We all do it. We buy the latest iPhone, marvel at the camera quality, set up Face ID, and then proceed to use the device exactly the same way we used our previous one. It is easy to fall into a routine of scrolling through social media, checking emails, and sending texts without ever scratching the surface of what iOS is actually capable of.
Your iPhone is essentially a supercomputer in your pocket, packed with features designed to save you time, protect your privacy, and make your digital life a little bit smoother. However, Apple has a habit of tucking some of the most useful features deep inside the Settings menu or behind specific gestures that aren't immediately obvious.
Whether you are rocking the latest iPhone 15 Pro or holding onto a beloved older model, there are hidden utilities waiting to be discovered. We have rounded up seven of the absolute best "secret" tricks that will change how you use your phone every single day. Let’s dive in.
1. Turn the Apple Logo into a "Secret Button"
This is arguably the coolest trick on this list, and whenever you show it to friends, they usually gasp. Most people assume the Apple logo on the back of the phone is just branding. In reality, with a feature called Back Tap, you can turn the back of your phone into a functional button.
By tapping the back of your phone twice or three times, you can trigger specific actions. You can set it to take a screenshot, turn on the flashlight, launch the camera, or even run a complex Shortcut.
Here is how to set it up:
- Open Settings and tap on Accessibility.
- Select Touch.
- Scroll all the way down to the bottom and select Back Tap.
- You will see options for Double Tap and Triple Tap. Choose an action for each.
Imagine being able to take a screenshot just by double-tapping the back of your phone while holding it with one hand. It is a massive usability upgrade.
Pro Tip: If you use a very thick, rugged case, Back Tap might be a little less sensitive. However, it works surprisingly well through most standard silicone and leather cases.
2. The Hidden Trackpad for Precision Editing
We have all been there: you are typing a long text message or an email, and you spot a typo in the middle of a sentence. You try to tap your finger exactly where the error is to fix it, but your finger is too big, and the cursor lands three words away. You tap again, miss again, and frustration mounts.
Stop pecking at your screen! Your iPhone keyboard has a built-in trackpad mode that turns cursor placement into a precision activity.
To activate it:
- Press and hold the Spacebar on your keyboard.
- After a second, the keys will turn gray and blank.
- Without lifting your finger, slide it around the keyboard area. You will see the cursor in your text box move in perfect sync with your finger, just like a mouse on a computer.
- Drop the cursor exactly where you need it and let go.
Once you start using this, you will never go back to the "tap and pray" method of editing text. It is seamless and works in every app where the keyboard is present.
3. Scan Documents Without Third-Party Apps
For years, the App Store was flooded with "Scanner" apps that charged subscription fees just to take a photo of a document and turn it into a PDF. Many users don't realize that Apple integrated a professional-grade document scanner directly into the Notes app years ago.
This isn't just taking a picture; the software identifies the corners of the paper, corrects the perspective (flattening the image even if you took it at an angle), and removes shadows to create a clean, crisp PDF.
Here is the workflow:
- Open the Notes app and start 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.
- You can keep scanning multiple pages into a single file. When you are done, tap Save.
You can then tap the share button to email the PDF or save it to your Files app. It is incredibly useful for signing leases, saving receipts, or digitizing old family recipes.
4. Text Replacement for Super-Fast Typing
If you find yourself typing the same things over and over again—like your email address, your home address, or a specific hashtags block for Instagram—you need to use Text Replacement.
This feature allows you to create short codes (abbreviations) that automatically expand into longer phrases. For example, you could set it up so that typing "@@" automatically expands to "firstname.lastname@example.com."
How to configure your shortcuts:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
- Tap Text Replacement.
- Tap the + (plus) sign in the top right corner.
- In the Phrase field, type the long version (e.g., your full address).
- In the Shortcut field, type the trigger code (e.g., "myadd").
Now, whenever you type "myadd" and hit the spacebar, your iPhone will instantly swap it for your full address. It saves seconds every time you use it, which adds up to hours over a year.
Quick Note: Try to choose shortcuts that aren't real words so you don't trigger them accidentally. "Omw" is a default one Apple includes (On my way!), but using unique combos like "eml" for email works best.
5. Focus, Privacy, and "Visual Intelligence"
The final set of tricks falls into the "quality of life" category. These are features that help you focus, maintain privacy, or interact with the world around you in new ways.
Instant Identification with Visual Look Up
Have you ever snapped a photo of a pretty flower on a hike, or a dog at the park, and wondered what breed or species it was? Your iPhone Photos app has built-in recognition software.
Open a photo of a plant, pet, or landmark. If you see "stars" sparkling around the "i" (Info) button at the bottom of the screen, tap it. You will see an option like "Look Up Plant." Tap that, and Siri will tell you exactly what you are looking at. It is like having a digital encyclopedia built into your camera roll.
Guided Access (The "Kid Mode")
If you ever hand your phone to a friend to show them a photo, or to a child to play a game, you might worry about them swiping away and looking through your texts or emails. Guided Access locks your iPhone to a single app.
To enable it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and turn it on. Set a passcode.
Now, open the app you want to lock (like a game). Triple-click the side power button. The phone is now locked to that app. The volume buttons and touch areas can even be disabled. To exit, triple-click again and enter your code. It is the ultimate privacy shield for handing off your device.
Built-in Background Sounds
You don't need a Spotify subscription or a white noise machine to focus. Your iPhone has a native background noise generator hidden in the system. It is perfect for drowning out a noisy coffee shop or helping you fall asleep.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Background Sounds.
- Toggle it on and choose your sound: Rain, Ocean, Stream, Balanced Noise, Bright Noise, or Dark Noise.
You can even add a "Hearing" toggle to your Control Center so you can turn the rain sounds on and off with a single swipe.
These seven tricks are just the tip of the iceberg, but integrating them into your daily routine will make you feel like a true power user. Go ahead and try setting up that Back Tap right now—it’s a game changer!