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My Favorite Random iPhone Hacks

Edmund
By Edmund Adu Asamoah September 20 2025 • 5 min read
iPhone on a desk
Tiny settings, big wins. Here are iPhone tricks I actually use.

This isn’t a specs list. It’s the random iPhone stuff I show friends and they go “wait, do that again.” Quick wins, tiny toggles, and a few power moves hiding in Settings.

Most take under a minute to try. None require jailbreaking or weird apps. Save time, reduce taps, and make your phone feel smarter.

Setup time
~5 mins
Extra taps saved
Hundreds
Works on
Most recent iOS
Skill level
Beginner → Pro

No jailbreak. No weird apps. Just built‑in features and one or two Shortcuts.

Quick wins you can try now

  • Back Tap shortcuts: Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap. Map double‑tap to Screenshot or Shazam, triple‑tap to your favorite Shortcut.
  • Keyboard trackpad: long‑press the space bar to move the cursor precisely; two fingers to select text fast.
  • Spotlight = calculator/converter: swipe down and type 12*7 or 50 usd in gbp. No app needed.
  • Screen record with mic: Control Center → long‑press Record → toggle Microphone On for narrated clips.

Hidden settings that slap

  • Haptic keyboard: Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Keyboard Feedback → Haptic. Feels way better.
  • LED flash for alerts: Settings → Accessibility → Audio/Visual → LED Flash for Alerts. Handy in loud rooms.
  • Wi‑Fi passwords on device: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the “i” → Show Password (Face ID). Share without asking the router sticker.
  • Sound Recognition: Settings → Accessibility → Sound Recognition. Detects doorbells, alarms, a baby crying — with on‑device notifications.

Camera speed‑runs

  • QuickTake video: hold the shutter in Photo mode to start video instantly; slide right to lock.
  • Burst on volume up: Settings → Camera → toggle Use Volume Up for Burst. Hold to capture action.
  • Level for flat shots: in Camera settings enable Level to get perfectly straight photos from above.

Live Text & instant actions

  • Copy text from photos: long‑press text in a photo to copy/translate, or tap phone numbers to call directly.
  • Scan straight to Notes: Notes → camera icon → Scan Text to paste from the viewfinder.

Shortcuts that feel like magic

  • Auto‑enable Low Power at 30%: Shortcuts → Automations → Battery Level → Below 30% → set Low Power Mode.
  • Back Tap → Open Spotify or Camera: create a Shortcut, then map it to Back Tap for instant launch.
  • Arrive at Gym → Start Focus + Playlist: location‑based automation that flips Focus and starts music.
iPhone home screen Using iPhone in hand

Try these next

  • Make a Smart Stack widget with your most‑used apps.
  • Long‑press Control Center tiles (Timer, Notes, Flashlight) for hidden actions.
  • NameDrop your contact card to a friend by bringing phones together.
  • Silence unknown callers to cut spam without missing real people.

Got a sleeper hack I missed? Drop it in the comments. I’ll test it and add the best ones here.

Make your phone work for you

Pick one or two tweaks today. If it saves you even five taps a day, that’s wins on autopilot.

  • Turn on Back Tap and map it to something you do daily.
  • Enable haptic keyboard, you’ll never go back.
  • Set one Shortcut automation (battery, location, or time of day).
Tell me your first step Work with me
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