iOS Tips & Tricks: Unlock Top iPhone and iPad Features for Productivity, Security and Fun

Q: How do I turn my keyboard into a trackpad?

Press and hold the space bar until the keyboard grays out, then slide your finger to move the cursor precisely.

Q: Can I assign actions to tapping the back of my iPhone?

Yes. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap, then set Double Tap or Triple Tap to actions like taking a screenshot or launching an app.

Q: What is Focus mode and how do I use it?

Focus filters notifications and apps based on context. In Settings → Focus, pick or create a Focus, choose allowed contacts/apps, schedule it, and optionally link Dark Mode, Low Power Mode, or custom Home screens.

Q: How do I add widgets to my Home Screen?

Enter jiggle mode by long-pressing a blank area, tap Edit → Add Widget, choose a widget, drag it into place, and adjust size.

Q: How can I quickly set a timer?

Open Control Center, press and hold the timer icon, then drag the slider to your desired duration and release to start.

Q: What steps should I take to secure my iPad or iPhone?

Use a strong passcode, enable Face ID or Touch ID, turn on two-factor authentication, manage app permissions, and set restrictions if needed to block unauthorized changes.

Q: How do I customise my iPad’s keyboard for other languages?

Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Add New Keyboard to add a language. Switch layouts using the globe icon on the keyboard.

Q: Can I undo actions with a gesture?

Yes. Shake to Undo. On iPad you can also use a three-finger swipe left or a three-finger tap to access Undo/Redo controls.

Q: How do I measure objects using my iPhone?

Open the Measure app, choose Measure, tap + to set a start point, move to the end point and tap + again to see the length. Use Level within the app to check if a surface is level.

Introduction

With more than 1.56 billion people using iPhones around the world, and Apple shipping over 225 million iPhones in 2024, iOS isn’t just a platform—it’s part of daily lifebacklinko.com. In the United States, iPhones capture about 54 % of smartphone sales, showing how central Apple devices are to communication, productivity and entertainment. Mastering iOS features therefore isn’t just fun—it can save time, improve security and make your devices feel truly personal.

Apple regularly introduces new capabilities such as home‑screen customisation, interactive widgets, smarter privacy controls and Focus modes. Unfortunately, many users barely scratch the surface. This guide brings together hidden gems from credible sources—Reader’s Digest, MacRumors, Apple’s support pages and university tutorials—to show you how to turn your iPhone and iPad into power tools. Whether you want to boost productivity, protect your data, or just discover fun tricks, you’ll find clear step‑by‑step instructions, real‑world examples and answers to common questions. Internal links to related articles on FrediTech, like “Maximizing Your iOS Experience”, provide deeper dives into topics like home‑screen design, automation and advanced privacy settings.

Close-up of a hand holding an iPhone on a wooden desk, showing an iOS Tips & Tricks screen with Control Center shortcuts; blurred MacBook and coffee mug in the background.

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Understanding the iOS ecosystem

What makes iOS unique

Apple’s mobile operating system integrates hardware and software, creating a secure, smooth experience across devices. Features like iCloud, Handoff and Universal Clipboard allow you to start work on an iPhone and finish on a Mac or iPad without missing a beat. Meanwhile, the Tips app offers collections that show how to personalise the Lock Screen, schedule messages or mute calls with AirPods; new tips are added regularly. To receive notifications when new suggestions arrive, open the Settings app, tap Notifications, choose Tips, then enable Allow Notificationssupport.apple.com.

Getting started with the Tips app

If you’re new to iOS or upgrading from an older version, the Tips app is an excellent starting point. To explore:

Open the Tips app – tap its yellow lightbulb icon.
Browse collections – categories range from customizing your Lock Screen to scheduling texts. Tap a collection to view individual tips.
Save and share tips – when you find a useful suggestion, tap the Save icon to add it to your personal collection or share it via Messages, Mail or AirDrop.
Explore other devices – scroll to the bottom to find user guides for your Apple Watch, AirPods or HomePodsupport.apple.com.

Real‑world example: Suppose you’re planning a dinner party. Use the Tips app to learn how to schedule a text message to send a reminder to guests. Set a “Dinner” Focus that mutes work notifications during your event, and customise your Lock Screen with a food‑themed photo for ambience.

For a deeper exploration of home‑screen design and new iOS 18 features, check FrediTech’s article on maximising your iOS experience, which explains icon tinting, widget stacking and control‑centre overhaul.

