Your iPhone can do much more than you suppose, however provided that you have obtained the appropriate settings turned on. Each iOS replace provides new instruments and enhancements designed to make your cellphone extra helpful, however a lot of them keep tucked away in menus most individuals by no means verify. If you have not up to date your preferences shortly, you possibly can be lacking out on simple wins like saving battery life, reducing down on distractions or customizing your expertise to suit your day-to-day life higher.Whether you are trying to clear up your property display screen, silence pointless alerts or simply make your iPhone really feel extra like yours, a couple of easy tweaks can go a great distance. These 24 iOS settings will assist you get extra out of your gadget with much less effort.For the newest iPhone information, make sure to try every part Apple introduced at WWDC 2025.
Take a Closer Look on the iOS Settings You Should Change Right Now
See all images 1. Stop apps from monitoring your actual locationApps like Doordash and Postmates require your actual location to ship meals to the appropriate location or on to you. That doesn’t suggest each utility in your iPhone must know exactly the place you’re at each second. That’s why you’ll be able to forestall an app from monitoring your actual location. In the Settings app, select an utility (like Instagram, for instance), faucet Location after which toggle off Precise Location. Any app with Precise Location off will solely know your approximate location, inside a couple of miles. Don’t toggle this function off for apps that require actual location, like meals supply and navigation providers. Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET2. Turn the again of your iPhone right into a buttonThe again of your iPhone can be utilized as a secret button to activate sure actions similar to taking a screenshot, enabling low energy mode or operating a shortcut that may mechanically play music whenever you arrive on the fitness center. The Action Button on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and that iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max fashions do the identical, however when you have an older mannequin, the again of your iPhone works.The possibility is hidden deep in your settings; this is tips on how to discover it.In the Settings app, go to Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and select one in every of two choices: double faucet or triple faucet. You ought to see a listing of actions you’ll be able to run by tapping the again of your iPhone, like opening your digital camera, turning on the flashlight and scrolling up and down. Tap an motion or shortcut to allow it with Back Tap. Tap on the again of your cellphone to do all types of fancy tips. Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET3. Extend the lifespan of your batteryOn the iPhone 15 and later, head to Settings > Battery > Charging and transfer the Charge Limit slider. You can select from 80% all the way in which as much as 100%. (This is the default. Your iPhone will cost to inside a couple of factors of your chosen proportion after which cease charging.)Why do that? Well, lithium-ion cells last more after they spend much less time totally charged, which improves its lifespan. Try the 95% possibility and see how effectively it really works for you all through the day. If that is greater than sufficient battery life, you’ll be able to attempt among the decrease proportion level choices. Even with a Charge Limit under 100%, your iPhone will generally high as much as a full cost so it might recalibrate its battery-percentage readings. Nelson Aguilar/CNET4. Enable Live Voicemail to get real-time voicemail transcriptionsYou get a name and do not need to essentially decide up until it is essential. Unfortunately, the one means you will know is if you happen to take heed to a voicemail left after the decision. With iOS 17, you’ll be able to learn a real-time transcription of any voicemail being left. That’s proper: If somebody is leaving you a voicemail, you’ll be able to learn it in your cellphone and select to select up the decision, connecting you with the individual leaving the voicemail.The Live Voicemail function is not on by default, so go to Settings > Phone > Live Voicemail and switch it on. That’s it.5. Bring again full-screen incoming name alertsIf your iPhone is unlocked and also you obtain a cellphone name, a banner-style notification seems on the high of your display screen, with a small picture and identify or variety of the individual calling, and the choices to select up or deny the decision. This wasn’t at all times the default possibility. In the previous, incoming calls would take over your total show when your iPhone was unlocked. It was disruptive, certain, but it surely additionally obtained the job executed. The banner could also be a welcome change for a lot of as a result of it is extra discreet and lets you use your cellphone whereas receiving a name. If for any purpose you are not a giant fan of the banner and need to revert to the extra attention-grabbing full-screen alert, go to Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls and faucet Full Screen. This incoming name alert is not ideally suited for everybody. Jason Cipriani/CNET6. Turn off 5G protection you don’t need or haveApple touts a Smart Data function that is particular to its 5G telephones that