Possibly you simply received your first iPhone, or possibly you’ve got been an iPhone person because the very starting, however there are in all probability a couple of settings that you have by no means tweaked earlier than. Possibly you’ve got discovered some tips that will help you enhance your battery life, however have you learnt learn how to improve your privateness or entry the key button on the again of your telephone? A few of the choices are buried fairly deep within the settings and are not so intuitive. We’ll present you some hacks and fast fixes that may end up in a way more satisfying iPhone expertise.
Possibly you are already arrange however uncover you are burning via battery life too shortly, otherwise you wish to save a while and arrange a shortcut to show in your favourite exercise playlist as quickly as you stroll into the health club. We have got you coated.
You are sure to search out some cool customization choices, together with some that you recognize and others that you simply may need by no means heard of. Need to declutter your house display screen? Use your battery rather less all through the day. You are able to do all that and extra with these 23 iOS settings to optimize your telephone’s efficiency.
If you need to try different iOS options, try learn how to unlock your iPhone’s hidden trackpad together with the remainder of our iOS 17 ideas and tips.
Take a Nearer Take a look at the iOS Settings You Ought to Change Proper Now
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1. Cease apps from monitoring your actual location
Apps like Doordash and Postmates require your actual location to ship meals to the fitting location or on to you. That does not imply each software in your iPhone must know exactly the place you’re at each second. That is why you have got the flexibility to stop an app from monitoring your actual location.
Within the Settings app, select an software (like Instagram, for instance), faucet Location after which toggle off Exact Location. Any app with Exact Location off will solely know your approximate location, inside a couple of miles.
Do not toggle this function off for apps that require actual location, like meals supply and navigation providers.
2. Flip the again of your iPhone right into a button
The again of your iPhone can be utilized as a secret button to activate sure actions akin to taking a screenshot, enabling low energy mode or operating a shortcut that may robotically play music once you arrive on the health club. The Motion Button on the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max, iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max fashions do the identical, however in case you have an older mannequin, the again of your iPhone works.
The choice is hidden deep in your settings; here is learn how to discover it.
Within the Settings app, go to Accessibility > Contact > Again Faucet and select one among two choices: double faucet or triple faucet. You need to see an inventory of actions you possibly can run by tapping the again of your iPhone, like opening your digital camera, turning on the flashlight and scrolling up and down. Faucet an motion or shortcut to allow it with Again Faucet.
Faucet on the again of your telephone to do every kind of fancy tips.
3. Allow Dwell Voicemail to get real-time voicemail transcriptions
You get a name and do not wish to essentially choose up except it is vital. Sadly, the one approach you will know is for those who take heed to a voicemail left after the decision. With iOS 17, you possibly can learn a real-time transcription of any voicemail being left. That is proper: If somebody is leaving you a voicemail, you possibly can learn it in your telephone and select to choose up the decision, connecting you with the particular person leaving the voicemail.
The Dwell Voicemail function is not on by default, so go to Settings > Cellphone > Dwell Voicemail and switch it on. That is it.
4. Deliver again full-screen incoming name alerts
In case your iPhone is unlocked and also you obtain a telephone name, a banner-style notification seems on the prime of your display screen, with a small photograph and identify or variety of the particular person calling, and the choices to choose up or deny the decision.
This wasn’t all the time the default possibility. Up to now, incoming calls would take over your whole show when your iPhone was unlocked. It was disruptive, positive, however it additionally received the job accomplished. The banner could also be a welcome change for a lot of as a result of it is extra discreet and lets you use your telephone whereas receiving a name.
If for any purpose you are not an enormous fan of the banner and wish to revert to the extra attention-grabbing full-screen alert, go to Settings > Cellphone > Incoming Calls and faucet Full Display screen.
This incoming name alert is not best for everybody.
5. Flip off 5G protection you do not need or have
Apple touts a Sensible Information function that is particular to its 5G telephones that may robotically change between 4G LTE and 5G networks primarily based on the way you’re utilizing your gadget. You could discover that your iPhone’s battery drains quicker than it did earlier than. When you do not wish to sacrifice battery life for quicker 5G speeds, shut it down. You may all the time flip 5G again on once you need it, or when service in your space improves.
