Genius iPhone Tricks

The iPhone is widely known for its elegant design and user-friendly interface, but what many users don’t realize is that it’s also packed with hidden tools, clever shortcuts, and powerful features that often go unnoticed. Whether you’re a longtime Apple enthusiast or someone who just bought their first iPhone, mastering a few genius iPhone tricks can completely transform how you interact with your device.

Android Tips Every User Should Know in 2025

1. Shake to Undo

Made a typing mistake or deleted something by accident? Don’t worry — just give your iPhone a quick shake!

How it works:

• Shake your iPhone once and a pop-up will appear asking if you want to undo the last action.
• Tap Undo to reverse the change.

It’s like Ctrl+Z for your phone, and it works in Notes, Mail, Messages, and more.

2. Hide Sensitive Photos

Have private photos you want to keep away from prying eyes? iPhone has a built-in feature to hide photos without needing third-party apps.

Steps:

• Open the Photos app.
• Select the photo(s) you want to hide.
• Tap the Share icon and choose Hide.

These photos are moved to a Hidden Album in your library. You can even hide the Hidden Album itself via Settings > Photos > Show Hidden Album.

3. Use Your Keyboard as a Trackpad

Trying to move your cursor precisely in a long message can be annoying — unless you know this trick.

How to activate:

• Long press on the spacebar while typing.
• The keyboard turns into a trackpad, allowing you to easily slide your finger and place the cursor exactly where you want.

This trick is incredibly useful for editing text and emails.

4. Tap the Back of Your iPhone to Perform Actions

This trick feels like magic. You can set your iPhone to respond to a double or triple tap on the back of your device to trigger various actions — like opening the camera, muting the phone, or launching an app.

Setup:

• Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
• Choose actions for Double Tap and Triple Tap.

This is especially handy when you need to do something quickly without unlocking your phone or navigating menus.

5. Scan Documents Using the Notes App

Gone are the days of needing a scanner. Your iPhone can scan high-quality PDFs using just the Notes app.

How to scan:

• Open Notes, tap the camera icon, and choose Scan Documents.
• Hold your phone over the document — it automatically captures and straightens the image.

This is perfect for receipts, contracts, or any paper you need to digitize on the fly.

6. Set Custom Vibration Patterns

Want to know who’s calling or texting without even looking at your phone? Set a custom vibration pattern for different contacts.

Steps:

• Go to the Contacts app, choose a contact.
• Tap Edit > Ringtone > Vibration > Create New Vibration.

Now your phone will buzz in a pattern you recognize when specific people call.

7. Silence Unknown Callers

Getting spam calls or unknown numbers that interrupt your day? iPhone lets you silence unknown callers and send them straight to voicemail.

Enable it:

• Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.

This feature lets known numbers like your contacts or recent outgoing calls ring through while blocking the rest.

8. Use Safari’s Reader View

Websites cluttered with ads and pop-ups can make reading painful. Enter Reader View, a clean, distraction-free reading mode in Safari.

How to use:

• Tap the aA icon on the top-left of the Safari address bar.
• Select Show Reader View.

It strips away ads and navigation menus, leaving you with just clean, readable content.

9. Use Siri Shortcuts to Automate Tasks

Think of Siri Shortcuts as personalized voice commands or routines. You can use them to automate tasks like texting someone, playing a playlist, turning on lights, or even starting a morning routine.

How to try it:

• Open the Shortcuts app.
• Browse the Gallery for useful pre-built actions or create your own.

Example: Say “Heading home” and your iPhone can text your partner, start your podcast, and open Maps with directions home.

10. Quickly Calculate with Spotlight Search

Need to do a quick calculation or convert units? You don’t even need a calculator app.

Steps:

• Swipe down on the Home Screen to open Spotlight Search.
• Type the math expression (e.g., 25*6) or units (e.g., “10 USD in EUR”).

Spotlight instantly shows the result — fast and effective.

11. Pin Conversations in Messages

Tired of scrolling through your Messages app to find a particular chat? You can pin conversations to the top for easier access.

How to do it:

• Open Messages.
• Swipe right on a conversation and tap the pin icon.

Pinned threads stay at the top, even when you get new messages in other chats.

12. Screen Record with a Single Tap

Want to record a tutorial or save something from social media? iPhone has a built-in Screen Recording feature.

Activate it:

• Go to Settings > Control Center > Add Screen Recording.
• Then swipe down from the top-right (on Face ID models) and tap the record icon.

It’ll capture everything happening on your screen, including audio if you enable the microphone.

13. Use AssistiveTouch for Quick Access

If you want faster access to certain features or have trouble with hardware buttons, AssistiveTouch is your best friend.

Enable it:

• Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch.

This floating button lets you access things like Home, Control Center, or gestures with a single tap — especially useful if your buttons are broken.

14. Limit App Usage with Screen Time

Want to cut down on social media or make your phone less distracting? Use Screen Time to limit app usage.

How:

• Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.
• Set daily limits for specific categories or apps.

You’ll get a warning when time’s up, helping you develop healthier phone habits.

15. AirDrop Files Instantly

Forget emailing yourself photos or fumbling with Bluetooth. AirDrop lets you share files wirelessly between Apple devices — instantly.

Steps:

• Open the file, tap Share, and select AirDrop.
• Choose the nearby device.

It’s lightning-fast and secure, making file sharing incredibly convenient.

16. Add Widgets to Your Home Screen

Widgets aren’t just for Android anymore! iPhone lets you customize your home screen with widgets for weather, calendar, fitness, and more.

To add:

• Long-press on the home screen and tap the + icon on the top left.
• Choose and drag widgets to your preferred spot.

Widgets bring useful info front and center — no need to open apps.

17. Use Focus Modes to Stay in Control

Apple’s Focus feature is like Do Not Disturb on steroids. Create custom modes for Work, Sleep, or Personal time.

Setup:

• Go to Settings > Focus and create or customize a mode.
• Choose who can reach you and which apps are allowed.

It’s an excellent way to reduce distractions and stay productive.

18. Charge Faster with Airplane Mode

In a rush? Turning on Airplane Mode while charging can speed things up by reducing background activity.

How:

• Swipe into Control Center and tap the airplane icon while charging.

You’ll shave off precious minutes — perfect for a quick top-up.

19. Use Face ID with a Mask

Recent iOS updates now allow Face ID to work with masks, using your eyes to recognize you.

Turn it on:

• Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Face ID with a Mask.

It works surprisingly well, especially in places where masks are still required.

20. Search Photos by Keyword

Looking for that one picture of your dog in a Santa costume? You can search your Photos app by objects or scenes.

Steps:

• Open Photos, tap Search, and type what you’re looking for (e.g., “dog,” “beach,” “food”).

iOS uses AI to scan and sort your photos — no tags or manual effort needed.

Final Thoughts: Unlock Your iPhone’s True Potential

Your iPhone is more than just a communication device — it’s a powerful tool filled with clever features that can save you time, boost your productivity, and make life a little easier. With these genius iPhone tricks, you’ll not only become a smarter iPhone user, but you’ll also unlock functions that many people never even know exist.

Remember, Apple continuously updates iOS with new features, so it’s worth exploring settings and apps every few months to find new tools hiding in plain sight.

Take time to test out these tricks and make your iPhone work for you, not the other way around. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.