can mechanically change between 4G LTE and 5G networks primarily based on the way you’re utilizing your gadget. You could discover that your iPhone’s battery drains sooner than it did earlier than. If you do not need to sacrifice battery life for sooner 5G speeds, shut it down. You can at all times flip 5G again on whenever you need it, or when service in your space improves.To flip off 5G in your iPhone, forcing it to at all times use 4G LTE (even when you have 5G protection), open the Settings app, then go to Cellular > Primary > Voice & Data and faucet LTE. Alternatively, if you need your iPhone to solely use a 5G connection when accessible, you’ll be able to choose 5G On. 5G is good when you have entry, but it surely may also be a battery hog. Patrick Holland/CNET7. Fine-tune how a lot knowledge is utilized by a 5G connection If you are completely satisfied along with your 5G efficiency, this is a network-related setting you need to try. Go to Settings > Cellular > Primary > Data Mode, the place you will discover three choices: Allow More Data on 5G, Standard and Low Data Mode. Even although you’ll be able to learn temporary descriptions under the three settings, they do not paint a whole image of the primary possibility. According to an Apple help doc, permitting extra knowledge on 5G offers you high-quality video and FaceTime calls. It additionally lets your cellphone obtain software program updates and stream high-definition Apple TV and Apple Music content material, and it permits third-party builders to enhance their respective apps.The default setting on this web page will rely in your provider and knowledge plan, so it is a good suggestion to verify your iPhone and ensure it is accurately set to your choice. 8. Stop apps from cluttering up your property display screenThe App Library is a spot the place you’ll be able to shortly discover and entry all your functions. And whereas apps are housed right here, all newly downloaded apps additionally seem on your property display screen. This will not be an issue if you happen to obtain apps sparingly, however if you happen to’re putting in new apps on a constant foundation, they’ll shortly litter up your property display screen.To cease downloaded apps from showing on your property display screen, go to Settings > Home Screen & App Library and choose App Library Only. If you need to discover the app, you will need to swipe left on your property display screen till you attain the App Library. This setting will forestall your property display screen from getting too messy. Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET9. Unlock your cellphone whereas carrying a face masksIf you put on a masks in public, unlocking your iPhone with Apple’s Face ID expertise could be irritating. Because half of your face is roofed, Face ID simply would not work. And whereas coming into your passcode to unlock your cellphone works, it isn’t as handy. With iOS, you might have the choice to activate a face unlock function that makes it simple to unlock your iPhone whenever you’re carrying a face masks. Before the replace, you possibly can solely unlock your iPhone if you happen to owned an Apple Watch. To unlock your iPhone along with your Apple Watch, open the Settings app in your iPhone after which open the Face ID & Passcode possibility. Scroll down till you discover the Unlock with Apple Watch part (you have to be related to an Apple Watch for the setting to look), the place you’ll be able to activate the function for any watches linked to your iPhone. If you might have an iPhone operating iOS 15.4 or later, you’ll be able to unlock your iPhone whereas carrying a masks with out an Apple Watch. Go to the Settings app and open Face ID & Passcode. From there, you’ll be able to toggle on the Face ID With a Mask possibility. It’s fairly superior. You can unlock your iPhone along with your Apple Watch if Face ID is not working. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET10. Put the tackle bar in Safari again on highThe tackle in Safari migrated to the underside of the display screen a couple of years again; welcome for these with smaller fingers who had problem reaching it with one hand on the high. This transfer may really feel extra pure, because it’s nearer to the keyboard and the place you usually place your thumbs, it may be off-putting since some individuals are used to seeing the URL bar close to the highest of the display screen.If you need to put the tackle bar again on the high of the display screen, go to Settings, faucet Safari and select the Single Tab possibility beneath the Tabs subheading.11. Add options that can be utilized when your iPhone is lockedThere are instances whenever you may need to have sure data helpful even when your cellphone is locked. That’s why Apple lets you allow some options with out having to unlock your gadgets, such because the notification heart, Control Center, the power to answer to messages and the Wallet app.To customise the options you’d prefer to entry on the lock display screen, launch the Settings menu, faucet Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode when prompted. Scroll down till you see the Allow Access When Locked part, and toggle the sliders primarily based in your preferences. You can resolve which options you need to entry when your cellphone is locked. Screenshot by Lisa Eadicicco/CNET12. Make your favourite electronic mail app or net browser your