Even the most avid iPhone user can find an uncountable number of settings that he or she is not aware of. In addition to regular improvements like increasing the battery life, there are those that are available to optimize the privacy level, or to use some of the built-in features which are hidden, such as a hidden button on the back of an iPhone. There are some settings that are hidden in the submenus and one cannot find them easily. This guide will expose some hacks and quick tweaks that can greatly improve the use of the iPhone.
Your iPhone might be set up to perfection, but you may be draining your battery way too quickly or, while exercising, there is no faster way to get to your workout playlist when you step into the gym. We have found the solutions to those problems and much more.
To support this storytelling, I came up with some cool features you can probably guess some of them and definitely didn’t know the others. For those who need simple tips on how to customize and get the best out of the iOS, then these 23 settings are for you.
Look at the Particularly iOS Settings That Must Be Changed Right Now
- DO NOT let apps know your current precise location
Services such as DoorDash and Postmates require you to give your precise location in order to bring you food. However, all applications on your iPhone do not require the accurate identification of the location. One feature that allows you to limit your location tracking is the ability to avoid apps from tracking your location all the time. It is possible to disable comprehensive tracking of residents’ locations.
- Go to the Settings, choose an app (for instance Instagram), press Location, and switch off Precise Location. When setting Precise Location off, the application will only be able to determine that you are in a certain area a few miles away.
Restricting the geographical position increases your privacy and durability as GPS is used less often. The employer must be able to use the phone, gain access to the internet, and basic applications while being selective in the apps that will have access to the user’s current location.
- Map the Back of Your iPhone as a Button
Your iPhone’s back can be used as a secret button to take a screenshot, turn on the low power mode, or trigger a shortcut that turns on music when you’re at the gym. For similar capability, iPhone users can use the Action Button on newer models such as iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 15, and 15 Plus; while iPhone users possessing the older models can use Back Tap for the purpose.
- Manage this feature in the Settings app, then Accessibility, then Touch, and then Back Tap, specifying whether it should react to double or triple taps. They will list the actions that you can perform just by tapping the back of your iPhone, for instance, opening the camera or even alarming the flashlight.
Back Tap can be used as an incredible tool and it can add some extra value to your iPhone usage. Thus, while it is possible to adjust these taps in the course of using the device, their customization enables the user to perform more often used operations much faster.
- Switch on Live Voicemail to obtain Transcription in Real Time
If ever there is a call that you do not wish to answer save for a very urgent call, normally, you are left with no option other than waiting for a voice mail. Thanks to iOS 17, you are able to view the actual transcription of the voice mail left as it is being left. This enables one to determine whether to answer the call or continue listening to the voicemail that is being recorded.
- To set up Live Voicemail, go to Settings, then Phone, and finally Live Voicemail, where you need to turn on the option.
Live Voicemail is a great invention if one wants to be more organized in handling calls. It enables one to filter the calls in real time, thus improving the priorities of important communication without disturbing the current tasks.
- Return Call Startup to Full Screen Popup
When the iPhone is unlocked and the owner receives a call, the application displays the banner at the top of the iPhone’s screen. However, it was not always like this; initially, calls used to take over the whole screen of the phone. While the banner is not as invasive, a portion of users stated that they like the full-screen alert since it is noticeable.
- If you want to turn the full-screen alert back on, open the Settings app, scroll down to Phone and tap on it, then scroll down to “Incoming Calls” and tap Full Screen.
Full-screen alerts are far more noticeable than the regular ones; consequently, you cannot miss the call. This setting is especially helpful if you usually miss the banner notification while on the phone.
- Dim 5G Coverage
You do not require most of the 5G coverage that you see today, so you should turn it off.
- The Smart Data function on Apple’s 5G phones toggles between 4G LTE and 5G depending on the usage, which is good but results in faster battery consumption. If you wish to save battery, you can toggle the 5G and stay with 4G LTE.
