Discover 14 Unique iPhone Features to Enhance Your Experience
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Chapter 1: Introduction to iPhone Features
In this guide, we'll delve into some of the most intriguing features available on the Apple iPhone 12, including the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max. If you're using the iPhone 12 or even an older model with iOS 14 or later, you can tap into these functionalities to enhance your phone usage.
Whether you own the iPhone 12 Pro Max or an earlier version like the iPhone X, there are plenty of features to explore. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite tips and tricks.
Section 1.1: Utilizing Back Tap for Quick Actions
One fantastic accessibility feature in iOS is the ability to take a screenshot by simply tapping the back of your device. To set this up, navigate to Settings, search for 'Accessibility', then select 'Touch'. Scroll down to 'Back Tap' and choose either double or triple tap to assign the 'Screenshot' action. Now, tapping the back of your iPhone will capture a screenshot. You can also set it to open the notification center, providing quick access.
Section 1.2: Customizing Your Default Apps
With iOS 14 and later, you can change the default applications for browsing the internet and managing emails. If you prefer Chrome over Safari, download it from the App Store, then go to your iPhone Settings, find Chrome at the bottom, tap on it, and select 'Default Browser'. For email, repeat the process with your preferred email app like Spark or Gmail to set it as your default.
Section 1.3: Managing App Downloads
iOS 14 introduced the App Library, which is a great way to keep your home screen organized. If you want newly downloaded apps to skip the home screen and go directly to the App Library, head to Settings > Home Screen and select "Only App Library" under the "Newly Downloaded Apps" section.
Section 1.4: Viewing Apps in List Format
By default, the App Library organizes apps into folders, but if you prefer a list view, simply drag down the screen in the App Library, and your apps will display alphabetically. You can use the search bar at the top or quickly scroll to the desired app by tapping the corresponding letter in the right column.
Section 1.5: Adding Widgets to Your Home Screen
Starting with iOS 14, you can personalize your home screen by adding widgets. Long-press an app icon or an empty space, tap the plus sign in the top corner, and select the widget you wish to add. Scroll to find supported apps, choose your widget size, and tap ‘Add Widget’.
Section 1.6: Creating Smart Stacks for Widgets
You can enhance your widget experience by creating smart stacks, which allow you to scroll through multiple widgets in one space. Simply drag individual widgets on top of each other, enabling either automatic cycling or manual scrolling through them.
Section 1.7: Deleting Home Screens
If your home screen feels cluttered, you can hide entire pages. Long-press on an empty area, tap the page indicator at the bottom, and select the screens you wish to hide. This action will not delete the apps but will conceal them in the App Library.
Section 1.8: Scheduling Dark Mode
Dark mode is easy to enable through Settings > Display. To set it on a schedule, select the "Automatic" option, then tap "Options" to choose "Custom Schedule". Here, you can specify when you want light and dark modes to activate.
Section 1.9: Editing Your Today View
To modify the "Today" view, swipe left to access it, scroll to the bottom, and tap the edit button. Here, you can remove unwanted widgets and customize the panel with old-style widgets by tapping “Customize”.
Section 1.10: Emoji Search Made Easy
Searching for emojis has never been simpler. Open the emoji keyboard, tap the “search emoji” field, and find the emoji you need quickly, whether it’s an eggplant, smiley, or any other icon.
Section 1.11: Eye Contact Feature in FaceTime
For a more engaging FaceTime experience, go to Settings > FaceTime > Eye Contact. Enabling this feature makes it appear as though you're looking directly at the camera, even when you're gazing at the screen.
Section 1.12: Advanced Camera Controls
The camera app has hidden controls that enhance your photography. Open the app, and depending on how you hold your device, swipe up or to the left to reveal additional options, including night mode, live photos, and exposure settings.
Section 1.13: Scanning QR Codes Efficiently
To access the QR code scanner quickly, swipe down from the top right of your screen to open Control Center. You’ll find a QR code button that allows for instant scanning.
Section 1.14: Capturing Burst Photos
You can also take burst photos using the volume up button. Navigate to Settings > Camera, then enable the “Use Volume Up for Burst” option. Press and hold the volume button in photo mode to capture a series of shots.
Chapter 2: Video Guides for iPhone Tips
Discover essential tips and tricks to maximize your iPhone 14 Pro experience with this video guide.
Check out this video for a comprehensive list of things to do with your iPhone 14, perfect for new users looking to get started!