Productivity enhancers for iPhone

Quick text editing and typing

Turn the keyboard into a trackpad. Editing text on a touchscreen can be fiddly, but there’s a hidden trackpad mode. On any iPhone or iPad with 3D Touch or Haptic Touch, press and hold the space bar to turn the entire keyboard into a trackpad. This lets you move the cursor precisely through text without obscuring the screen. Once you release your finger, the keyboard returns to normal.

Quickly access numbers and symbols. When entering numbers, you don’t need to tap the 123 key separately. Touch and hold the “123” button, slide your finger over the number or symbol you want, then lift to insert it. The keyboard automatically returns to the letters, making data entry fastermacrumors.com.

Find hidden characters and accents. On iPad, vowels and the consonants y, s, l, z, c and n have additional characters. Press and hold a key to display accented letters or symbols. The dot (.) key in Safari reveals .com, .edu, .org and other domain suffixeswiu.edu. This is invaluable for multilingual messaging and writing web addresses.

Create keyboard shortcuts. Frequent phrases can be stored as shortcuts. Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, tap Add New Shortcut, then enter a phrase and a short trigger word. For example, typing “wfh” could auto‑expand to “Working from home today”.

Split the keyboard on iPad. If you often type with thumbs, split the keyboard to make it more ergonomic: press and hold the keyboard toggle on the lower right and choose Split, or simply pull the keyboard apart with two fingerswiu.edu.

Calculator and numbers

Apple’s Calculator app lacks a visible backspace, but you can swipe left or right across the numbers to delete the last digitmacrumors.com. This tiny gesture prevents mistakes without clearing your entire calculation.

Custom gestures with Back Tap

Back Tap lets you trigger actions by tapping the back of your iPhone. It’s useful for launching apps or performing tasks when your hands are full.

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap.
Select Double Tap or Triple Tap. You can assign each to an action, such as taking a screenshot, opening the Control Center or launching the Camera appmacrumors.com.
Choose your action. For example, assign Double Tap to open the camera quickly when your toddler does something cute, and Triple Tap to toggle the flashlight when walking to your car at night.

Better volume and instant video capture

The volume slider in the Control Center doesn’t just toggle on/off. Press anywhere on the volume bar and drag your finger up or down for fine‑grained adjustment; this also works with the brightness slidermacrumors.com.

Apple’s QuickTake feature lets you start recording a video without switching modes. In the Camera app’s Photo mode, hold the shutter button to begin recording; drag it right to lock into video mode. This is perfect for capturing your child’s first steps or unexpected street performances without fumbling with the interface.

Time management and Siri tricks

Need a fast timer? Open the Control Center, press and hold the timer icon, then drag the slider up or down to set durations in one‑minute increments. Release to start the timer instantlymacrumors.com. This is handy for steeping tea or timing a workout.

Siri can handle fun tasks too. You can ask Siri to flip a coin or roll dice when you can’t decide between dinner options. Siri will return a result instantly.

Speed dial with Shortcuts

If you frequently call or message someone, create a Speed Dial on your Home Screen:

Open the Shortcuts app and tap +.
Add Action and search for Phone or FaceTime; choose Call or FaceTime and select a contact.
Tap Done, then the three dots on your shortcut card. Tap “Add to Home Screen.”
Name your shortcut and choose an icon. Your speed dial will now appear on the Home Screenmacrumors.com.

This trick is ideal for elderly relatives who need quick access to emergency contacts.

Customisation and personalisation

Widgets, Home Screen and App Library

The arrival of iOS 18 brought an overhaul to home‑screen customisation. As FrediTech’s Maximizing Your iOS Experience, explains, you can place icons anywhere on the grid, tint them with a single colour and resize them to your liking. To redesign your Home Screen:

Enter jiggle mode by long‑pressing a blank area until icons wiggle.
Tap “Edit” and choose from Add Widget, Customize or Edit Pages to manage widgets and pagesfreditech.com.
Use Customize to pick light, dark or automatic appearance, tint icons to a uniform colour and adjust icon sizesfreditech.com.
Drag icons anywhere, leaving blank spaces for aesthetic patternsfreditech.com.
Access the App Library by swiping left; group apps in folders by dragging icons on top of one another (iPad instructions: press and hold until they shake, drag an icon over another and release to create a folderwiu.edu).