- To disable 5G, navigate to Settings, then Cellular, Cellular Data Options, and Voice & Data, then choose LTE. If so desired, you can force your iPhone to use 5G by using 5G On.
Switching off 5G can give better battery backup and this will add up in case 5G is not required or available in a particular region. It is a decision on using speed or battery charge and offers one an opportunity to set the connectivity of their phone depending on their preference.
- Fine-Tune 5G Data Usage
If you are satisfied with your 5G performance but want to limit the amount of data you use, go to Settings > Cellular > Data Mode and select from allowing more data on 5G, setting a standard mode, or a low-data mode. I have noticed that when using Allow More Data on 5G, the videos look better as well as the applications run smoothly, although, it consumes more data.
- Choose in which aspects you are ready to sacrifice performance for the sake of spending less traffic. In cases where a user has an unlimited data connection, they may find the high-performance mode more useful. Thus, it is recommended to select a lower data mode necessary to avoid overage charges.
- Stop the Multiple Apps From Disorganizing Your Home Screen
This is the place where all your applications are centralized, but new applications additionally are placed on your home screen. One of the issues is that if one downloads many applications, it results in the increase of the number of icons on the home screen.
- To prevent this, open Settings, then go to Home Screen, then choose App Library Only. In this manner, new apps will only show in the App Library but not in a list or category on the home screen.
This lessens unnecessary items on the home screen and helps navigate to the most often-used applications. This setting also ensures that the user interface is neat with enhanced performance.
- How to unlock iPhone while wearing a face mask
Face ID does not work when you have a mask on your face or have had one on recently. In iOS, to counter this issue, you have the ability to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch or face unlock with a mask on.
- To turn on the function, unlock your iPhone, open the Settings app, then go to Face ID & Passcode and make sure that Unlock with Apple Watch is on. To enable face recognition with a mask, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn on Face ID With a Mask for mask use where an Apple Watch is not worn.
It also guarantees the ease of unlocking the phone while observing the mask-wearing protocols, thereby improving the overall usability without diminishing the phone’s security.
- Safari Address Bar Back to the Upper Side
The address bar at Safari was shifted to the lower corner of the screen so that the user can tap it with one finger. If you prefer it to be at the top, you can always put it back there again.
- Switch to Settings > Safari and under the Tabs tab find and set it to the Single Tab option.
Flexibility in the position of the address bar results in better adjustment to user preference and is a clear plus to user-interface.
- Turn on Features on the Lock Screen
You might need information while not necessarily wanting to type the code to unlock the phone. iOS enables one to have options such as the notification center, the control center, and the wallet option on the screen that is locked.
- These can be tweaked by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode: the options in the Allow Access When Locked subsection have three-state sliders.
While some of the lock screen features may be disabled, letting the features displayed on the lock screen unlock important information and controls can be very helpful.
- Select Default Email and Web Browser Programs
There are other options apart from Safari and Mail to browse and for sending/receiving emails. Currently, iOS allows specifically chosen apps to act as default.
- To set the default application as the browser or email app, go to Settings, and choose the new app you wish to use (for example, Chrome or Outlook). Occupy Default Browser App or Default Mail App and select your desired app.
This customization increases efficiency since users get to work with the apps with which they are most familiar, leading to generally higher user satisfaction.
- Full Notifications as if the phone is unlocked on the Lock Screen
Originally, Face ID only shows the notification icons and the previews will only appear once your phone is unlocked. For those who would like to see all notifications fully, you have to select Settings > Notifications > Show Previews > Always.
Full notifications on the lock screen are more convenient and allow you not to miss something at first sight; however, they are less private.
- Turn off High Dynamic Range for Standard Dynamic Range
iPhones are capable of capturing HDR video and this is usually brighter with better contrasts. Nevertheless, if you wish to control the video settings on your own, HDR can be disabled by the developers.
- To disable this option, tap the Settings button, then tap the Camera icon at the top right of the screen, then tap Record Video and make sure that the high dynamic range video is set to off.
