12 hidden iPhone features it’s time to finally start using in 2026

Macworld

These days, iPhones can do a lot. And we mean a lot. From photography and navigation to gaming and AI, it’s enough to make you forget they can also, you know, make phone calls and send text messages.

With all these clever features on offer, it’s inevitable that a few will be overlooked. Whether you’re a power user or an iOS beginner, we bet there are scores of interesting and useful functions that you never knew existed–and which could help you get even more out of that expensive device.

In this article, updated for 2026, we round up some of the best iPhone features and settings you’re probably not using. (For each one we list the version of iOS you’ll need to be running; if you’re not sure, you can check this by opening the Settings app and going to General > About and checking the iOS Version field.) With our help, you’ll be an iPhone master in no time.

1. NameDrop: Easily share contacts

Works on iOS 17 and later

NameDrop, which lets you touch two iPhones together to exchange contact details, is a great example of Apple’s seamless and intelligent integration between hardware and software, and it’s something that few other phone makers could pull off.

Just bring the top ends of two iPhones close to each other and hold them there until you see a bubble-like animation show on their displays. Once that happens, NameDrop will link the two users like magic, and you can then choose the fields you want to share before exchanging your details or tap Receive Only to get their info without sending your own.

And here’s a bonus: The feature also works for sending Apple Cash to another iPhone user.

Why you should use this feature: It’s a huge time-saver. Instead of laboriously dictating your number, or opening the right app to text your details, do it easily in a flash.

2. Back Tap: Add a button to the back of your iPhone

Works on iOS 14 and later

Some iPhone features feel so natural that you wonder why you didn’t know about them before, and Back Tap certainly qualifies. With a quick double or triple tap on the back of your phone, you can open your camera app, turn on the flashlight, switch apps, and more.

To get started, open the Settings app on your iPhone and head to Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Select either Double Tap or Triple Tap, then pick an option from the extensive list. You can run system functions, activate accessibility controls, and even launch a shortcut, which is a clever way to kickstart a powerful workflow with minimal effort.

Why you should use this feature: What could be more convenient than having instant access to your most commonly used action? Having instant access to two of them.




Back Tap is like having a secret Action button on the back of your phone.David Price / Foundry

3. Visual Look Up: Use the camera to learn about nature

Works on iOS 15 and later, although newer software (and hardware) will unlock more features

How many times have you seen an animal or plant and found yourself scratching your head over what it was? With your iPhone, there’s no need to be left in doubt. Just use Visual Look Up.

Simply snap a photo of the animal or plant in question, open the image in the Photos app, then swipe up. You’ll see an option to Look Up Plant or Look Up Animal, which will show likely matches and similar images. Since the feature debuted in 2022, Apple has expanded its scope, and swiping up on other photos may give you the option to Look Up Food, Look Up Artwork and so on, while living creatures gain more specific searches such as Look Up Mammal. Who knows what Apple will add in iOS 27?

If you have an AI-compatible iPhone, you can use the Visual Intelligence feature to tap into Apple Intelligence or ChatGPT to get similar assistance. By default this feature is activated by tapping and holding the Camera Control for a couple of seconds until a new camera window bursts onto your screen. (If you haven’t got a Camera Control you can open Control Center and add it there.) Point your camera at the object in question, and an animal or plant name will appear at the top.

If it says “Maybe,” tap the name to see a few theories. If ChatGPT is more certain, it will show the name of what it thinks it is, and you can tap it to get some information.

Why you should use this feature: Knowledge is power. And learning is fun!




Now you know a little bit more about the humble aloe vera.Foundry

4. Song Recognition: Identify music

Works on iOS 14.2 and later

Shazam is a fantastic way to discover a new song or identify those earworms whose names you can’t quite remember—but you don’t need to open the Shazam app each time, or even install it. Shazam Music Recognition is now built into iOS, and you can put a handy Shazam button right into the Control Center for quick access.

Open the Control Center by swiping down from your iPhone’s top-right corner. From here, tap the + in the top-left corner, tap Add a Control, then tap the Recognize Music button (or use the search bar if you can’t spot it). The next time you hear a song you can’t identify, open the Control Center and hit the Shazam button, and it’ll identify the song within seconds.

Why you should use this feature: There’s no time to waste when a mystery song is playing.




There’s even a button to jump straight to the song in Apple Music.David Price / Foundry

5. Timer Control: Start a countdown in no time

Works on iOS 11 and later

You probably know you can set a timer without having to hunt for the Clock app, right? Simply open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right, then tap the Timer button (a clock face with a single hand pointing at eleven o’clock). If the button isn’t there, hit the plus sign and add it.

But you might not know there’s an even shorter shortcut. Tap and hold the Timer button in Control Center, and a slider will appear on the screen. Move your finger up and down the slider to adjust the duration (the increments vary from a minute to an hour as you move up the scale) and tap Start to begin.

Why you should use this feature: It’s the quickest way to set a timer. Or joint-quickest, along with “Hey Siri, set a timer for three minutes.”




This works for timers as short as one minute or as long as two hours.David Price / Foundry

6. Flashlight: Adjust the width of your beam

Works on iOS 18 and later. You’ll also need a Pro model iPhone

Everyone knows your iPhone can provide a helpful flashlight to guide you through the darkness. But did you know you can adjust both the width and distance of its beam with just a few taps?