For more advanced layout inspiration—including hero images and interactive widget stacks—read our FrediTech piece on iOS home‑screen design.

Focus modes and notifications

Apple’s Focus feature helps you separate work from personal life. According to MacRumors, Focus is “a powerful tool for cutting down on distractions and interruptions”. Here’s how to make it work for you:

Access Focus settings. In Settings → Focus you’ll see pre‑made modes such as Do Not Disturb, Sleep, Driving and Work.
Create custom modes. Tap the + icon to name your mode, choose an icon and pick which contacts and apps can notify you.
Silence or allow specific people and apps. You can either silence selected contacts or allow only important ones; the same applies to apps.
Reduce interruptions with AI. On devices supporting Apple Intelligence, enable Reduce Interruptions to allow only priority notifications.
Limit app access with custom Home Screens. Under Customize Screens, choose a page showing only your work apps; other apps remain hidden until you exit the mode.
Add Focus filters. Filter out specific email inboxes, calendars or Safari tab groups so that work information appears only when you’re working.
Link system settings. Focus modes can automatically activate Dark Mode, Low Power Mode or Silent Mode.
Schedule and automate. Set a mode to turn on at a particular time, location or when you open an app like Slack. You can also trigger Focus modes via Shortcuts.

Example: Create a “Study” Focus that hides social‑media apps, allows notifications only from your family and activates Dark Mode and Low Power Mode. Schedule it to enable automatically when you arrive at university or during your regular study hours.

Dark Mode, Low Power Mode and battery optimisation

Using darker colours can reduce eye strain and save power on OLED screens. Dark Mode toggles automatically at sunset or manually via Control Center. Low Power Mode disables background app refresh and visual effects to extend battery life; enable it from Settings → Battery or by asking Siri. FrediTech’s article on iOS battery optimisation explains additional techniques like reducing screen brightness, disabling location services for unused apps and scheduling charging to prolong battery health (see Ultimate Guide to Smartphone Battery Optimisation).

Privacy and security settings

Your iPhone and iPad hold sensitive information—from banking apps to personal photos—so configuring security is critical.

Use a strong passcode and biometric lock. For iPad, open Settings → General → Passcode Lock, tap Turn Passcode On, then enter a six‑digit codewiu.edu. On iPhone, set up Face ID or Touch ID along with a passcode.

Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA). In your Apple ID settings, turn on 2FA to require a code when signing in from new devices.

Manage app tracking and permissions. Under Settings → Privacy & Security, review which apps have access to your location, camera, microphone and contacts. Toggle off unnecessary access.

Use Privacy Report in Safari to see which websites track you and block cross‑site trackers.

Stolen Device Protection. iOS 18 introduced a mode that requires Face ID and a passcode to turn off Find My or erase your device, protecting your data if the phone is stolen. More details are covered in FrediTech’s privacy guide.

Parental controls and Screen Time

To set boundaries for children or your own digital wellbeing, use Screen Time and parental controls.

Enable Screen Time in Settings → Screen Time. Set a passcode so only you can change settings.
App Limits – specify how long apps like TikTok or games can be used each day; when time runs out, a notification and lock appear.
Downtime – schedule periods (e.g., 9 p.m.–7 a.m.) when only phone calls and allowed apps are accessible.
Content & Privacy Restrictions – restrict explicit content, in‑app purchases and changes to privacy settings.
Use Restrictions on iPad – For older versions, go to Settings → General → Restrictions, tap Enable Restrictions, create a passcode and choose which content and tasks are allowedwiu.edu.
Family Sharing – share Apple subscriptions and monitor your child’s Screen Time across devices.

Hidden iPad features for power users

Keyboard mastery and shortcuts

Add a website to your Home Screen. In Safari, navigate to any site, tap the Share icon, then choose Add to Home Screen. You can rename the shortcut before tapping Addwiu.edu. This is useful for bookmarking web apps or your online banking site.

Expand the dock. To keep frequently used apps handy, touch and hold any app until it jiggles, then drag it onto the dock. The other icons move aside to accommodate the new addition.

Turn off keyboard clicks. If the keyboard click sound annoys you, open Settings → Sounds, then toggle Keyboard Clicks off.

Super‑fast webpage scrolling. When browsing long articles, tap the status bar at the top of the screen to instantly jump back to the top.