Another way in which HDR can be problematic is when you are editing the character or sharing the video on social networks that do not support it: in this case disabling HDR provides more control over the video and its quality.
- Free Your Home Screen Wallpaper
Apple has multiple wallpapers that will toggle with the dark and light modes. Click on the start and choose settings, then on the setting select wallpaper to set a new one. Install it for the capability of enabling, Dark Appearance Dims Wallpaper to change its color automatically in accordance with the system status.
Setting a wallpaper of your choice adds to the beauty of the home screen and offers user satisfaction or a ready-made favorite.
- Switch on the Dark Mode for Battery Saving
Dark mode converts app backgrounds to black for efficiency where an OLED machine is used to make the battery last long. To enable it, navigate on the settings menu to Display & Brightness and choose Dark. It also may be turned on or off in Control Center.
Turning the black and white mode provides less energy consumption and glare that allow increasing the device’s durability and users’ comfort in the evenings.
- Notifications are very effective when used with the focus mode
Focus Mode works like Do Not Disturb but it is a customized Do Not Disturb for specific situations for example working or sleeping. It can be set up by accessing the Phone’s Settings >Focus and selecting or adding mode.
Everyone knows that messages and notifications are some of the most frequent sources of distraction; Focus Mode only lets through the most important ones in order to help you stay focused on jobs.
- Adjust Screen Text Size
The best setting followed with the relative level of difficulty is obtained using the refinements setting of the iPad: click the Settings button and choose Display & Brightness, then, roll the slider of Text Size. Thus, turn on the Bold Text option for better distinction of lines.
The enhancement in text size as well as making it bolder enhances the visibility and in this way, persons with vision impaired difficulties will find it easy to use the device.
- Settling for Face ID, create an Alternate Appearance
If Face ID does not work well for you, use the option of creating an Alternate Appearance. Biometric & Security > Face ID & Passcode > Add an alternative appearance.
The inclusion of an alternate appearance increases the reliability of Face ID as it guarantees the user’s identification with the correct illumination settings.
- Turn off Auto-Brightness for Android Phone to conserve the battery
Auto-brightness works like a charm changing the brightness of the screen depending on the surrounding or environment but if you want to manage its on and off switch then it is disabled. Open your iPad settings, select Accessibility, then Display & Text Size and toggle the Auto-Brightness button off.
Another advantage of manual control is brightness because the battery can more easily be conserved by having the screen slightly less bright in darkness.
- Review Privacy Settings
Occasionally, it may be worthwhile to go through which of the downloaded apps are permitted to access the user’s personal details. You want to go to the Setting option and select Privacy in order to make changes to permissions in an application.
By going through privacy settings, users’ security is boosted and the apps in use acquire permission to access only relevant data with no breach to users’ privacy.
- Customize the Control Center
The users can also manage the existence of the buttons in the Control Center via Settings > Control Center option. For option deletion, use the red minus sign while for option addition, the green plus sign should be used.
When the pointers of Control Center are defined, users can have rapid access to the features they work with often, thus enhancing effectiveness and ease.
- Notifications can be organized with the help of the newly launched Notification Summary
It has Notification Summary that has non-urgent notifications to arrive at specific intervals of time. Check it in settings by going to Notifications and then Scheduled Summary.
Organization of notification entails removing any related material from the computer and positional arrangement of the alerts to make focus and productivity better.
- Change Siri’s Voice
Siri voice can be changed by going settings > siri & search > siri voice. There are different choices available for voices and one of which is the gender-neutral voices.
User interface and modifying the voice of Siri is one way of bringing a more aggressive feel for a virtual assistant.
Final Thoughts
It’s always important to make the necessary configurations in your iPhone because this will improve your interface experience. These changes enhance privacy, battery, accessibility, and efficiency of your iPhone, which is always desirable with any device. Spend some time and play with these settings to make your iPhone work precisely in a way you are comfortable with.