We all think we know our iPhones inside and out. After all, most of us spend hours every day scrolling, tapping, and swiping through apps. But beneath the surface of iOS lies a treasure trove of hidden utilities and shortcuts that Apple doesn’t always advertise on the main stage. These aren't just parlor tricks; they are genuine productivity boosters and life-hacks designed to make your digital life smoother.
Whether you are rocking the latest iPhone 15 Pro or holding onto a trusty older model, there are likely features buried in your Settings menu that you have never touched. Today, we are going to change that. Get your phone ready, because we are diving into seven secret iPhone features that will change the way you use your device forever.
1. The "Secret Button" on the Back of Your Phone
Did you know the Apple logo on the back of your iPhone isn't just branding? It can actually function as a secret button. This feature is called "Back Tap," and it allows you to trigger specific actions by double-tapping or triple-tapping the back of your device. It feels almost like magic when you first use it.
You can set this up to do almost anything: take a screenshot, turn on the flashlight, open the camera, or even launch a specific shortcut you’ve created. It is incredibly useful for actions you perform dozens of times a day but want to access without fumbling through menus.
How to set it up:
- Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
- Tap on Touch.
- Scroll all the way to the bottom and select Back Tap.
- Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap and assign an action from the list.
Pro Tip: If you use a very thick, rugged case, you might need to tap a little harder for the accelerometer to register the knock. However, it works through most standard silicone and leather cases without issue!
2. Turn Your Keyboard into a Trackpad
We have all been there: you are typing a long text or email, and you notice a typo in the middle of a sentence. You try to tap the screen to move the cursor to the exact spot, but your finger is too big, and you end up highlighting the wrong word. It is frustrating and breaks your flow.
Stop tapping the screen! Your iPhone keyboard has a hidden trackpad mode that gives you precise, mouse-like control over the cursor. Once you start using this, you will wonder how you ever edited text without it.
How to use it:
- Open any app where the keyboard is active (Messages, Notes, Mail).
- Press and hold down the Spacebar.
- Wait a split second until the letters on the keys fade to gray.
- Without lifting your finger, slide it around the keyboard area. You will see the cursor moving in the text field above, perfectly mirroring your finger's movement.
3. Built-in White Noise for Focus
In the age of open-plan offices and noisy coffee shops, staying focused can be a challenge. Many people pay for premium subscriptions to apps like Calm or Spotify just to play rain sounds or white noise. But did you know your iPhone has a high-quality white noise machine built right into the operating system?
This feature is called "Background Sounds." It is designed to mask unwanted environmental noise to help you focus, stay calm, or rest. You can even layer these sounds underneath your music or podcasts.
How to activate it:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Select Audio/Visual.
- Tap on Background Sounds and toggle it to On.
- Tap Sound to choose between Ocean, Rain, Stream, Balanced Noise, Bright Noise, or Dark Noise.
Quick Access: To turn this on and off quickly without digging through settings, you can add the "Hearing" icon to your Control Center. Swipe down, tap the ear icon, and toggle Background Sounds instantly.
4. Scan Documents Without Third-Party Apps
Years ago, if you needed to email a signed contract or a receipt, you had to download a scanner app (which usually came with annoying ads) or take a regular photo and hope the lighting was good. Apple solved this quietly by integrating a powerful document scanner directly into the Notes app.
This isn't just a photo; the software detects the edges of the paper, corrects the perspective if you are holding the phone at an angle, removes shadows, and converts the image into a crisp, high-contrast PDF.
How to scan a document:
- 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. If "Auto" is on (top right), it will automatically snap the picture once it detects the document.
- Tap Save to drop the PDF right into your note.
5. Text Replacement for Speed Typing
If you find yourself typing the same things over and over again—your email address, your home address, or specific hashtags for Instagram—you are wasting valuable time. The "Text Replacement" feature is essentially a custom autocorrect that expands short codes into full phrases.
For example, you could set it up so that typing "@@" automatically expands to your full email address. Or, typing "omw" expands to "On my way! See you soon." It is a massive time-saver for filling out forms or sending quick updates.
How to create shortcuts:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
- Tap Text Replacement.
- Tap the + (plus) sign in the top right corner.
- In the Phrase field, type the full text (e.g., "john.doe@example.com").
- In the Shortcut field, type the code you want to use (e.g., "jemail").
6. Visual Look Up: The Shazam for Real Life
Have you ever snapped a photo of a beautiful flower in a garden or a strange dog breed at the park and wondered what it was? You don't need to ask a customized Google search anymore. Apple’s "Visual Look Up" uses machine learning to identify objects directly within your photos.
This feature works for plants, pets, landmarks, and even laundry care symbols on clothing tags. It turns your photo gallery into an encyclopedia.
How to use it:
- Take a photo of the object (or open an existing one).
- Swipe up on the photo or tap the "i" (info) button at the bottom.
- If your iPhone recognizes the object, you will see a little star or leaf icon on the info button.
- Tap Look Up [Plant/Dog/Landmark] to read details about what is in the image.
7. Guided Access (The "Kid Mode")
This is arguably the most important privacy feature for parents or anyone who occasionally hands their phone to someone else. Let's say you want to let your child play a game, but you don't want them accidentally deleting your emails or calling your boss. Or, you want to show a friend a photo, but you don't want them swiping left and right through your whole gallery.
Guided Access locks your iPhone to a single app. It disables the ability to close the app, and you can even disable specific areas of the screen from responding to touch.
How to master it:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and turn it on.
- Set a Passcode that is different from your unlock code (optional, but recommended).
- Open the app you want to lock the phone to.
- Triple-click the side power button.
- Tap Start in the top right corner.
To exit Guided Access, simply triple-click the power button again and enter your passcode. It gives you complete peace of mind when your phone leaves your hands.
Final Thoughts: Technology works best when it works for you. By taking five minutes to set up these "secret" features, you aren't just learning trivia—you are customizing your device to be more efficient, private, and helpful in your daily life. Try setting up Back Tap right now; you'll thank yourself later!