Got a New iPhone? Try These 22 Tips to Use It Like a Pro

Just got your hands on the all-new iPhone 17? Congratulations! Apple’s latest flagship delivers a sleek design, exceptional performance, and plenty of new features that take the iPhone experience to another level. Whether you’ve switched from Android or upgraded from an older iPhone, there’s a lot to explore.

To help you make the most of your new device, here are 22 must-try iPhone tips and tricks that’ll make you feel like a pro from day one.

1. Customize AssistiveTouch Gestures

With AssistiveTouch, you can perform quick actions like taking screenshots or opening the Camera with just one tap.

Here’s how to take screenshots using AssistiveTouch:

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1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → AssistiveTouch
   
   
2. Toggle on AssistiveTouch.
3. Select Single-Tap.
4. From the options, select Screenshot.
   
5. Now, tap the small grey icon to capture your screen instantly. This is just one example. AssistiveTouch can do much more.

2. Swipe to Type Faster

Introduced with iOS 13, QuickPath swipe typing lets you glide across letters instead of tapping them. Once you get the hang of it, it’s faster and smoother than traditional typing.

Try it in any text field by swiping across each letter in a word like “iGeeksBlog” without lifting your finger.

3. Create Text Replacements  

If you often type the same phrases, Text Replacement can save you time. For example, you can make “hp” expand into “hyperrealism and Photorealism.”

Set it up by going to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, and add your shortcuts.

4. Maximize Battery Life

Battery draining too quickly? Extend your iPhone’s battery life by turning off Location Services, enabling Auto-Brightness, and placing your phone face down when not in use.

You’ll be surprised how much difference these small changes can make.

5. Take Selfies Using Headphones

No selfie stick? No problem. Connect your wired headphones or Bluetooth earbuds, open the Camera, and press the volume button to snap a selfie.

It’s perfect for hands-free shots or group selfies from a distance.

6. Customize Your Control Center

Add your most-used tools to the Control Center for easy access.

Here’s how you can customize the Control Center on iPhone:

1. Swipe down from the top right to pull down the Control Center.
2. Tap the “+” button at the top left corner.
3. Tap Add a Control at the bottom center..
4. Select the widget you want to add to the Control Center.
5. You can also long-press any empty space in the Control Center, then adjust the widget positions and sizes.

7. Quickly Delete Numbers in Calculator

Accidentally typed the wrong digit? Just swipe left or right on the number display in the Calculator app to delete the last entry instead of starting over.

8. Lock Your iPhone to a Single App

With Guided Access, you can lock your iPhone to one app, which is ideal for lending your phone to kids or guests.

To set up Guided Access:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Accessibility.
3. Scroll down and select Guided Access.
4. Toggle on Guided Access.
   
   
5. Tap Passcode Settings.
6. Tap Guided Access Passcode.
   Set your passcode: You’ll need to provide this when turning off Guided Access.
7. Optional: Toggle on Face ID or Touch ID as an added security for Guided Access.

Once set up, you can open and lock any app. For instance, open the Photos app. Now, press the side (power) button thrice to activate guided access and lock your iPhone to the Photos app.

Note: Double-press the side button to switch off Guided Access using Face ID. To use your passcode, press the side button thrice and enter your passcode.

9. Stop Music Automatically with a Timer

Set your iPhone to stop playing music after a set time, perfect for bedtime playlists.

1. Launch the Clock app.
2. Tap Timer at the bottom right.
3. Slide the figures to the corresponding hour, minute, and seconds that you want.
4. Tap When Timer Ends.
5. Scroll to the bottom and select Stop Playing.
6. Tap Set at the top right.
   
7. Select Start to start timing your music.

You can now play your music while asleep or busy; the timer will stop it at the specified time.

10. Measure Objects or Height

If your iPhone has a LiDAR scanner (iPhone 12 Pro or newer), open the Measure app to check dimensions or even someone’s height using AR.

11. Set up Back Tap Gestures

You can assign shortcuts to a double or triple tap on the back of your iPhone.

To activate gestures for Back Tap:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Accessibility.
3. Tap Touch.
4. Scroll down and select Back Tap.
5. Here, pick a gesture from the list for the Double Tap or Single Tap action.

