Unleashing iPhone Mastery: Hidden Tips & Tricks for Power Users

Samith Prabhath
2 min readFeb 4, 2024

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Your iPhone is more than just a communication device; it’s a pocket-sized powerhouse brimming with hidden potential. But unlocking its full potential can feel like deciphering a secret code. Fear not, fellow iPhone aficionados! This guide unveils a treasure trove of tips and tricks designed to supercharge your experience.

Master the Keyboard Maestro:

  • Trackpad Magic:

Transform your keyboard into a trackpad! Hold down the space bar while typing, and the keyboard transforms, allowing you to precisely place the cursor anywhere in the text.

  • Swift Swipes: Swipe left on the keyboard to delete a whole word, or right to move the cursor. Double-tap the space bar for a period and space. These gestures save precious seconds (and typos!)
  • QuickType Capers: Did you know the “@” symbol hides a treasure trove of symbols? Long press it to unleash a secret menu! Similarly, long-pressing other keys reveals hidden characters.

Become a Control Center Conjuror:

  • Customize Your Canvas: Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older iPhones) to access Control Center. Long press any tile to customize its actions, adding shortcuts like Low Power Mode or Screen Recording.
  • QuickTake Hero: Need to capture a fleeting moment? On iPhone 11 and later, simply press and hold the camera shutter button to instantly begin recording video. Slide your finger right to lock recording and continue filming hands-free.

Unlock the Secrets of Siri:

  • Siri Shortcuts Sorcerer: Craft personalized shortcuts for everyday tasks. Imagine telling Siri “Movie Time” to automatically dim the lights, open Netflix, and adjust the volume — all with a simple voice command!
  • Translate on the Fly: Ask Siri to translate languages in real-time. Perfect for navigating foreign menus, deciphering signs, or even casual conversation.

Battery Boosting Bonanza:

  • Widget Wisdom: Ditch unnecessary widgets that drain your battery. Long press a widget, tap “Edit Home Screen,” and remove power-hungry offenders.
  • Background App Refresh Renegades: Identify and limit apps that constantly refresh in the background, zapping your battery. Navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and make informed choices.

Bonus Round: Hidden Gems:

  • Text Replacement Wizard: Create custom text shortcuts. For example, type “@@” and it expands to your email address, saving precious typing time.
  • Live Text Detective: Point your camera at text in the real world (a menu, a poster, etc.) and tap the yellow text box to copy, translate, or even look it up online — instant magic!

Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Explore your iPhone, experiment, and discover even more hidden features waiting to be unleashed. With these tips and a dash of curiosity, you’ll be navigating your iPhone like a pro in no time!

Do you have any favorite iPhone tips or tricks? Share them in the comments below!

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Samith Prabhath
Samith Prabhath

Written by Samith Prabhath

Tech enthusiast & Medium contributor. Sharing the latest in tech updates, innovations, and insights. Passionate about writing on all things technology.

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