Site icon Bigbasket Lifestyle Blog

Hidden iOS Features That Will Change How You Use Your iPhone

BigBasket

Most of us use our iPhones every day without giving much thought to what they’re actually capable of. We send messages, take photos, check emails, scroll through social media and call it a day.

But every now and then, you stumble across a feature that makes you stop and think, “Wait, my iPhone can do that?”

The truth is, iOS is packed with useful tools and shortcuts that many people never discover. Some can save you time, some can make everyday tasks easier and a few are simply too good to ignore. Here are some hidden iOS features that might just change the way you use your iPhone.

1. Tap the Back of Your iPhone to Perform Actions

One of the most useful hidden features is Back Tap. Your iPhone can recognize taps on its back and use them as shortcuts. You can double-tap or triple-tap the back of your device to take a screenshot, open the camera, lock the screen, launch an app or activate other functions. It feels like discovering a secret button you never knew existed.

How to use it

  1. Open Settings and go to Accessibility.
  2. Tap Touch > Back Tap.
  3. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap and assign an action.

2. Copy Text Directly from Photos

Ever received a photo containing an address, phone number or Wi-Fi password and wished you could simply copy it? With Live Text, you can. Open a photo, tap and hold the text and you’ll be able to copy, search, translate or share it just like regular text. It works on screenshots, saved images and even photos taken with your camera. It’s one of those features that becomes impossible to live without once you start using it.

How to use it

  1. Open Settings and choose General > Language & Region 
  2. Ensure Live Text is toggled on
  3. Choose Copy, Translate, Look Up or Share.

3. Use Your iPhone as a Document Scanner

Need to scan a document but don’t have a scanner nearby? Your iPhone can do it in seconds. Open the Notes app, create a new note, tap the camera icon and select “Scan Documents.” The iPhone automatically detects edges, straightens pages, and creates a clean digital copy. Perfect for contracts, receipts, forms, and handwritten notes.

How to use it

  1. Open the Notes app and create a new note.
  2. Tap the camera icon and select Scan Documents.
  3. Point your camera at the document and save the scan.

4. Turn Photos Into Instant Stickers

A fun feature introduced in recent iOS versions allows you to lift subjects directly from photos. Simply press and hold a person, pet or object in an image. The iPhone will separate it from the background, allowing you to copy, share or turn it into a sticker for Messages.

It’s surprisingly accurate and makes conversations a lot more creative.

How to use it

  1. Open a photo in your gallery.
  2. Press and hold the subject in the image.
  3. Tap Add Sticker or Copy to use it elsewhere.

5. Quickly Find Anything with Spotlight Search

Many people use Spotlight only to find apps. In reality, it’s one of the most powerful tools on the iPhone. Swipe down from the home screen and search for:

Instead of opening multiple apps, you can often find what you need in seconds from a single search bar.

How to use it

  1. Swipe down from the middle of your Home Screen.
  2. Type what you’re looking for.
  3. Tap the result to open it instantly.

6. Schedule Messages for Later

Have a message you don’t want to forget to send? Recent iOS updates allow users to schedule messages in advance. This can be helpful for birthday wishes, work reminders, or important follow-ups. Instead of relying on memory, let your iPhone handle the timing for you.

How to use it

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Type your message and access the scheduling option.
  3. Choose the date and time you want it sent.

7. Use Visual Look up to Learn About Objects

Have you ever seen a plant, landmark, animal or food item and wondered what it was? Visual Look Up can help. Just open a photo and let your iPhone analyze it. In many cases, it can identify plants, pets, landmarks, artwork and more. It’s like having a pocket-sized encyclopaedia built into your camera roll.

How to use it:

  1. Open a photo containing the object.
  2. Look for the Visual Look Up icon.
  3. Tap it to view information and suggestions.

8. Hide Sensitive Photos

Not every photo needs to be visible in your main gallery. The Hidden Album feature allows you to move selected photos into a separate protected folder. On newer iPhones, this album can be locked using Face ID, adding an extra layer of privacy. It’s a simple but effective way to keep personal content secure.

How to use it

  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Select the photos you want to hide.
  3. Tap More > Hide.

9. Share Wi-Fi Passwords Instantly

Typing long Wi-Fi passwords can be frustrating. If someone nearby is using an Apple device, your iPhone can securely share the password with just a tap. No need to spell out complicated combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s one of those small conveniences that makes Apple’s ecosystem feel as easy as ever,

How to use it

  1. Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
  2. Bring the devices close together.
  3. Tap Share Password when the prompt appears.

10. Set Multiple Timers

For years, iPhone users had to rely on a single timer. Thankfully, newer iOS versions now support multiple timers simultaneously. Whether you’re cooking, exercising, studying, or managing different tasks at work, you can keep track of several countdowns at once without needing third-party apps.

How to use it

  1. Open the Clock app.
  2. Create your first timer.
  3. Add additional timers as needed.

11. Lock or Hide Apps for Extra Privacy

If you occasionally hand your phone to friends, family members or children, app privacy features can be incredibly useful. Recent iOS updates allow you to lock certain apps behind Face ID or hide them entirely from your home screen. This adds an extra layer of security for apps containing personal information.

How to use it

  1. Press and hold the app icon.
  2. Select the privacy or security option.
  3. Use Face ID to lock or hide the app.

12. Create Custom Shortcuts

The Shortcuts app is one of the most powerful tools on iPhone, yet many users never open it. With Shortcuts, you can automate repetitive tasks such as:

Once set up, these automations can save time every day.

How to use it

  1. Open the Shortcuts app.
  2. Tap the + button to create a shortcut.
  3. Choose actions and save your automation.

The iPhone is packed with features that often go unnoticed because they’re tucked away inside menus or introduced quietly through software updates. But all these hidden tools can make your device smarter, faster and more convenient to use. 

The best part is that most of them don’t require any extra apps or subscriptions. They’re already sitting on your iPhone, waiting to be discovered. Spend a few minutes exploring these features, and you may find yourself using your iPhone in ways you never thought possible.

Don’t have an iPhone yet? Browse our collection and find the perfect model to experience these powerful iOS features for yourself.

You may also like:

Serotonin vs. Sleep: Why You’re Up at 3 AM
Exit mobile version