10 iPhone tricks I use every day, and you will, too
Your phone can do more than you realize, but no one points out the countless hidden settings and features when you buy it. Sometimes, you realize you don’t know how to do something simple until you need it. Tap or click for steps to record your iPhone screen.
Here are 10 more ways to get more out of your iPhone. I bet you’ll use them again and again.
1. Markup
Markup is a powerful tool you might not even realize is there. It lets you edit screenshots and photos, add signatures to PDFs or other documents, insert text, and draw on images without downloading a third-party app.
To draw on photos:
- Open a photo from the photo and tap Edit, then the Markup button. It looks like a pencil inside a circle.
- Tap the Plus button to add Description, Text, Signature or Magnifier to zoom in.
- Once you’ve made your selection and made the edit, tap Done, then tap Done again.
2. Check if a surface is level
Next time you hang a frame, grab your iPhone instead of searching through the garage for a level. Here’s how it works:
- Open the pre-installed Measure app.
- Tap Level, then hold your iPhone against an object. Use it just as you would a normal level.
3. Delete your last 15 minutes of search history
Looking for a gift? Or maybe you’re searching for something private, like a health-related issue. It’s easy to wipe out the evidence if you use Google for your searches. Try this quick-delete option:
- Open the Google app.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top right-hand corner.
- The third option on the screen should be Delete last 15 minutes.
- There’s no confirmation button. Once you tap the button, your history will be deleted. There’s a short window in which you can undo the action.
Google knows much more than what you looked up in the last 15 minutes. Tap or click here to wipe out everything Google knows about you.
4. Make your FaceTime chats better
Let’s say a friend calls you for a FaceTime chat. You’re happy to talk, but you’re a little distracted. There’s a trick to multitasking without appearing rude.
Introduced with iOS 14, Eye Contact makes it appear like you’re keeping eye contact, even if you’re looking at another part of your screen. It even works when you’re chatting with multiple people:
- Open Settings > FaceTime.
- Slide the toggle next to Eye Contact to the right to enable it.
5. Flash notifications
Don’t want to miss a notification, but you need to keep quiet? Instead of vibrations and sounds, you can set your iPhone’s LED flash to blink when your phone is locked and silenced.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual.
- Tap LED Flash for Alerts. On the next page, slide the toggle next to LED Flash for Alerts to the right to enable it.
- Finally, choose when to have LED Flash for Alerts to happen. Slide the toggle to the right next to Flash While Unlocked to see an LED alert then. Slide the toggle to the right next to Flash in Silent Mode for those times.
6. See what’s flying overhead
Here’s a fun backyard game. Look up and guess where the airplane above you is headed. Los Angeles? New York? Paris?
Just ask Siri this phrase: “What flights are overhead?” You’ll see the carrier, flight number, and altitude in seconds.
7. Mute notifications for a conversation
The constant pings from group messages can be a little much. If you’re done with the conversation in a group message or need a break, give yourself the gift of silence:
- Touch and hold a conversation in your list of Messages.
- Tap Hide Alerts.
Tech how-to: Create and manage group chats on your iPhone
8. Correct Siri’s pronunciation
Siri is pretty intelligent, but the smart assistant has trouble with some names. You can give her some help:
- Open Contacts and select the contact you want to add a phonetic pronunciation.
- Tap Edit, then add field.
- Tap Phonetic first, middle or last name.
- Type in a phonetic spelling for your contact’s name in the Phonetic field.
- Tap Done.
If you’d rather do this with your voice, say, “Hey Siri, learn to pronounce [contact’s name].” Siri will ask how to pronounce the first and last names.
9. Undo typing with a shake
We all make mistakes when sending messages or entering text into Notes or emails. You can highlight the incorrect text or hold down the delete button, but there’s an easier way.
Shaking your phone will display an Undo Typing window with the option to Undo. Tap Undo and your words will disappear. Shake the phone again and select Redo Typing if you want them back.
10. Send your precise location
Usually, I give methods to hide your location — but sometimes you really need someone to find you. You don’t need to fiddle with your GPS app, either.
- Open a text message and tap the person’s profile pic that you want to share your location with.
- Tap Send My Current Location. Your recipient will see your location on the map.
- You can also choose Share My Location, then select the length of time you want to share your location.
Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple Siri, eye contact, FaceTime, features, Google, markup, Measure app, mute notifications, notifications, photos, screenshots, search history, settings, signatures, Smart Assistant, text, undo typing
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