10 Hidden iPhone Features You Didn’t Know About

Did you know your iPhone has hidden features to make your life easier? While Apple introduces new updates every year, most users are still unaware of many powerful settings. These iPhone tips and tricks can boost productivity, enhance security, and improve overall user experience without requiring third-party apps.

From secret gestures and shortcuts to custom automation and hidden settings, these features help you get the most out of your iPhone. Whether you want to save time, improve privacy, or customize your device like a pro, this guide will reveal 10 hidden iPhone features that you probably didn’t know about.

Get ready to unlock the best iOS 2025 settings that can take your iPhone experience to the next level! 

2. Back Tap hidden iPhone Feature

One of the most underrated hidden iPhone features is Back Tap, a feature that lets you perform actions by simply double-tapping or triple-tapping the back of your iPhone. Introduced in iOS 14, this feature is still unknown to many users and remains a game-changer in iPhone accessibility and shortcuts.

How to Enable Back Tap?

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility.
2. Select Touch and scroll down to Back Tap.
3. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap and assign an action like:
   • Taking a screenshot 
   • Opening the Control Center
   • Launching Siri Shortcuts
   • Locking your screen instantly
   • Turning on the flashlight 

This feature allows for quick access to essential functions without using on-screen controls, making it a time-saving iPhone trick that enhances productivity.

3. Live Text – Extract Text from Images Instantly

One of the most powerful hidden iPhone features settings is Live Text, which allows users to extract and interact with text directly from images. This feature, introduced in iOS 15 and improved in iOS 2025, enables users to copy, paste, translate, and even search text captured in photos, screenshots, or the camera viewfinder.

How to Use Live Text on iPhone?

1. Open the Camera app and point it at an image containing text.
2. Look for the Live Text icon (a yellow frame around detected text).
3. Tap the text to copy, share, or translate it instantly.
4. Alternatively, open a photo in the Photos app, tap and hold the text, and select Copy, Look Up, or Translate.

Why Live Text is Useful?

• Boosts productivity by allowing users to copy important notes from books, documents, or receipts.
• Helps with language translation, making it easier to read signs, menus, or handwritten notes in different languages.
• Saves time by eliminating the need for manual typing when copying information.

4. Custom Shortcuts – Automate Daily Tasks

The Shortcuts app is one of the most underrated hidden iPhone features It can help users automate everyday tasks, saving time and effort. With iPhone custom shortcuts, you can create one-tap automation for actions like sending messages, launching apps, adjusting settings, or even triggering multiple actions at once.

How to Create a Custom Shortcut on iPhone?

1. Open the Shortcuts app and tap the “+” icon to create a new shortcut.
2. Tap “Add Action”, then choose from categories like Apps, Scripting, or Media.
3. Customize the action (e.g., send a pre-written message to someone or turn on Do Not Disturb at bedtime).
4. Tap “Done”, and your shortcut will be ready to use via Siri, widgets, or automation triggers.

For example, a morning routine shortcut can be set up to:

• Turn off Do Not Disturb mode.
• Read the weather forecast aloud.
• Open your favorite news app.
• Start playing a motivational playlist on Apple Music.

Why Use iPhone Automation Hacks?

• Increases efficiency by handling repetitive tasks.
• Enhances productivity with one-tap or voice-activated automation.
• Customizes iPhone usage based on personal needs.

One-Handed Mode – Easy Navigation on Large Screens

With iPhones getting larger, One-Handed Mode is a game-changer for easier navigation. This hidden iPhone features setting lets users bring the screen down for better reachability, making it ideal for those using bigger devices like the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

How to Enable One-Handed Mode on iPhone?

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
2. Toggle on Reachability to enable One-Handed Mode.
3. To activate it, swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen.
4. The screen will shift downward, allowing easier access to top icons.

Why Use One-Handed Mode?

✔ Enhances accessibility for users with smaller hands.
✔ Improves usability without needing both hands.
✔ Works on most modern iPhones running iOS 2025.

iPhone’s Secret Codes – Unlock Hidden Menus

Did you know your iPhone has hidden dialer codes that unlock secret menus and diagnostics? These codes, entered in the Phone app, provide quick access to system details like battery health, network info, and call settings. Knowing these iPhone secret codes can help you optimize your device and troubleshoot issues efficiently.

Useful iPhone Secret Codes

Secret Code	Function
*#06#	Check IMEI number (useful for tracking lost devices)
*#21#	View call forwarding settings
*#31#	Hide caller ID for outgoing calls
*#43#	Check if Call Waiting is enabled.
*#*#4636#*#*	Open hidden diagnostics menu (network & battery info).
*3001#12345#*	Field Test Mode (detailed signal strength & network data).

Why Use These Codes?

