We carry our iPhones with us everywhere. They are our cameras, our personal assistants, our entertainment centers, and occasionally, we even use them to make phone calls. But despite spending hours a day staring at that screen, most of us are barely scratching the surface of what iOS is actually capable of.
It feels like with every update, Apple tucks away a few dozen incredible features inside sub-menus or behind specific gestures. Unless you read the manual cover-to-cover (and let’s be honest, who does that?), you are likely missing out on shortcuts that could save you time, protect your privacy, or just make your daily digital life a little bit smoother.
We have dug deep into the settings to find 10 hidden features that strike the perfect balance between "cool party trick" and "genuinely useful utility." Here is how to unlock the full potential of your iPhone.
1. The "Harry Potter" Button (Back Tap)
Did you know the Apple logo on the back of your phone isn't just for branding? It is actually a secret button. Well, sort of. Using the accelerometer, your iPhone can detect when you tap the back of the device, allowing you to trigger specific actions without touching the screen.
This feature is called Back Tap, and it is a game-changer for accessibility and convenience. You can set it to take a screenshot, turn on the flashlight, launch the camera, or even trigger a specific Shortcut you’ve created.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Tap on Touch.
- Scroll all the way down to Back Tap.
- Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap to assign an action.
Pro Tip: Set "Double Tap" to launch the Flashlight and "Triple Tap" to take a Screenshot. It makes one-handed use significantly easier when you are walking the dog or carrying groceries.
2. The Hidden Trackpad for Text Editing
We have all been there: you are typing a long text or email, and you notice a typo three lines back. You try to tap exactly where the error is, but your finger is too big, and the cursor lands in the wrong spot. You tap again. You miss again. It is frustrating.
Stop tapping and start sliding. Your keyboard has a hidden trackpad built right into it that turns your cursor into a precision instrument.
- Open any app where you can type (Messages, Notes, Mail).
- Press and hold the Spacebar.
- Wait for the keys to go blank and feel the haptic click.
- Without lifting your finger, slide it around the keyboard area to move the cursor precisely where you need it.
Once you get used to this, you will never go back to the "tap and pray" method of editing text.
3. Scan Documents Directly into Notes
For years, people downloaded third-party apps to scan receipts, contracts, and documents. These apps were often filled with ads or required subscriptions. The reality is that Apple built a professional-grade scanner right into the Notes app, and it is likely better than whatever you are currently using.
It doesn't just take a photo; it detects the edges of the paper, corrects the perspective (so it looks flat even if you took the photo at an angle), and enhances the text for readability.
- Open the Notes app and create a new note.
- Tap the Camera icon above the keyboard.
- Select Scan Documents.
- Point your camera at the paper; it will usually snap the scan automatically.
You can then sign the document using your finger and export it immediately as a PDF to email or save to your files.
4. Identify Plants, Breeds, and Landmarks with Visual Look Up
Have you ever snapped a photo of a beautiful flower in your garden or a strange dog at the park and wondered what it was? You don't need to describe it to Google anymore. Your iPhone’s "Visual Look Up" uses machine learning to identify objects within your photos.
This works for art, landmarks, plants, pets, and even laundry care symbols on clothing tags.
- Take a photo of the object (or find an existing one in your library).
- Open the photo in full screen.
- Look for "stars" next to the "i" (Info) button at the bottom.
- Tap the icon, and then tap Look Up [Plant/Dog/Landmark] to get detailed results.
5. Background Sounds for Focus and Sleep
In a noisy world, sometimes you just need to drown out the distractions. Many people pay for "white noise" apps to help them focus while working or fall asleep at night. Apple quietly added a high-quality background noise generator directly into the operating system.
You can play rain, ocean, stream, or standard white noise sounds, and they will even play underneath other audio like podcasts or music if you want them to.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Tap on Audio/Visual.
- Select Background Sounds and toggle it on.
- Tap Sound to choose your preferred noise profile.
Quick Access: You can add the "Hearing" icon (which looks like an ear) to your Control Center. This lets you toggle these sounds on and off with a single swipe and tap, rather than digging through settings every time.
6. Copy and Paste Text from the Real World (Live Text)
Typing out a WiFi password from the back of a router, or copying a phone number from a flyer, used to be a tedious task. With Live Text, your iPhone treats text in the real world just like text in a document.
This feature works in the Camera app, in Photos, and even in paused video frames.
- Open your Camera app.
- Point it at any text (a menu, a sign, a book).
- Tap the Live Text icon (a square with three lines) that appears in the corner of the viewfinder.
- The text will highlight, allowing you to Copy, Look Up, or Translate it instantly.
If you point the camera at a phone number, you can tap to call it directly. If you point it at an email address, you can tap to draft a message. It bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds seamlessly.
7. Use Text Replacement for Faster Typing
If you find yourself typing the same things over and over—like your email address, your home address, or a specific hashtag block—Text Replacement is the savior you didn't know you needed. It allows you to create short codes that automatically expand into longer phrases.
For example, you could set it up so that typing "@@" automatically turns into "firstname.lastname@example.com".
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
- Tap Text Replacement.
- Tap the + in the top right corner.
- In Phrase, type the long version (e.g., your full address).
- In Shortcut, type the short code (e.g., "myadd").
Now, whenever you type "myadd" and hit space, your iPhone will instantly fill in your full address.
8. Lift Subjects Out of Photos
This feature feels like Photoshop magic, but it takes zero skill to use. You can instantly separate the subject of a photo (a person, a pet, or an object) from its background and turn it into a transparent PNG image. This is perfect for making quick stickers for group chats or creating collages.
- Open the Photos app.
- Find a picture with a clear subject.
- Press and hold on the subject (like the person or dog).
- You will see a shimmering white line outline the subject.
- Tap Copy to paste it into a message, or drag and drop it into another app.
9. Haptic Touch in Control Center
The Control Center (the menu you access by swiping down from the top-right corner) is great for quick toggles, but almost every icon in there has a secret "long press" menu that offers more options.
Most users simply tap the icons to turn things on or off, missing out on the granular control available through a long press (Haptic Touch).
- Flashlight: Long press to adjust the brightness intensity slider.
- Timer: Long press to quickly set a specific duration (1 min, 5 min, etc.) without opening the Clock app.
- WiFi/Bluetooth: Long press the connection box to quickly switch WiFi networks or Bluetooth devices without going to Settings.
- Calculator: Long press to copy your last result.
10. Hide My Email
Privacy is a massive focus for Apple, and "Hide My Email" is one of the best tools for keeping your inbox clean and your identity safe. When you sign up for a new newsletter, an app, or a service that looks a little spammy, you don't have to give them your real email address.
Available if you have an iCloud+ subscription (which includes the basic 50GB tier), this feature generates a random, unique email address that forwards to your real inbox. If that service starts spamming you, you can simply delete the random email address and cut off the connection instantly.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
- Tap Hide My Email.
- Select Create New Address.
You can label these addresses so you know who has them (e.g., "Shopping," "Newsletters"). It is the ultimate firewall for your personal inbox.
Your iPhone is packed with these kinds of thoughtful touches, waiting to be discovered. Try incorporating just two or three of these into your daily routine this week. You might be surprised at how much time you save—and how much smarter your smartphone suddenly feels.