defaultIt’s not all about Safari. On your iPhone, you might have the power to decide on your personal default apps, a minimum of for electronic mail and net shopping. That signifies that whenever you faucet a hyperlink or an electronic mail ship button, your iPhone will mechanically launch the online browser or electronic mail supplier of your selecting fairly than Safari or Mail. To get began, open the Settings menu and choose the app you’d prefer to set as a default (similar to Google Chrome or Outlook). You ought to then see a button that claims Default Mail App or Default Browser App. Tap that possibility and choose the app of your selecting as an alternative of Safari or Mail. You now not have to make use of Safari or Mail as default apps. Screenshot by Lisa Eadicicco/CNET13. Get full notifications in your lock display screen The first time you expertise Apple’s Face ID tech, you will discover you could’t see the content material of recent alerts and notifications on the lock display screen. For instance, as an alternative of seeing who despatched you a textual content message and what it says, you will solely see a generic Messages alert. By default, all iPhones with Apple’s Face ID tech will disguise the content material of an alert till you decide up your cellphone and unlock it. It’s a privateness function that I fairly get pleasure from, however I additionally perceive the way it may very well be annoying (I’ve heard a couple of complaints from readers and relations alike). You can change how notifications seem in your lock display screen by going to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and choosing Always. Conversely, you’ll be able to choose Never if you wish to maintain the content material of your notifications at all times hidden from the lock display screen. 14. Turn off (or on) HDR video for sharing moviesThe iPhone can file excessive dynamic vary (HDR) video with Dolby Vision. That means your movies are usually brighter, with extra correct colours and improved distinction. That could also be ideally suited for some, but when you don’t need movies which might be mechanically adjusted since you need to do it by yourself, there’s a option to disable the function.You can flip off HDR video by going to Settings > Camera > Record Video and turning the change subsequent to HDR Video to the Off place. Going ahead, all movies can be captured in the usual dynamic vary. HDR video appears nice, but it surely would not work in all places but. Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET15. Customize your property display screen with fancy wallpaperAndifferent dwelling display screen tweak you need to make includes your wallpaper or background. Apple has many wallpapers of its personal, with a fairly cool twist. Open the Settings app in your iPhone and choose Wallpaper from the record. Make certain the change labeled “Dark Appearance Dims Wallpaper,” which you will see under the 2 thumbnail previews of your wallpaper, is turned on. Now, faucet Choose a brand new wallpaper and choose both Stills or Live. Look for the circle close to the underside of every wallpaper. It’s half black, half white. That circle signifies that the wallpaper has each mild and darkish mode variations and can change mechanically primarily based on the system standing of your cellphone. You can even set dwell wallpapers as your background if you happen to’re not bought on darkish and lightweight mode. On an iPhone with 3D Touch, you need to use a third-party app to play longer-duration “Live” images in your lock display screen. GIF by Patrick Holland/CNET 16. Turn on darkish mode to avoid wasting your batterySpeaking of darkish mode, if you happen to do not need to need to repeatedly modify your display screen’s brightness, you need to use your cellphone’s devoted darkish mode. Dark mode converts all the white backgrounds in apps to, most of the time, a black background. In flip, your cellphone is ready to save battery energy because of the darker colours. Turn it on by going to Settings > Display & Brightness and choosing the Dark possibility on the high of the display screen. You can even simply swipe down from the top-right of your iPhone and faucet the Dark mode icon within the Control Center.Apple’s apps will mechanically change to a darkish colour scheme, and most third-party apps have additionally adopted the function. Dark Mode on the iPhone certain appears good. Jason Cipriani/CNET 17. Manage your notifications with Focus ModeWe get numerous notifications day by day, however not all of them are related on a regular basis. That’s why Apple launched a function referred to as Focus Mode. Think of it as a customized Do Not Disturb function that is tailor-made to particular circumstances. Focus Mode blocks much less related alerts whereas permitting notifications from essential individuals and apps to come back via in order that you do not miss something. You can arrange various kinds of Focus Modes for particular circumstances. Apple at the moment provides choices for Do Not Disturb, private, sleep, work, driving, health, gaming, mindfulness and studying, however it’s also possible to create your personal customized mode. You can schedule Focus Modes in order that they activate mechanically when wanted and show your standing in apps in order that others know you might have notifications silenced. To get began, open the Settings menu, faucet Focus and select one of many accessible choices to arrange your notification preferences. Tap the plus (+) image within the high proper nook so as to add a brand new Focus. 