What Are Hidden iPhone Features?
Over a decade after its release, the iPhone still stands as a benchmark of superior design and user experience. Despite this, there are hidden iPhone features that you may not be aware of. Some of these hidden features are relatively old, whereas others are available through the latest iOS versions.
Now you may be wondering: What exactly are these hidden features, and how do I access them?
Worry not, fellow Apple user — that is what we are here for! In this article, we will tell you all about iPhone hidden features. So, keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about iPhone hidden features and how to access them.
What is an iPhone?
Launched in 2007, the iPhone is Apple’s flagship smartphone, arguably introducing smartphones to the mainstream global market.
Initially a single device, the iPhone has since branched into several different models and versions, all of which have advantages and disadvantages.
What is a Hidden Feature?
Before we show you how to access iPhone hidden features, it helps first to know what they are and how they are different from regular iPhone features.
In a nutshell, iPhone hidden features are iPhone and iOS features that are not immediately accessible from the UI or known to every user.
Various iPhone hidden features can range from using your iPhone's volume buttons as camera controls or Wi-Fi password sharing. Some of these are easier to access, whereas others can be a bit trickier.
Are Hidden Features Worth Using?
The answer to this depends on your goals as an iPhone user.
On the one hand, the hidden features are not an essential part of the iPhone experience; you can very well go without knowing what the hidden features are and still enjoy the full benefits of iOS and the iPhone.
On the other hand, some of these features can make your iPhone user experience much better by making specific tasks more manageable.
No matter the case, it helps to know at least a little about the hidden features and what they can do, even if you are not an iPhone power user.
5 Essential Hidden iPhone Features
Now that you know what iPhone hidden features are, here are five essential hidden iPhone features that you should know about:
1. Back Tap
First on our list is the back tap. The launch of iOS 14 introduced this hidden feature for users to access.
With the back tap feature, you can perform specific actions by tapping the back of your iPhone. This feature is a different input mode compared to the typical iPhone home button or touch screen inputs.
As an example, you can capture screenshots by double-tapping the back of your iPhone. You can also configure other actions to execute with back taps according to your preferences.
To enable the back tap feature, go to these settings in this order:
- Settings.
- Accessibility.
- Touch.
- Back Tap.
- Double Tap or Triple Tap.
2. Mirror Front Camera
Admit it: we all love taking selfies — some admittedly more than others. So, whether you are a casual picture taker or a selfie fanatic, you will find a use for this latest hidden feature introduced with iOS 14.
Traditionally, selfie images captured on any phone are mirrored to adjust for the way we are used to looking at our faces in a mirror. While this may make photos look better for some people, there are times that it can be a nuisance — especially if you are wearing clothing with text on it.
To adjust for this, iOS 14 allows users to mirror their front camera. Once you enable this option, your iPhone will automatically flip all selfie pictures horizontally.
To enable the mirror front camera feature, go to:
- Settings.
- Camera.
- Mirror Front Camera.
Note that some older iPhones may not support the mirror front camera feature.
3. Volume Buttons as Camera Controls
Speaking of taking pictures, here is a hidden feature that will make your iPhone photography experience even better: you can use your iPhone's volume buttons as camera shortcut controls.
You can access this hidden feature from the camera app alone. With the camera app open, simply press and hold the volume up or volume down buttons to record a quick video that stops recording as soon as you release the button.
If you wish to modify this hidden feature according to your preferences, you can go to:
- Settings.
- Camera.
- Enable Use Volume Up for Burst.
With this setting, you can configure the volume up or down button to capture photos in burst mode instead of recording video.
4. Add Captions to Photos
Now that you have captured the perfect picture using your iPhone’s hidden camera features, why not caption it to immortalize your moment?
With the latest iOS, you can add captions to your saved pictures in the Photos app. To do so, go to Photos, open any image that you want to caption, and swipe up; you should see a caption input where you can add your captions.
What’s more, the captions are fully searchable. So, if there is a particular picture you want to find in your iPhone’s photo album, you can simply enter that photo’s caption to display it rather than scrolling endlessly through all your photos.
5. Wi-Fi Password Sharing
Raise your hand if you have faced the following situation. You invite a friend over to your house and they ask for your Wi-Fi password. Unfortunately, even though all your devices have the password saved, you have no way to access it to share with your friends.
Well, as it turns out, there is a secret Wi-Fi password sharing feature on your iPhone which fixes this exact situation!
If you are connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone, you can connect another device to the same hotspot without having to re-enter the password using AirDrop.
Note that you need to login into your iCloud account on the other device. It also works if you have the other device’s owner’s contact information already saved in your iPhone contact list.
Final Notes
There are many hidden iPhone features that you can access which are not known to the average iPhone user.
While hidden features are not essential, you can use them nonetheless to enhance your iOS experience further.
So, whether you are a first-time iPhone user or a seasoned veteran, try some of these features out. You never know; there just might be a hidden feature that can make your iPhone experience even better!