6 iPhone Features You Shouldn’t Miss Out On

With the release of a new version of iOS each fall, Apple brings changes to the iPhone user experience. However, not everyone remembers what’s new and what’s not. While advanced users tend to explore the new features, many others may not have the time or inclination to do so. Here are some iPhone features that you might have forgotten about or never tried, but are definitely worth checking out before iOS 17 arrives next month.

1. Get into better app management

In the early days of the iPhone, apps were scattered across multiple pages on the Home screen, requiring users to swipe through pages to find them. This made app management complicated and time-consuming. To tackle this issue, Apple introduced the App Library, which automatically organizes your apps into collections. To make the most of this feature, you can keep your most frequently used apps on the front two pages and delete the rest. This will significantly reduce the time spent searching for apps. Additionally, you can use Siri or Spotlight search to quickly open any app by simply knowing its name.

2. Listen up better

There’s a useful tool on your iPhone called Voice Isolation that can significantly improve call quality when you’re speaking in a noisy environment. During a FaceTime call, simply swipe down on your screen and tap “Mic mode,” then select Voice Isolation. This feature works to reduce background noise and enhance your voice, making it clearer and louder for the person on the other end of the call. It’s a feature that many people are not aware of or don’t use but can greatly enhance their calling experience.

3. Three fingers to your mistakes

Typing errors happen to everyone, and undoing them can be a hassle. In iOS 13, Apple introduced a simple gesture-based solution for undoing and redoing text. You can now swipe with three fingers in the text field to undo or redo what you’ve written. Additionally, iOS 13 introduced other useful gestures:

• Pinch with three fingers to copy, then expand with three fingers to paste.
• Pinch with three fingers twice to copy and cut the text.
• Tap and hold with three fingers anywhere on the screen to bring up the shortcuts bar, which allows you to quickly undo, cut, copy, paste, and redo.

4. Use the secret button

Your iPhone has a hidden feature called Back Tap, introduced in 2020. It allows you to perform actions by double or triple tapping on the back of your iPhone. You can set it up in the Accessibility settings, where you can configure various functions like opening the camera, taking screenshots, switching the torch on and off, and more. You can even assign it to invoke any of your customized shortcuts, making it a powerful productivity tool that doesn’t require you to look at your iPhone.

5. Put a call on hold

While many iPhone users are familiar with muting calls, they may not know that they can also place a call on hold. During a call, simply press and hold the Mute button for a couple of seconds until it changes to Hold. In this mode, the call remains connected, but both parties can’t hear each other until you unmute the call. This feature can be handy in situations where you need to momentarily pause a call while still keeping it active.

6. Shortcuts? What?

Shortcuts are a powerful automation feature available on iPhones, but not everyone takes advantage of them. Many users find the language used in creating shortcuts confusing and are hesitant to experiment. However, learning to use shortcuts can be a valuable investment of time. Apple provides a comprehensive resource for learning about shortcuts, which can help users become more efficient and streamline their iPhone usage.

These are just a few of the lesser-known features that can enhance your iPhone experience. Take the time to explore them, and you may discover new ways to make the most of your device.