15 Hidden iPhone Features Most People Don't Know

By Ammar Aslam · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read

iPhones are packed with helpful features hidden in settings or behind gestures. These are some of the most useful ones.

1. Back Tap

Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap. Double- or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to take a screenshot, open the camera or turn on the torch.

2. Keyboard trackpad

Press and hold the spacebar to turn the keyboard into a trackpad and move the cursor precisely.

3. Copy text from photos (Live Text)

Point the camera at text, or open a photo, and tap the text icon. You can copy, translate or call phone numbers from images.

4. Visual Look Up

Open a photo of a plant, animal or landmark and tap the info button with a star to identify it.

5. Lift subject from background

In Photos, touch and hold the main subject of a photo to lift it out, then share or paste it as a sticker.

6. Measure app

Measure objects and people's height using the camera, and use the level to hang pictures straight.

7. Scan documents

In the Notes or Files app, tap the camera icon → Scan Documents. See scanning documents with your phone.

8. Shake or swipe to undo

Swipe left with three fingers to undo typing, or shake the iPhone.

9. Text replacement

Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement. Type "@@" to insert your email automatically. See iPhone keyboard tips.

10. Hidden and locked albums

Hide photos, and lock the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums with Face ID.

11. Background sounds

Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Background Sounds plays rain or ocean sounds to help you focus or sleep.

12. Silence unknown callers

Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers sends spam calls straight to voicemail.

13. Listen to web pages

In Safari, tap the page menu and choose Listen to Page to have articles read aloud.

14. Search from the home screen

Swipe down on the home screen to search apps, messages, photos, settings and the web.

15. Emergency SOS and Medical ID

Set these up now. See Emergency SOS and Medical ID.

Five more time-saving tricks

16. Quick Notes from anywhere

Add the Quick Note button to Control Center to jot down ideas without opening the Notes app.

17. Select many photos quickly

In Photos, tap Select, then drag your finger across and down to select a whole range of photos at once.

18. Drag and drop between apps

Touch and hold a photo, then with another finger switch apps and drop it into a message or email.

19. Share Wi-Fi with nearby Apple devices

When a friend with an iPhone tries to join your Wi-Fi, a prompt appears on your phone to share the password. See sharing Wi-Fi passwords.

20. Shortcuts automations

The Shortcuts app can automate routines, such as turning on Low Power Mode at 30% battery, sending "On my way" when you leave work, or setting a Focus when you open a study app.

How to discover more features

Open the Tips app, which introduces features for your iOS version.
Touch and hold icons and buttons; many reveal extra options.
Explore Accessibility settings; many useful features are there, not just for people with disabilities.
Read about new features after each major iOS update.

More camera tricks are in iPhone camera tips, and keyboard tricks in iPhone keyboard tips.

Frequently asked questions

Do these work on older iPhones?

Most do if you're on a recent iOS version. Some features need newer models.

Is there an Android equivalent to Back Tap?

Some Android phones offer "Quick Tap" or similar gestures in settings.

Ammar Aslam
Ammar writes clear, practical tech guides that help everyday users fix problems, stay safe online and get more from their devices.