10 Hidden iPhone Features You Are Not Using

1. Back Tap

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap. You can assign actions to double or triple tapping the back of your iPhone.

Useful assignments:

• Double tap: Screenshot
• Triple tap: Open Control Center
• Or: Flashlight, Shazam, any shortcut

2. Text Replacement Shortcuts

Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement.

Create shortcuts for phrases you type repeatedly:

• @@ → your.email@gmail.com
• addy → your full home address
• omw → "On my way! I will be there in 10 minutes."
• #sig → your full email signature

3. Shake to Undo

Shake your iPhone to undo the last action — typing, deletion, formatting changes. Works in Mail, Notes, Messages, and most text fields.

4. Hidden Trackpad

Press and hold anywhere on the keyboard (or 3D Touch / Haptic Touch the space bar) to turn the keyboard into a trackpad. Drag your finger to precisely position the cursor.

5. Scan Documents with Notes

Open Notes → tap the camera icon → Scan Documents. It automatically detects document edges, corrects perspective, and reduces shadows. Better than most dedicated scanning apps.

6. Custom Control Center

Settings → Control Center → Customize. Add useful controls:

• Voice Memos — Start recording instantly
• Shazam — Identify songs without opening the app
• Magnifier — Use your camera as a magnifying glass
• Apple TV Remote — Lose your remote? Use your phone
• Dark Mode toggle — Quick on/off

Remove ones you never use.

7. Hide Photos from View

• Select a photo
• Tap the three-dot menu (···)
• Hide — moves it to a Hidden album
• To truly hide: Go to Settings → Photos and turn OFF "Show Hidden Album"

8. Measure Things with Measure App

The built-in Measure app uses AR to measure objects. Point your camera at an object, tap start and end points. It also includes a Level tool for hanging pictures.

9. Medical ID for Emergencies

The Health app → Medical ID lets first responders see critical information from your Lock Screen:

• Medical conditions and allergies
• Blood type
• Emergency contacts
• Organ donor status

Set it up, then enable "Show When Locked."

10. Offline Maps

iOS 17+ supports offline maps. Before traveling:

1. Open Maps
2. Search for the area you are visiting
3. Tap the download button
4. Select the area size

Now you have navigation without cellular data.

Bonus: Emergency SOS

Press and hold the power button + volume up simultaneously. Or quickly press the power button 5 times. Your iPhone calls emergency services, shares your location with emergency contacts, and — if opted in — automatically plays an alarm.

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Quick Reference Card

Feature	How to Access	What It Does
Back Tap	Settings → Accessibility → Touch	Actions on back-of-phone tap
Trackpad	Long-press space bar	Precision cursor control
Scan Documents	Notes → Camera icon	Auto-document scanning
Text Replacement	Settings → Keyboard	Type shortcuts for long phrases
Hidden Photo	Select → ... → Hide	Move photo to hidden album
Medical ID	Health app → Medical ID	Emergency info on lock screen
Offline Maps	Maps → Download area	Navigate without data
Measure	Measure app	AR measurement tool
Emergency SOS	Hold power + volume	Calls emergency services