To flip off 5G in your iPhone, forcing it to all the time use 4G LTE (even in case you have 5G protection), open the Settings app, then go to Mobile > Main > Voice & Information and faucet LTE. Alternatively, if you need your iPhone to completely use a 5G connection when out there, you possibly can choose 5G On.
5G is good in case you have entry, however it will also be a battery hog.
6. Superb-tune how a lot information is utilized by a 5G connection
When you’re glad along with your 5G efficiency, here is a network-related setting you need to try. Go to Settings > Mobile > Main > Information Mode, the place you will discover three choices: Enable Extra Information on 5G, Commonplace and Low Information Mode.
Although you possibly can learn transient descriptions beneath the three settings, they do not paint an entire image of the primary possibility. In response to an Apple assist doc, permitting extra information on 5G offers you high-quality video and FaceTime calls. It additionally lets your telephone obtain software program updates and stream high-definition Apple TV and Apple Music content material, and it permits third-party builders to enhance their respective apps.
The default setting on this web page will rely in your service and information plan, so it is a good suggestion to verify your iPhone and ensure it is accurately set to your choice.
7. Cease apps from cluttering up your house display screen
The App Library is a spot the place you possibly can shortly discover and entry all your functions. And whereas apps are housed right here, all newly downloaded apps additionally seem on your house display screen. This might not be an issue for those who obtain apps sparingly, however for those who’re putting in new apps on a constant foundation, they’ll shortly muddle up your house display screen.
To cease downloaded apps from showing on your house display screen, go to Settings > House Display screen & App Library and choose App Library Solely. If you wish to discover the app, you will must swipe left on your house display screen till you attain the App Library.
This setting will stop your house display screen from getting too messy.
8. Unlock your telephone whereas sporting a face masks
When you put on a masks in public, unlocking your iPhone with Apple’s Face ID know-how may be irritating. As a result of half of your face is roofed, Face ID simply does not work. And whereas coming into your passcode to unlock your telephone works, it isn’t as handy.
With iOS, you have got the choice to activate a face unlock function that makes it simple to unlock your iPhone once you’re sporting a face masks. Earlier than the replace, you can solely unlock your iPhone if you owned an Apple Watch.
To unlock your iPhone along with your Apple Watch, open the Settings app in your iPhone after which open the Face ID & Passcode possibility. Scroll down till you discover the Unlock with Apple Watch part (you have to be linked to an Apple Look ahead to the setting to look), the place you possibly can activate the function for any watches linked to your iPhone.
You probably have an iPhone operating iOS 15.4 or later, you possibly can unlock your iPhone whereas sporting a masks with out an Apple Watch. Go to the Settings app and open Face ID & Passcode. From there, you possibly can toggle on the Face ID With a Masks possibility. It is fairly superior.
You may unlock your iPhone along with your Apple Watch if Face ID is not working.
9. Put the tackle bar in Safari again on prime
The tackle in Safari migrated to the underside of the display screen a couple of years again; welcome for these with smaller arms who had issue reaching it with one hand on the prime. Whereas this transfer would possibly really feel extra pure, because it’s nearer to the keyboard and the place you usually place your thumbs, it may be off-putting since some persons are used to seeing the URL bar close to the highest of the display screen.
If you wish to put the tackle bar again on the prime of the display screen, go to Settings, faucet Safari and select the Single Tab possibility beneath the Tabs subheading.
10. Add options that can be utilized when your iPhone is locked
There are occasions once you would possibly wish to have sure information helpful even when your telephone is locked. That is why Apple lets you allow some options with out having to unlock your units, such because the notification middle, Management Heart, the flexibility to answer to messages and the Pockets app.
To customise the options you’d prefer to entry on the lock display screen, launch the Settings menu, faucet Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode when prompted. Scroll down till you see the Enable Entry When Locked part, and toggle the sliders primarily based in your preferences.
You may resolve which options you wish to entry when your telephone is locked.
11. Make your favourite e mail app or internet browser your default
It is not all about Safari. In your iPhone, you have got the flexibility to decide on your personal default apps, no less than for e mail and internet looking. That implies that once you faucet a hyperlink or an e mail ship button, your iPhone will robotically launch the net browser or e mail supplier of your selecting slightly than Safari or Mail.