Preview more of your email. In Settings → Mail → Preview, choose how many lines of an email you want to see (up to five lines) before opening itwiu.edu.

Shake to undo. Accidentally deleted text? Simply shake your iPad to bring up the Undo option.

Switch search engines. In Safari settings, select Search Engine and choose Google, Yahoo or Bing.

Screenshots and zooming. Press the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons at the same time on older iPads to take a screenshot; on devices without a Home button, press the top button and volume up simultaneously. Double‑tap or pinch out with two fingers to zoom in on photos or webpages.

Change your default email signature. In Settings → Mail → Signature, tap Sent from my iPad and type a custom signaturewiu.edu.

Force quit apps. Double‑tap the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom and pause) to view recently used apps; swipe up on an app’s card to force quitwiu.edu.

Productivity gestures and multitasking

iPadOS supports multitasking gestures. Use four or five fingers to swipe left or right between open apps, pinch to the Home Screen, or swipe up to reveal the app switcher. In Split View, drag an app from the dock onto the side of the screen to use two apps side‑by‑side. Slide Over lets you float a third app over a Split View pair; simply drag an app from the dock to the center of the screen.

Folders, App Library and the dock

Keeping your iPad organised boosts efficiency. To create a folder, press and hold an icon until it wiggles, drag it onto another icon and releasewiu.edu. Name the folder (e.g., Work or Games). Folders can also live in the dock for fast access. iPadOS automatically categorises apps in the App Library, accessible by swiping left past the last Home Screen page.

Health, fitness and well‑being

Tracking your health with the Health app

Your iPhone isn’t just a communication tool—it’s a health tracker. The Health app aggregates step counts, flights climbed, heart rate and more. Reader’s Digest notes that the Health app can function as an activity tracker, letting you monitor steps, set goals and visualise progress. To get started:

Open Health and tap Summary to see your daily stats.
Add data sources like Apple Watch, third‑party fitness apps or connected scales.
Set up your Medical ID in the Health tab. Add allergies, medications and emergency contacts—this information can be accessed from the Lock Screen by first responders.
Enable Fitness+ workouts or connect with third‑party apps like Strava to log runs and rides.
Use Sleep tracking (paired with Apple Watch) to monitor sleep stages and set bedtime reminders.

Measure app and augmented reality

Need a ruler? The Measure app uses augmented reality to measure objects and function as a level. According to Reader’s Digest, you can open Measure, tap Level, then place your iPhone on a surface to check if it’s perfectly horizontal or vertical. This trick comes in handy when hanging pictures or assembling furniture.

Wellness reminders

Use the Mindfulness app (built into Apple Watch and iPhone) to schedule breathing or meditation sessions. For mental health resources, check Apple’s mental wellbeing programs or third‑party apps like Headspace. FrediTech’s health section covers wearable devices and fitness trackers for holistic wellbeing.

Entertainment and media

Camera capabilities and photography

The iPhone’s camera is a powerhouse, and there are several tricks to unlock its potential:

QuickTake Video: In Photo mode, hold the shutter button to record a video without switching modesmacrumors.com. Drag to the right to lock recording. This is ideal for capturing fleeting moments.

Burst mode: Drag the shutter button left to start burst photos; release to stop.

Adjust exposure quickly: Tap to focus, then drag the sun icon up or down to adjust brightness.

Grid lines: Enable grid in Settings → Camera to apply the rule of thirds for balanced composition.

Mirror selfies: Turn on “Mirror Front Camera” in settings to see yourself as others do.

Live Photos and Loop effects: Live Photos capture 1.5 seconds before and after your shot. In the Photos app, swipe up on a Live Photo and choose Loop, Bounce or Long Exposure for creative effects.

Use the Level: In Camera settings, enable the Level tool. A crosshair appears when the phone is level—useful for straight horizon lines.

For more photography tips, see FrediTech’s article on Mastering Smartphone Photography.

Siri as your entertainment assistant

Beyond flipping coins, Siri can control music, set multi‑room audio with HomePods, find your favourite podcast episodes or recommend movies. For example, saying “Play relaxing jazz on the living room HomePod” will stream a curated playlist. Siri can also search lyrics, e.g., “Play the song that goes ‘in the shallow, shallow’,” to find Lady Gaga’s “Shallow.”

