Hidden iPhone Features Apple Doesn’t Advertise

1) Back Tap Shortcuts

Back Tap turns the back of your iPhone into a programmable button. Assign double-tap and triple-tap to actions like Screenshot, Mute, Run Shortcut, Open Camera, or Magnifier.

• Path: Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap → choose Double Tap and Triple Tap.
• Pro idea: Map Run Shortcut to a multi-step routine (e.g., turn on Do Not Disturb, set brightness, start a music playlist).
• Works best without thick cases; may require firm taps near the top half.

2) AR Measure & Built-in Level

The Measure app uses AR to measure objects and rooms quickly. The app also contains a precise Level tool for hanging frames or aligning surfaces.

• Try: Open Measure → scan corners → get length/area; switch to Level tab for a bubble level overlay.
• Tip: For furniture, take multiple points to improve accuracy.

Measure room dimensions and use the built-in level—no toolbox required.

3) Keyboard Trackpad Mode

Editing text is a breeze: hold the spacebar until letters vanish, then drag to move the cursor like a trackpad. Tap with a second finger to select text quickly.

• Bonus: Two-finger drag in text fields selects entire lines or paragraphs.
• Pro: Use Text Replacement (Settings → General → Keyboard) to expand shortcuts like ;eml → your email.

4) Notes App Document Scanner

You don’t need third-party scanners. Open Notes → new note → camera icon → Scan Documents. It auto-detects edges, flattens perspective, and exports as PDF. You can sign with Markup.

• Tip: Name scans consistently (e.g., YYYY-MM Invoice) so Spotlight finds them instantly.
• Best lighting: Use indirect daylight; avoid harsh shadows for cleaner OCR.

5) Live Text & Visual Lookup

Live Text recognizes text in photos, screenshots, and the camera preview for instant copy/paste, translate, or call. Visual Lookup identifies plants, pets, landmarks, and more.

• Use: Long-press text in any photo → copy, translate, or look up.
• Translate on the fly: Camera → point at menu → tap Live Text → Translate.
• Visual Lookup: Swipe up on a photo → Look Up to get info cards.

6) Instant Background Removal

In Photos or Safari, touch-and-hold a subject to lift it from the background and share as a PNG-like cutout. Perfect for quick thumbnails, stickers, or slides.

• Where: Photos app, Files app (on supported images), and Safari images.
• Idea: Create a personal sticker pack by saving cutouts.

7) Photo Duplicates, Hidden & Recently Deleted (Locked)

iOS detects duplicate photos; you can merge them to save space. Hidden and Recently Deleted albums are Face ID/Touch ID protected.

• Path: Photos → Albums → Duplicates → Merge.
• Hide: Select photos → Share → Hide; view under Hidden (requires authentication).
• Finalize space: Empty Recently Deleted after big cleanups.

8) Built-in Shazam (No App Needed)

Add Music Recognition to Control Center to ID songs anywhere—even while wearing AirPods.

• Path: Settings → Control Center → add Music Recognition.
• Bonus: It also works on audio playing on your iPhone.

9) Magnifier & Accessibility Superpowers

Magnifier turns your iPhone into a magnifying glass with zoom, contrast, and flashlight controls. Accessibility has many more hidden boosts.

10) Sound Recognition Alerts

Your iPhone can listen for critical sounds (doorbell, smoke alarm, baby cry) and alert you.

• Path: Settings → Accessibility → Sound Recognition.
• Note: Requires on-device processing; may affect battery slightly.

11) Focus Filters & Notification Triage

Focus goes far beyond Do Not Disturb: filter inboxes in Mail, calendars in Calendar, or specific Safari tab groups during work vs. personal time.

• Path: Settings → Focus → add a Focus → set Allowed People, Allowed Apps, and Filters.
• Automation: Activate by schedule, location, or app.

12) Safari Privacy: Hide IP, Privacy Report, Private Browsing

Safari blocks cross-site trackers and can hide your IP address from known trackers. Private browsing now locks with Face ID/Touch ID when you leave the tab view.