To get began, open the Settings menu and choose the app you’d prefer to set as a default (akin to Google Chrome or Outlook). You need to then see a button that claims Default Mail App or Default Browser App. Faucet that possibility and choose the app of your selecting as an alternative of Safari or Mail.
You not have to make use of Safari or Mail as default apps.
12. Get full notifications in your lock display screen
The primary time you expertise Apple’s Face ID tech, you will discover you could’t see the content material of recent alerts and notifications on the lock display screen. For instance, as an alternative of seeing who despatched you a textual content message and what it says, you will solely see a generic Messages alert.
By default, all iPhones with Apple’s Face ID tech will cover the content material of an alert till you choose up your telephone and unlock it. It is a privateness function that I slightly get pleasure from, however I additionally perceive the way it may very well be annoying (I’ve heard a couple of complaints from readers and relations alike).
You may change how notifications seem in your lock display screen by going to Settings > Notifications > Present Previews and deciding on At all times. Conversely, you possibly can choose By no means if you wish to maintain the content material of your notifications all the time hidden from the lock display screen.
13. Flip off (or on) HDR video for sharing movies
The iPhone can document excessive dynamic vary (HDR) video with Dolby Imaginative and prescient. Meaning your movies are usually brighter, with extra correct colours and improved distinction. That could be best for some, but when you do not need movies which might be robotically adjusted since you wish to do it by yourself, there’s a solution to disable the function.
You may flip off HDR video by going to Settings > Digicam > Document Video and turning the change subsequent to HDR Video to the Off place. Going ahead, all movies can be captured in the usual dynamic vary.
HDR video seems nice, however it does not work in every single place but.
14. Customise your house display screen with fancy wallpaper
One other dwelling display screen tweak you need to make entails your wallpaper or background. Apple has many wallpapers of its personal, with a fairly cool twist.
Open the Settings app in your iPhone and choose Wallpaper from the listing. Be sure that the change labeled “Darkish Look Dims Wallpaper,” which you will see beneath the 2 thumbnail previews of your wallpaper, is turned on. Now, faucet Select a brand new wallpaper and choose both Stills or Dwell. Search for the circle close to the underside of every wallpaper. It is half black, half white.
That circle implies that the wallpaper has each mild and darkish mode variations and can change robotically primarily based on the system standing of your telephone.
You can even set dwell wallpapers as your background for those who’re not bought on darkish and light-weight mode.
On an iPhone with 3D Contact, you need to use a third-party app to play longer-duration “Dwell” images in your lock display screen.
15. Activate darkish mode to save lots of your battery
Talking of darkish mode, for those who do not wish to must repeatedly modify your display screen’s brightness, you need to use your telephone’s devoted darkish mode. Darkish mode converts all the white backgrounds in apps to, as a rule, a black background. In flip, your telephone is ready to save battery energy due to the darker colours.
Flip it on by going to Settings > Show & Brightness and deciding on the Darkish possibility on the prime of the display screen. You can even simply swipe down from the top-right of your iPhone and faucet the Darkish mode icon within the Management Heart.
Apple’s apps will robotically change to a darkish colour scheme, and most third-party apps have additionally adopted the function.
Darkish Mode on the iPhone positive seems good.
16. Handle your notifications with Focus Mode
We get plenty of notifications daily, however not all of them are related on a regular basis. That is why Apple launched a function known as Focus Mode. Consider it as a customized Do Not Disturb function that is tailor-made to particular circumstances.
Focus Mode blocks much less related alerts whereas permitting notifications from vital folks and apps to come back via in order that you do not miss something. You may arrange various kinds of Focus Modes for particular circumstances.
Apple at the moment gives choices for Do Not Disturb, private, sleep, work, driving, health, gaming, mindfulness and studying, however you may as well create your personal customized mode. You may schedule Focus Modes in order that they activate robotically when wanted and show your standing in apps in order that others know you have got notifications silenced.
To get began, open the Settings menu, faucet Focus and select one of many out there choices to arrange your notification preferences. Faucet the plus (+) image within the prime proper nook so as to add a brand new Focus.