Now, single-tap or double-tap the Apple logo behind your iPhone to see the magic unfold. If you are having trouble setting up Back Tap, try these fixes.

12. Save Your Email Signature

Want your email signature added automatically?

To set up and save your email signature on iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Mail.
2. Here, scroll to the bottom and tap Signature.
3. Type your signature in the field.
4. Tap Per Account and Add your Signature.
   

Now, try sending a message using the built-in Mail app. Your signature will be added at the end.

13. Make the Most of Siri

Siri can do far more than simple searches. You can:

• How to use Type to Siri on iPhone, iPad and Mac (Apple Intelligence)
• Get Siri to read emails, articles, and other text on iPhone
• Use Siri offline on iPhone (without the internet)

It’s worth exploring these time-saving features in your settings.

14. Unlock your iPhone with Your Voice

Although not the most secure option, you can use Voice Control to unlock your iPhone. Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings → Accessibility.
2. Select Voice Control.
3. Toggle on Voice Control.
4. Tap Customize Commands.
   
   
5. Tap Create New Command.
   Type a phrase or word you can easily remember.
6. Tap Action and select Run Custom Gesture.
   
   
   Ensure that the points you tap correspond to your passcode combinations. Otherwise, this fails.
7. Tap Save at the top right.
   
   
8. Next, tap New Command at the top left to go back.
9. Finally, tap Save.

Now, say the phrase or word you entered earlier to unlock your iPhone. If you forgot your iphone passcode, you can check out our guide.

15. Stop Apps from Tracking You

Take control of your privacy by turning off tracking requests.

Here’s how:

1. Launch Settings.
2. Go to Privacy → Select Tracking.
3. Toggle off Allow Apps to Request to Track.

To prevent a specific app from tracking you, check out our guide on how to stop iPhone apps from tracking you.

16. Bundle and Schedule Notifications

Too many alerts? Use Notification Summary to group them and schedule when they appear.

Go to Settings → Notifications → Scheduled Summary, and choose the apps and times that work best for you.

17. Use Live Text

With Live Text, you can copy text from images or photos and even call phone numbers detected in pictures.

Just point your camera at text, tap the indicator, and choose “Copy” or “Call.”

18. Create Custom Shortcuts

Use the Shortcuts app to automate tasks like turning on Low Power Mode when the battery hits 20% or sending a daily reminder message.

Check out Apple’s gallery of pre-made shortcuts to get started.

If you are curious, you can check our in-depth guide on how to create shortcuts on iPhone and iPad.

19. Change Panorama Directions

This photographic trick is for those who love to display the beauty around them in a unique dimension. Panoramic photos, when taken professionally, are always worth a stare. They give the world a rounded, unbroken perspective.

Want to exhibit your panoramic photographic skills using your iPhone? It’s simple:

1. Launch Camera.
2. Slide Camera modes at the bottom and select Pano.
3. Tap the round dot to start recording.
4. Move your camera slowly along the direction of the arrow.
5. Tap the arrow to change directions.
6. Next, tap the stop icon to save the photo.
   

20. Access Spotlight Search Anywhere

Swipe down from the middle of your Home Screen (or within apps) to use Spotlight Search. You can find apps, contacts, files, or even web results without leaving your current screen.

21. Lock Private Notes

Keep sensitive notes secure by locking them. In the Notes app, swipe left on a note, tap the lock icon, and set a passcode or Face ID.

Check out our comprehensive guide on locking the Note app on iPhone or iPad.

22. Add Widgets to Your Home Screen

Customize your Home Screen by adding widgets for weather, battery status, or favorite apps.

1. Long-tap a space on your Home Screen.
2. Tap the Edit button at the top left corner.
3. Select Add Widgets in the drop-down menu.
   
4. Locate and select the Widget you want to add..
5. Next, select the widget style and tap the Add Widget button.
   

Final thoughts

Whether you’re new to iPhone or upgrading from an older model, these tricks can help you discover hidden gems and personalize your experience. Try them out and you’ll be surprised how much smoother and smarter your iPhone feels.

Read more:

• How to check if you need to replace your iPhone battery
• Where to sell your old iPhone
• How to find the owner of a lost or stolen iPhone or iPad
• How to use T9 dialing on an iPhone