

Many apps request access to your location, but not all need it all the time. Head to Settings > Privacy > Location Services to review which apps have access to your location. For each app, select While Using the App instead of Always. This way, you’ll minimise background tracking and save battery life.

Control Data Collection with App Tracking Transparency

Introduced with iOS 14.5, App Tracking Transparency (ATT) allows you to control which apps can track your activity across other companies’ apps and websites. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Tracking to toggle off tracking for apps that don’t need it or deny permissions when prompted by the app itself. This feature ensures that your online behaviour remains private, and only you decide who can access it.

2. Enhance Your Typing Experience with Keyboard Shortcuts

iPhones come with a variety of keyboard settings that can be customised to make typing more efficient.

Creating Custom Text Replacements

If you find yourself typing the same phrases repeatedly, create custom text replacements to speed up your typing. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap the + icon information.  One such setting is the app permissions control.

Manage app permissions efficiently.

Many apps request access to your camera, microphone, contacts, and location, often more than necessary. To control which apps have access to these services, navigate to Settings > Privacy > App Permissions. Here, you can view and modify the permissions granted to each app, ensuring that only trusted apps have access to sensitive data. For added privacy, consider turning off permissions for apps that don’t need them or opting for the “While Using the App” option, which limits access to when the app is actively in use.

Your iPhone is capable of so much more than you realize. Unlocking its hidden features is like discovering a whole new device.

3. Enhance Your Battery Life with Background App Refresh

Battery life is a crucial aspect of any smartphone experience. iPhones are equipped with numerous background processes that can drain battery power without your knowledge. A simple way to extend your battery life is by adjusting the Background App Refresh setting.

Optimise background app activity.

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh to see a list of apps that refresh content in the background. You can disable this feature entirely or choose to limit it to Wi-Fi only, preventing apps from using cellular data and draining your battery when you’re on the go. Disabling Background App Refresh for apps that don’t need to constantly update, such as social media apps or games, can significantly boost your battery performance.

4. Customising the Control Centre for Quick Access

The Control Centre is an essential tool for quickly accessing key functions on your iPhone. However, many users don’t realise that it can be customised to include shortcuts to the features they use most.

Tailor Your Control Centre

Navigate to Settings > Control Centre > Customise Controls to add, remove, or rearrange controls. Whether it’s adding a shortcut to your Apple TV remote, enabling screen recording, or quickly accessing your Wallet, this customisation allows you to tailor the Control Centre to fit your specific needs, making your iPhone more user-friendly and efficient.

5. Unleash the Power of Advanced Safari Features

Safari is a powerful browser that comes pre-installed on every iPhone. While many users stick to the basic browsing functions, Safari offers advanced features that can enhance your web surfing experience.

Leverage Safari’s Hidden Capabilities

For instance, Safari’s Reader Mode can simplify web pages for easier reading. To activate it, tap the AA icon in the address bar and select “Show Reader View.” This feature strips away ads and other distractions, presenting the content in a clean, readable format. Additionally, you can use Safari’s Privacy Report to see which trackers have been blocked from profiling you, enhancing your online security.

6. Maximise Storage with Offloading Unused Apps

Running out of storage is a common issue for iPhone users, especially for those with lower-capacity models. Fortunately, iOS offers a feature that can help you manage your storage more effectively.

Free up space without losing data.

The Offload Unused Apps feature automatically removes apps you don’t use often, freeing up valuable storage space. The best part? All the data and documents associated with the app are saved, so when you reinstall the app, everything will be just as you left it. To enable this feature, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Offload Unused Apps and toggle it on. This is a great way to maintain optimal performance without constantly worrying about running out of space.

7. Improve typing with keyboard shortcuts

Typing on a touchscreen can be cumbersome, especially for those who write a lot on their iPhones. Fortunately, iOS provides keyboard shortcuts that can streamline your typing experience.

Customise your keyboard for efficiency.

You can set up shortcuts for commonly used phrases or words by navigating to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. For example, you can create a shortcut so that typing “omw” will automatically expand to “On my way!” This feature saves time and ensures that your messages are precise and consistent.

Don’t settle for the default settings. Customize your iPhone to perfectly match your needs and elevate your user experience.

8. Utilise hidden gestures for better navigation: iPhone Secret Settings

iOS is filled with hidden gestures that can make navigating your iPhone quicker and more intuitive. These gestures often go unnoticed but can drastically improve your user experience once discovered.

Master Hidden iOS Gestures

For instance, you can swipe three fingers left or right on the screen to undo or redo typing, making text editing much easier. Another handy gesture is the reachability feature, which allows you to bring the top of the screen closer to your thumb by swiping down on the bottom edge of the screen. This is especially useful for one-handed use, particularly on larger iPhone models.

9. Strengthen security with two-factor authentication: iPhone Secret Settings

Security is paramount in today’s digital world, and Apple provides several tools to keep your iPhone secure. Among them, two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the most effective.

Set up two-factor authentication for enhanced security.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification before you can access your account, typically a code sent to your phone. To enable 2FA, go to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security > Two-Factor Authentication. Once activated, your accounts will be far more secure, protecting your personal information from unauthorised access.

10. Take advantage of Do Not Disturb While Driving.

Distracted driving is a major safety issue, and Apple’s Do Not Disturb While Driving feature helps mitigate this risk by limiting notifications when you’re behind the wheel.

Stay Focused and Do Not Disturb While Driving

This feature can be enabled by going to Settings > Do Not Disturb > Activate, where you can choose to have it turn on automatically when your iPhone detects that you’re driving. It silences all notifications except those from your favourites or people trying to reach you repeatedly, ensuring that you stay focused on the road.

11. Personalise Your iPhone with Custom Wallpapers and Widgets

Personalisation is a key aspect of making your iPhone truly yours. iOS offers various options for customising your home screen with unique wallpapers and widgets.

Express yourself with custom home screen layouts.

You can choose from dynamic, still, or live wallpapers by going to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper. Additionally, you can add widgets to your home screen by long-pressing on an empty area of the screen until the apps jiggle, then tapping the plus (+) icon in the top-left corner. Widgets provide quick access to information from your favourite apps and can be arranged to fit your aesthetic preferences.

By exploring these 10 iPhone secret settings, you can unlock your iPhone’s full potential, enhancing both functionality and user experience. These hidden features allow you to customise your device, improve security, and ensure a smoother, more efficient use of your iPhone.