Frequently, when it comes to iPhone tips and tricks, the focus is on doing something unusual or impressive enough to elicit a double-take. For instance, tapping the back of your iPhone thrice to take a screenshot or silence the volume is pretty cool, but not everyone requires their phone to perform such functions. Instead, I am more interested in highlighting some essential features that have evolved beyond being mere tricks.
The following is a non-exhaustive compilation of ways to expedite and simplify the use of an iPhone. Not only will certain tasks, such as typing an email or a home address, become more effortless, but even more mundane ones like purging old, unwanted images from your photo library will also be significantly quicker.
Scroll Up With One Tap
One easy way to quickly return to the top of a webpage, app or settings screen on your iPhone is to tap the top center of the screen, next to the front-facing camera. This feature is not limited to web pages and can be used throughout your phone. Instead of repeatedly swiping upwards to get to the top, a single tap at the top of the screen can save you time and effort.
This trick can come in handy when you want to return to the most recent items on an app like Instagram or email. Furthermore, if you have ever found yourself abruptly transported to the top of a website without any explanation, this feature might just be the answer you were looking for.
Stop Typing Your Full Email Address
One useful feature that you may not know about is Text Replacement. You can set it up by going to Settings, then tapping on General, followed by Keyboard and then Text Replacement. This allows you to create shortcuts that will automatically expand into words, phrases or even entire email addresses.
For instance, if you often type your full email address, you could set up a shortcut such as “eml” that automatically expands into your full email address. Additionally, you could set up a shortcut for your home address, non-secret codes, or other frequently used information that you may need to type out often.
However, keep in mind that you should use uncommon letters or combinations of letters to trigger text replacements. Otherwise, every time you type a common word, your text replacement may pop up and become annoying. Also, note that these text replacements will sync across iCloud, so they will be available on all your Apple devices, such as a Mac or iPad.
Hide Photos From Snoopers
You have the ability to hide certain photos from appearing in your general photo library within the Photos app on your iPhone. This feature allows you to keep sensitive images from being seen whenever you open the app. To hide a photo or multiple photos, simply tap on the photo(s) and then tap the share icon, which looks like a box with an arrow pointing up. Next, scroll down until you see the option to “Hide” and select it.
To access your hidden photos, go to the Albums tab and scroll down until you see the “Hidden” album. If you don’t want the Hidden album to appear at all, you can hide it by going to Settings, selecting “Photos,” and turning off the toggle for “Hidden Album.”
Starting with iOS 16, which will be released later in 2022, the Hidden and Recently Deleted photo albums will prompt you to enter your passcode in order to view their contents, adding an extra layer of security to your hidden photos.
Delete Old Screenshots
When accessing the Albums section in the Photos app and scrolling down to the Hidden album, you may have also observed other media types that the app automatically sorts for you. One way to free up more storage space and declutter your photo library is to delete old screenshots or screen recordings by tapping on those sections. This can help you quickly get rid of unnecessary files and keep your memories organized.
Remove Apps From the Home Screen (Without Deleting Them)
If you have a lot of apps on your iPhone’s home screen and find it hard to manage them, you can remove apps from the home screen without deleting them entirely. Simply long-press on the app you want to remove, select “Remove App,” and choose “Remove from Home Screen.” The app will still be accessible from the App Library, which you can access by swiping left on your home screen. If you want to add the app back to your home screen later, you can do so by finding it in the App Library, long-pressing on it, and selecting “Add to Home Screen.”
Rearrange the Home Screen in Seconds, not Hours
If you want to save time rearranging your home screen, you can move entire screens of apps instead of individual icons. To do this, tap and hold the dots at the bottom of your home screen that correspond to the number of screens you have. This will cause the icons to jiggle, and you will see all your home screens. You can then uncheck the screens you no longer want to see or rearrange the order of the screens by moving the rectangles around.
Pin Messages From Friends So They Don’t Get Lost
Pinning important message threads can help ensure they don’t get lost in the shuffle. To pin a message thread in the Messages app, simply tap and hold on the conversation you want to pin. A menu will appear with several options, including “Pin”. Selecting “Pin” will move that conversation to the top of your messages list and keep it there, even if you receive new messages from other contacts. You can pin multiple conversations to keep your most important conversations easily accessible.
Quickly Lock Your Phone for More Security
If you’re concerned about the possibility of being forced to unlock your phone using biometrics, there’s a quick way to disable Face ID and Touch ID. Simply press and hold the button on the right side of the phone and either of the volume buttons at the same time for approximately two seconds. This will bring up a screen that allows you to power off the device, access Medical ID, or activate Emergency SOS. In addition, it will disable biometrics and require you to enter your passcode to unlock the phone.
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