Most people do not use the smart features that come with iPhones. A lot of helpful settings are buried deep in the menus. These options can help your battery last longer, keep your information safe, and make your phone easier to use. In 2026, if you have an iPhone, it is time to look into the hidden features that can help you get more out of it. This post shows you the iPhone settings that are commonly overlooked but are worth adjusting right now.
Make Your Battery Last Longer with Smart Settings
Stop Refreshing Background Apps
Even when you are not using them, many programs run in the background. They use the internet, add new content, and run down your battery. Tap Settings, then General, and then Background App Refresh. If you do not require apps to run constantly, turn them off. This small modification will really help your battery last longer.
If your battery is dying quickly, it is usually because too many apps are updating in the background. It can make a major difference to turn this off for gaming, travel apps, and social media. Only keep it on for apps like email or messaging that you need to get updates.
Turn on Low Power Mode Smartly
You do not have to use low power mode; you can only use it in emergencies. You can turn it on even when your battery is full to make it last longer. This mode turns off visual effects and background chores that are not necessary. You can put it in the Control Center so you can get to it quickly. Use it whether you are traveling or on long days to save energy.
When the battery level drops to twenty percent, most people merely turn on Low Power Mode. However, utilizing it earlier in the day is a smart approach to get more hours out of your iPhone without having to charge it all the time. It is useful for folks who spend a lot of time outside or working away from outlets.
Turn on Optimized Battery Charging
This setting helps keep your battery healthy over time. It learns how you charge your phone and waits until you need it to charge past 80%. This slows down the aging of the battery. To turn on Optimized Battery Charging, go to Settings, then Battery, Battery Health, and Charging.
This function is quite useful if you charge your phone while you sleep. Your phone will not finish charging until right before you wake up, instead of keeping the battery at 100% for hours. This relieves stress on the battery and helps it last longer.
Increase Your Safety and Privacy
Limit App Tracking
Apps can keep track of what you do on other apps and websites. You can now operate this with an iPhone. To do this, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then tap Tracking. Turn off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” This stops apps from getting information about what you do.
Apps will also show you pop ups offering to track what you do. Always pick “Ask App Not to Track.” These options do not prohibit adverts, but they do make sure that your behavior is not tracked across other platforms.
Do not let anybody see your IP address
Your IP address can tell people where you are and who you are. You can conceal it from trackers in Safari. In case you want to hide your IP address, go to Settings, hit Safari, then Privacy and Security. Pick a tracker to improve your online privacy.
This is a simple alteration that has a big effect. Websites can utilize your location to learn about how you use the web. This feature gives you more control over your usage without slowing down your internet or making it less enjoyable.
Use the App Privacy Report
This report tells you which apps can access your data, such as your camera or location. Look under Privacy and Security in Settings to find it. Find out which apps use your contacts, location, or microphone. If an app is using your data without your permission, take away its access.
You might be shocked at how often apps look at your data. Apps that you only use once a week can still conduct checks in the background. This report will help you keep track of how often you use your phone.
Make Your iPhone Easier to Use
Use Back Tap Shortcuts
Back press is a clever app that enables you to set things to happen when you double or triple press the back of your phone. You can use it to capture a screenshot, turn on the flashlight, or open the camera. To go to Back Tap, go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then Touch. Make plans that will help you finish things faster.
This is quite helpful if you have your hands full or want to use your phone without unlocking it. It feels like a secret remote that is right in front of you.
Customize the Control Center
You can swipe down from the top right to get to the Control Center. You can add or take away tools to make it work for you. Open Control Center in Settings. You can add stuff like screen recording, Low Power Mode, Notes, or Shazam to find music.
You can shift tools around and get rid of the ones you do not use. This makes your Control Center easy to use, quick, and just what you need.
Enable Sound Recognition
This is a strong gadget that can hear things like a doorbell, a baby sobbing, or a siren. When your iPhone detects the sound, it sends you a message. To do this, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then touch Sound Recognition. Pick the sounds you want your phone to pick up. This is ideal for people who can not hear well or want to be more alert.
You will still get alerts if something significant is going on around you, even if your phone is in another room. This feature makes things safer for everyone.
Get More Done and Save Time
Use Modes of Focus
Focus modes help you stay focused. You can make your own modes for reading, sleeping, or working. Open the Settings app and set up Focus. In each setting, you may choose which apps and contacts can deliver notifications. Focus filters can also affect how your app works based on the mode.
More apps will support Focus filters in 2025. This lets you have more control over your digital time. You may get rid of distractions and focus on what matters with just one tap.
Turn on keyboard shortcuts
You can make text shortcuts to speed up your typing. For instance, if you type omw, your iPhone will change it to “on my way.” To change the text, go to Settings, hit General, and then Keyboard. Make shortcuts for the terms you use most often.
This makes texting and emailing faster. You might also make shortcuts for your home address, email address, or phone number.
Turn on Reachability
It is hard to use big screens with just one hand. Reachability makes the top part of the screen lower so you can tap it more easily. To turn on Reachability, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Touch. Now, swipe down on the bottom of the screen to get things closer.
This tiny adjustment makes it easier and more pleasant to use bigscreen iPhones.
Hidden Tricks That Feel Like Magic
Tap the Apple Logo to Control Your Phone
The Apple symbol on the back of your iPhone is not just a symbol. You can double or triple tap Back Tap to do things. Try making it capture a screenshot or locking your phone. This feature still works if you have a case on your phone.
It is quick, easy, and highly useful. You can even use the Shortcuts app to give Back Tap automation commands.
Set Automation with Shortcuts
You may use shortcuts to make your phone do things automatically. You could make a shortcut that turns on Low Power Mode when the battery level dips below a specific point. You could even tell your phone to play your favorite playlist when you get to the gym. To make strong routines, open the Shortcuts app and look through the Automation menu.
These routines help cut down on duties that have to be done over and over. Once they are configured, they work silently in the background.
Lock Notes and Photos That Are Hidden
You may lock critical content in some iOS apps. You can now use Face ID to lock notes and pictures. pen a note in the Notes app, tap the three dots, and then tap Lock. You may also protect your secret photographs folder in the Photographs app. This protects other people from seeing your private stuff.
Even if someone borrows your phone, they can not get to these files. It is a simple method to keep your confidential information safe.
Conclusion
You do not know how smart your iPhone is. Apple has a lot of useful settings that can help you save time, keep your data safe, and have more fun with your phone. But you have to know where to search to find most of them. You can get a better iPhone experience by altering the hidden settings listed above. You have these tools right in front of you. They can help you save time every day, control your battery, and improve your privacy. Making these small tweaks will make your iPhone work better and feel better, whether you use it for work, vacation, or everyday life. Now is the best moment to check out your settings if you have not done so in a while.