• Path: Settings → Safari → Hide IP Address (From Trackers).
• Privacy Report: Tap the address bar shield icon to see blocked trackers.

13) Hide My Email (iCloud+)

Create unique, random email addresses that forward to your inbox—perfect for sign-ups without exposing your real address.

• Path: Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Hide My Email.
• Use in Safari: Auto-fills on sign-up forms.

14) Passwords, 2FA Codes & Passkeys

The built-in password manager stores logins, auto-fills one-time codes from SMS, and supports passwordless passkeys.

• Path: Settings → Passwords.
• Security: Set strong device passcode and enable Face ID/Touch ID for autofill.

15) Messages Power Moves

• Pin conversations: Swipe right → Pin; keeps VIPs at top.
• Mentions & inline replies: Type @name; long-press a message → Reply.
• Filters: Messages → Filters → Unknown Senders to reduce spam.
• Large attachments: Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Messages → Review Large Attachments.

16) FaceTime Tricks

• Links & schedule: Create FaceTime links and share like a meeting invite.
• Hand Gestures & Reactions: Express with built-in effects (device-dependent).
• Portrait mode & Studio Light: Blur background and enhance lighting on supported devices.

17) Camera Quick Actions (QuickTake, Burst, Volume Shutter)

• QuickTake video: In Photo mode, hold the shutter to start video instantly; slide right to lock recording.
• Burst: Hold a volume button (or swipe shutter left) to capture bursts for action shots (settings may vary by model).
• Volume as shutter: Use physical buttons for steadier shots.

QuickTake, bursts, and volume shutter = fewer missed moments.

18) Photos: Metadata, Captions, Albums & Search

Add captions for smarter search, edit location/time, and build smart albums by people/places.

• Caption: Swipe up on a photo → add a description; searchable later.
• People: Name faces to organize auto-albums.
• Search: Try “receipts”, “dogs”, “whiteboard”.

19) Shortcuts Automations (NFC, Time, App, Focus)

Automate daily routines with triggers like time, location, app open, or scanning an NFC tag.

• Path: Shortcuts → Automation → New Automation.
• Ideas: Auto-enable Low Power at 20%; rename screenshots to date; set a Sleep Focus at bedtime; start a playlist when you open a fitness app.

20) Find My & Separation Alerts

Never leave items behind. Get an alert if you walk away from your AirPods, Apple Watch, or an AirTag-tagged bag.

• Path: Find My → Devices/Items → Notify When Left Behind.
• Exceptions: Add safe locations (home/office) to avoid pings.

21) Health & Safety: Medical ID, SOS, Check In

• Medical ID: Health → profile → Medical ID → fill conditions/contacts; emergency responders can view on lock screen.
• Emergency SOS: Press and hold side + volume (or rapid press Side) to call services and notify contacts.
• Check In (Messages): Let friends auto-know you arrived safely (availability varies by region/version).

22) Battery Optimizations You’ll Actually Feel

• Optimized Charging: Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging → ON.
• Background App Refresh: Settings → General → limit to essentials or Wi-Fi only.
• Location: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → set most apps to “While Using.”
• Notifications: Silence attention-hungry apps to reduce wakeups.

23) Siri, Type to Siri & On-Device Intelligence

• Type to Siri: Settings → Accessibility → Siri → Type to Siri to issue commands silently.
• On-device: Many requests run privately on your phone (timer, settings toggles, opening apps).
• Ask: “Open Notes and start a new scan” (paired with Shortcuts) for hands-free workflows.

24) Smaller Hidden Gems (Rapid-Fire)

25) Quick Checklists

FAQ

Will these features work on every iPhone? Most work on recent iOS versions and devices; paths/names can vary slightly by model and software version.

Is Back Tap safe? Yes. It’s built-in to iOS Accessibility and only runs actions you assign.

Do I need extra apps for scanning or measuring? No. Notes and Measure cover most needs with OCR and AR built-ins.

Will privacy features break websites? Hiding IP and blocking trackers may change some ad or personalization behavior; you can toggle per-site in Safari.