✔ Check battery and network diagnostics easily.
✔ Optimize call settings for better privacy and efficiency.
✔ Access hidden iPhone features settings without third-party apps.

Hide Apps Without Deleting Them

Want to keep certain apps out of sight without uninstalling them? iPhones offer built-in methods to hide apps for privacy and a clutter-free home screen. Whether you want to keep sensitive apps away from prying eyes or organize your home screen better, these tricks can help.

Method 1: Using the App Library

1. Long-press on the app you want to hide.
2. Tap Remove App → Select Remove from Home Screen.
3. The app stays in the App Library (swipe right on the last home screen to find it).

✔ Best for: Keeping apps installed but hidden from the main screen.

Method 2: Using Screen Time Restrictions

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
2. Enable restrictions and tap Allowed Apps.
3. Toggle off apps you want to hide completely.

✔ Best for: Hiding built-in apps like Safari or Mail.

Why Use This Feature?

• Improves privacy by keeping personal apps hidden.
• Prevents accidental access to sensitive apps.
• Keeps your home screen organized.

iPhone Focus Mode – Minimize Distractions

Do constant notifications interrupt your workflow or sleep? Focus Mode on iPhone helps you block distractions by filtering notifications, apps, and calls based on your activity. It’s a game-changer for productivity and mindfulness.

How Focus Mode Works?

Focus Mode lets you customize which notifications and apps can disturb you at specific times. You can set up different Focus Modes for:

• Work – Allow only work-related apps and contacts.
• Sleep – Block all notifications except alarms and emergency contacts.
• Personal – Prioritize messages from friends and family.

How to Enable & Customize Focus Mode?

1. Go to Settings → Focus.
2. Tap + Add Focus and select a mode or create a custom one.
3. Choose Allowed Notifications for apps and contacts.
4. Set automation to enable Focus Mode based on time, location, or app usage.

Safari Hidden Features – Improve Web Browsing

Safari is another one of the hidden iPhone features that can enhance your browsing experience, improve organization, and boost privacy. Whether you want to manage multiple tabs efficiently or block trackers, these tips will help you get the most out of Safari in 2025.

1. Tab Groups – Organize Your Browsing

Easily group related tabs to keep your browsing clutter-free.

1. Open Safari → Tap the Tabs button (two squares).
2. Select “New Empty Tab Group” and name it.
3. Add tabs to different groups for work, shopping, or entertainment.

2. Private Browsing – Surf Without Leaving Traces

Protect your privacy by blocking cookies, trackers, and history storage.
How to enable:

1. Tap the Tabs button → Select Private.
2. Safari will now prevent websites from tracking your activity.

3. Safari Extensions – Customize Your Experience

Enhance Safari with ad blockers, password managers, and productivity tools.
How to install:

1. Go to Settings → Safari → Extensions.
2. Browse and install from the App Store.

iPhone Keyboard Shortcuts – Type Faster and Smarter

Typing on an iPhone keyboard can be much faster with hidden shortcuts that enhance productivity. Whether you’re responding to messages, drafting emails, or taking notes, these tricks will save time and improve accuracy.

1. Quick Access to Numbers & Symbols

Switching between letters and numbers can slow you down.
Shortcut: Press and hold the 123 key, slide to a number or symbol, and release—it will switch back to letters automatically.

2. Swipe Typing – Faster Text Entry

Instead of tapping each letter, use QuickPath (swipe typing) for faster input.
How to enable:

1. Settings → General → Keyboard.
2. Toggle on Slide to Type.

3. One-Handed Keyboard for Easier Typing

Struggling to type with one hand? Shift the keyboard for easy access.
How to enable:

1. Hold the Globe or Emoji key.
2. Select Left or Right keyboard mode.

4. Create Custom Text Shortcuts

Save time by setting up text replacements for commonly used phrases.
How to create:

1. Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement.
2. Tap +, enter a phrase (e.g., “On my way!”), and a shortcut (e.g., “omw”).

Why Use These Shortcuts?

• Type faster with swipe gestures and quick symbol access.
• Improve productivity by automating frequently used phrases.
• Enhance usability with one-handed mode for larger iPhones.

FAQs

Conclusion

iPhones hidden features enhance productivity, improve security, and optimize performance. From Live Text for extracting text from images to Custom Shortcuts for automating tasks, these hidden tricks can make your iPhone experience smoother and more efficient. Features like One-Handed Mode, Focus Mode, and Safari’s hidden tools help users customize their device for better usability.

By unlocking these best iPhone tricks of 2025, you can take full advantage of your device’s capabilities. Whether it’s improving typing speed with keyboard shortcuts or hiding apps for better privacy, these small tweaks can make a big difference. Start exploring these settings today and optimize your iPhone’s performance like a pro!