17. Make your display screen textual content larger or smaller
With a few faucets in your iPhone’s display screen, you possibly can modify the font measurement to make it simpler to learn. Open Settings and go to Show & Brightness > Textual content Dimension the place you need to use the slider till you are pleased with the font measurement. For a bit of added oomph, you possibly can activate Daring Textual content (it is slightly below the Textual content Dimension button).
18. Add an alternate look to Face ID
Apple’s facial recognition function, Face ID, always learns totally different facets of your face with every scan. When you’re struggling to get Face ID to constantly acknowledge you, strive the Alternate Look possibility.
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > enter your PIN > Set Up An Alternate Look and undergo the method of enrolling your face once more.
Face ID does not all the time get it proper.
19. Disable auto-brightness for longer battery cost
Your iPhone’s display screen brightness degree can have a huge impact on battery life. By default, iOS will robotically modify the show’s brightness primarily based on how a lot mild its ambient sensor detects. If you wish to take full management, you possibly can disable auto brightness, that means the brightness degree will keep the place you set it till you modify it once more.
Open Settings > Accessibility > Show & Textual content Dimension and on the backside of the web page, you will discover a change to show off Auto-Brightness.
Now, everytime you wish to modify your display screen, you are able to do so by opening Management Heart with a swipe up from the underside of the display screen on a tool with a house button, or a swipe down from the top-right nook on newer iPhones.
Maintain your display screen dim to save lots of battery life.
20. Triage your privateness settings
The primary time you arrange an iPhone with all your apps, you are bombarded with prompts asking for permission to entry private data starting from monitoring your location to your Apple Well being data or your digital camera roll.
It’s miles too simple to get within the behavior of approving all the things simply so you need to use the app, however take a couple of minutes and undergo your privateness settings to tailor what every app can and might’t see. We stroll you thru the entire privateness course of in two fast steps.
Apple has put all of its privateness controls in a single place.
21. Use the Management Heart to entry apps with a swipe or faucet
The iPhone’s Management Heart is a handy spot to shortly change songs, activate airplane mode, hook up with Wi-Fi or begin a timer, however there’s a lot extra to it than that. You may shortly flip in your flashlight, verify on a timer or begin recording your display screen with a fast swipe and faucet.
Customise which apps and options can be found in Management Heart by opening Settings > Management Heart. Take away an possibility with a faucet on the pink minus button or add an possibility by deciding on the inexperienced addition button. Drag options up or down utilizing the three-line icon on the fitting aspect of the display screen.
Personally, I like having fast entry to the Pockets app and toggles for low-power mode and darkish mode.
As a reminder, in case you have an iPhone with a house button, just like the iPhone SE, you possibly can swipe up from the underside of the display screen to open Management Heart. You probably have an iPhone with Face ID, you will have to swipe down from the top-right nook of the display screen the place the battery icon is.
Management Heart has plenty of potential; you simply have to customise it.
22. Manage alerts with Notification Abstract
Apple desires that will help you handle your notifications in iOS, beginning with the Notification Abstract function. Moderately than letting notifications pile up on your house display screen, you possibly can schedule alerts that are not pressing to reach in a bundle at a selected time of day.
Necessary notifications like calls, direct messages and different time-sensitive alerts (just like the standing of your Uber or Lyft journey, for instance) will nonetheless seem instantly.
To do this out, open Settings, press Notifications and faucet Scheduled Abstract.
23. Change Siri’s voice
When you’ve just lately arrange a brand new iPhone, you will have observed that Siri not defaults to a feminine voice. As a substitute, you will be requested which Siri voice you wish to use, together with a number of newer choices. As soon as you’ve got made your choice, Apple will change Siri’s voice throughout all the units linked to your Apple ID.
You may try the voice choices by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice. To study extra, try our full information to altering Siri’s sound. Apple additionally added a gender-neutral Siri voice possibility for English audio system.
Regardless of what number of settings you toggle on and off, battery life will all the time be a problem, particularly for those who’re touring and do not all the time have entry to your quick charger. When you’re always on the go and wish some juice, think about getting this reasonably priced and slim MagSafe charger that may cost your iPhone from zero to 50% in simply half-hour.
Particulars
For extra, listed here are 17 hidden options on our iPhone you need to learn about and annoying iPhone options you are able to do one thing about.