Advanced power‑user techniques

Universal Clipboard and Handoff

When signed into the same Apple ID on multiple devices, you can copy text, images or files on one device and paste them on another. This Universal Clipboard operates for a few minutes after copying. For example, copy a research quote on your iPad and paste it directly into a Pages document on your Mac.

Handoff lets you start an email, document or even a Safari tab on one device and continue on another. Ensure that Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi are enabled, then look for the Handoff icon on the lock screen or in the Dock of the receiving device.

Shortcuts and automations

The Shortcuts app empowers you to automate tasks without coding. Here are some ideas:

Morning routine: A shortcut that turns on your smart lights, plays your favourite news podcast and shows your calendar events.

Travel prep: A workflow that puts your phone into Low Power Mode, turns on Airplane Mode and sends an ETA to a contact when you open your airline app.

Study timer: A timer that starts a 25‑minute work session, activates a Focus mode and plays instrumental study music. A second shortcut can start a 5‑minute break.

Safety and emergency tools

Medical ID and Emergency SOS: Configure Medical ID in the Health app and enable SOS by going to Settings → Emergency SOS. On iPhone 14 and later, pressing and holding the side button and a volume button will start a countdown and contact emergency services.

Crash detection: Newer iPhones and Apple Watches detect severe car crashes and automatically call emergency services when you don’t respond.

Find My: Share your location with family, locate lost devices and mark them as lost. Enable Send Last Location so your device transmits its position before the battery dies.

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn my keyboard into a trackpad?

Press and hold the space bar on your iPhone or iPad until the keyboard grays out, then slide your finger to move the cursor precisely.

How do I delete the last number in the Calculator app?

Swipe left or right on the calculator’s number display to remove the most recent digit macrumors.com.

Can I assign actions to tapping the back of my iPhone?

Yes. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap, then assign actions to Double Tap or Triple Tap (e.g., screenshot, launch an app)macrumors.com.

What is Focus mode and how do I use it?

Focus filters notifications and app distractions based on what you’re doing. In Settings → Focus, choose a preset or create your own, select allowed contacts and apps, set a schedule, and optionally link actions like Dark Mode, Low Power Mode, or custom Home screens.

How do I add widgets to my Home Screen?

Long-press a blank area to enter jiggle mode, tap Edit → Add Widget, pick an Apple or third-party widget, drag it into place, and choose the size freditech.com.

How can I quickly set a timer?

Open Control Center, press and hold the timer icon, then drag the slider to your duration and release—your timer starts immediately macrumors.com.

What steps should I take to secure my iPad or iPhone?

Use a strong passcode, enable Face ID/Touch ID, turn on two-factor authentication, review app permissions regularly, and (if needed) set restrictions to prevent unauthorized changeswiu.edu..

How do I customise my iPad’s keyboard for other languages?

Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Add New Keyboard to install another language. Use the globe icon on the keyboard to switch layoutswiu.edu.

Can I undo actions with a gesture?

Yes. On iPad, you can shake to Undo wiu.edu. You can also use a three-finger swipe left or three-finger tap to bring up the Undo/Redo toolbar.

How do I measure objects using my iPhone?

Open the Measure app, ensure Measure (not Level) is selected, position the dot and tap + to set a start point, move to the end point and tap + again to see the length. Use Level when you need to check if a surface is level.

Conclusion

iOS has evolved into a powerful ecosystem that blends hardware and software, creativity and productivity. With over 1.56 billion active users worldwide and a commanding share of the US smartphone marketbacklinko.com, mastering your iPhone or iPad isn’t a hobby—it’s a smart investment in your digital life. The tips in this guide—from hidden keyboard tricks and Back Tap shortcuts to Focus modes and health features—show that small gestures can yield significant time savings and convenience.

Remember to customise your Home Screen with widgets and icon tinting, use Focus modes to protect your attention, prioritise security with strong passcodes and two‑factor authentication, and explore automation via Shortcuts to make your device work for you. Regularly browse the Tips app for new featuressupport.apple.com and visit FrediTech for deeper dives into Apple devices, battery optimisation, photography and more. With these tools and habits, your iPhone and iPad will become powerful companions—streamlining work, enhancing creativity and keeping you connected to what matters most.

Author: Wiredu Fred – Tech blogger at FrediTech. Wiredu specialises in Apple device tutorials, reviews and digital productivity guides, helping readers make the most of their gadgets.