Your iPhone can do more than take photos, run apps, and send messages. Some of its most useful features are tucked inside Settings or work quietly in the background. Here are five worth trying.
1. Copy Text Directly From a Picture
You don’t need to type out information from a screenshot, poster, or printed document. Apple’s Live Text feature can recognize text inside supported images.
Open a picture containing text, press and hold a word, then select the text you need and tap Copy. You can paste it into Notes, WhatsApp, or another app.
It is especially useful when someone sends you a picture of an address or Wi-Fi password. Availability depends on your iPhone model, language, and software version.
2. Make Your iPhone Recognize Sounds
Your phone can notify you when it detects certain sounds, such as a doorbell, alarm, or crying baby.
Go to Settings → Accessibility → Sound Recognition and explore the available options.
This can be helpful when you’re wearing headphones or concentrating on something else. However, it shouldn’t replace dedicated safety alarms or reliable monitoring systems.
3. Use the Back of Your iPhone as a Shortcut
With Back Tap, tapping the back of your iPhone twice or three times can trigger an action.
Find it under Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap. Depending on your iOS version, you can assign actions such as taking a screenshot, opening an accessibility feature, or running a Shortcut.
Once configured, you can take a screenshot without pressing the side buttons and volume button together.
4. Hide Your Email Address When Signing Up
Some websites collect your email address for marketing or account communication. Apple’s Hide My Email feature can generate a unique forwarding address, keeping your personal email address private.
It is available through iCloud+ and supported Apple sign-up experiences. You can manage generated addresses in your iCloud settings.
Remember that messages may still reach you through the forwarding address, so it doesn’t make you completely anonymous.
5. Set a Limit on App Tracking
Your iPhone can ask apps for permission before they track your activity across other companies’ apps and websites.
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking and review the available controls.
Denying permission can limit certain forms of advertising-related tracking. It won’t block every advertisement or stop all data collection within an app.
These features are most useful when you configure them for your everyday habits. Start with Back Tap or Live Text, and you’ll quickly see how a few overlooked settings can make your iPhone more convenient.
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