Tap the icon on the Lock screen to turn on your phone’s flashlight (or ask Siri), and you’ll notice that a flashlight icon appears in the Dynamic Island. This isn’t just a reminder that it’s on. Tap it and you’ll be able to adjust the light beam to your requirements.

Swipe left to make the beam narrower and more intense, or right, to make it wider and more diffuse. You can also move your finger up and down to adjust the light’s strength as usual. (Note that non-Pro iPhones only get the up and down action. Sorry.)

Why you should use this feature: Because your iPhone is the flashlight you carry all the time, so you might as well make it a good flashlight.




Narrow the beam for melodramatic interrogations.Foundry

7. Measure: Use the iPhone’s hidden virtual ruler

Works on iOS 12 and later

Most people don’t walk around with a tape measure in their pocket, but there are times when you need one. Not to worry: your iPhone actually has a hidden Measure app that can help.

Open the Search bar (swipe downwards from the middle of your iPhone’s Home screen) and type “Measure” to find the app. Once opened, it’ll turn on your rear camera. To measure something, aim your phone at one point–such as the corner of an object–tap the plus (+) symbol, then move your camera to another point and tap the plus symbol again. The distance between the points will appear on your screen. You can calculate multiple lengths by tapping + again after you’ve taken the first measurement.

On iPhone 12 Pro or later, thanks to the LiDAR sensor, you can move your phone near the subject and the line will transform into a ruler that displays incremental units of length. Pro phones can also gauge the height of a person who appears in the Measure app’s viewfinder.

Why you should use this feature: It adds yet another useful tool to the iPhone’s toolbox.




If you tap the Level tab, you’ll unlock yet another handy tool.Foundry

8. Widgets: Get quick info on the Lock screen

Works on iOS 16 and later

Widgets aren’t just for the Home screen—you can add a few to your Lock screen as well to view data at a glance.

To add widgets to your Lock screen, tap and hold the screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen. Tap it. Look for a box labeled Add Widgets. Tap this, then select widgets from the list to add them to this box.

Depending on the Lock screen layout you’ve selected, the box may already contain widgets. Tap the minus sign to remove any you don’t want, then replace them with better ones.

Why you should use this feature: Want to minimise doomscrolling? Learn to accessing key information without having to unlock your phone.




There’s a huge array of widgets. Just scroll down to see what’s on offer.David Price / Foundry

9. App Tracking: Stop apps from following your activity

Works on iOS 15 and later

When you open an app for the first time, you might see a pop-up window asking if you want to let the app track you across other apps and websites. If you find yourself getting tired of repeatedly tapping “Ask App Not to Track,” there’s a simple fix that will reject tracking attempts once and for all.

Open the Settings app and navigate to Privacy & Security > Tracking, then tap the toggle next to Allow Apps to Request to Track so it turns gray. When you do this, you won’t get any more prompts about being tracked—disabling this toggle tells iOS to automatically reject all app tracking attempts on your behalf, so you can protect your privacy without all the annoying pop-ups.

Why you should use this feature: Because pop-ups are almost as annoying as intrusive tracking.

10. Default apps: Open links in the apps you want

Works on iOS 18.2 and later

For years, Apple devices have been heavily locked down, and that’s even extended to controlling your default apps for email, web browsing, and more. That’s no longer the case, though, so if you want to switch up your default apps, it’s now easier than ever.

To start customizing your app choices, open the Settings app and go to Apps > Default Apps. You’ll see several options, from email and messaging to web browsing and translation. Just tap one, then pick an app from the resulting list. Your options will be limited to apps installed on your iPhone, so make sure you’ve downloaded your apps of choice before getting started.

Why you should use this feature: Because that premium web browser you installed isn’t much use if links still open in Safari.




Developers have to apply for a place on this screen, so not every app will be available.David Price / Foundry

11. Text replacement: Give your thumbs a break

Works on iOS 12 and later

Tired of typing all the time? Use text replacement. This automatically fills out words and phrases when you enter a shortcut. For instance, you could create a text replacement shortcut that enters your email address whenever you type @@ or another that automatically capitalizes BBQ (or types out barbecue, if you’re feeling fancy) when you type bbq.

This feature can be enabled in Settings. Go to General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and tap + to add a new entry. The Shortcut box is for the condensed word or phrase you want to use, while the Phrase box is for the full version that will be inserted by your phone.

But we can be even cleverer than that. If there’s a word or phrase that you don’t want to be corrected, create a new text replacement entry and type it into the same field, but keep the Shortcut box empty. This could be handy if you have an unusual name, or frequently use a piece of jargon that autocorrect insists on changing to something else.

Why you should use this feature: Because typing omw takes less time than On my way!

12. Adaptive Power: Extend your battery life

Works on iOS 26. Requires iPhone 15 Pro or later

We’ll finish with a feature that was added in iOS 26, which came out in September 2025. And if you want to make your iPhone’s battery last that little bit longer, this is the one for you.

Open Settings and go to Battery > Power Mode. Hit the toggle labelled Adaptive Power so it turns green. iOS will now do its best to conserve power on high-usage days by dimming the screen very slightly, reducing background processes, and tweaking performance.

If you’re thinking this is just another name for Low Power Mode, think again. For a start, Low Power Mode still exists, and Adaptive Power will turn it on when your phone hits 20%. But the main factor is that Adaptive Power is designed to be a lot subtler. It uses AI to predict your needs and to make adjustments that you won’t notice. You should find you get a little more battery life without having to make noticeable compromises.

Why you should use this feature: Because your iPhone is only as useful as its battery life.