18. Make your display screen textual content greater or smallerWith a few faucets in your iPhone’s display screen, you’ll be able to modify the font measurement to make it simpler to learn. Open Settings and go to Display & Brightness > Text Size the place you need to use the slider till you are proud of the font measurement. For slightly added oomph, you’ll be able to activate Bold Text (it is just under the Text Size button). 19. Add an alternate look to Face ID Apple’s facial recognition function, Face ID, always learns totally different facets of your face with every scan. If you are struggling to get Face ID to constantly acknowledge you, attempt the Alternate Appearance possibility. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > enter your PIN > Set Up An Alternate Appearance and undergo the method of enrolling your face once more. Face ID would not at all times get it proper. Óscar Gutiérrez/CNET20. Disable auto-brightness for longer battery costYour iPhone’s display screen brightness stage can have a huge impact on battery life. By default, iOS will mechanically modify the show’s brightness primarily based on how a lot mild its ambient sensor detects. If you need to take full management, you’ll be able to disable auto brightness, which means the brightness stage will keep the place you set it till you modify it once more. Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and on the backside of the web page, you will discover a change to show off Auto-Brightness. Now, everytime you need to modify your display screen, you are able to do so by opening Control Center with a swipe up from the underside of the display screen on a tool with a house button, or a swipe down from the top-right nook on newer iPhones. Keep your display screen dim to avoid wasting battery life. Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET Watch this: 11 Hidden Features in iOS 18
06:44 21. Triage your privateness settingsThe first time you arrange an iPhone with all your apps, you are bombarded with prompts asking for permission to entry private data starting from monitoring your location to your Apple Health data or your digital camera roll. It’s far too simple to get within the behavior of approving every part simply so you need to use the app, however take a couple of minutes and undergo your privateness settings to tailor what every app can and might’t see. We stroll you thru the entire privateness course of in two fast steps. Apple has put all of its privateness controls in a single place. Jason Cipriani/CNET22. Use the Control Center to entry apps with a swipe or faucetThe iPhone’s Control Center is a handy spot to shortly change songs, activate airplane mode, connect with Wi-Fi or begin a timer, however there’s a lot extra to it than that. You can shortly flip in your flashlight, verify on a timer or begin recording your display screen with a fast swipe and faucet. Customize which apps and options can be found in Control Center by opening Settings > Control Center. Remove an possibility with a faucet on the crimson minus button or add an possibility by choosing the inexperienced addition button. Drag options up or down utilizing the three-line icon on the appropriate aspect of the display screen. I like having fast entry to the Wallet app and toggles for low-power mode and darkish mode. As a reminder, when you have an iPhone with a house button, just like the iPhone SE, you’ll be able to swipe up from the underside of the display screen to open Control Center. If you might have an iPhone with Face ID, you will have to swipe down from the top-right nook of the display screen the place the battery icon is. Control Center has numerous potential; you simply have to customise it. GIF by Jason Cipriani/CNET23. Organize alerts with Notification SummaryApple needs that can assist you handle your notifications in iOS, beginning with the Notification Summary function. Rather than letting notifications pile up on your property display screen, you’ll be able to schedule alerts that are not pressing to reach in a bundle at a particular time of day. Important notifications like calls, direct messages and different time-sensitive alerts (just like the standing of your Uber or Lyft experience, for instance) will nonetheless seem instantly.To do this out, open Settings, press Notifications and faucet Scheduled Summary. 24. Change Siri’s voiceIf you have just lately arrange a brand new iPhone, you will have observed that Siri now not defaults to a feminine voice. Instead, you will be requested which Siri voice you need to use, together with a number of newer choices. Once you have made your choice, Apple will change Siri’s voice throughout all the gadgets linked to your Apple ID.You can try the voice choices by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice. To study extra, try our full information to altering Siri’s sound. Apple additionally added a gender-neutral Siri voice possibility for English audio system. No matter what number of settings you toggle on and off, battery life will at all times be a problem, particularly if you happen to’re touring and do not at all times have entry to your quick charger. If you are always on the go and wish some juice, take into account getting this reasonably priced and slim MagSafe charger that may cost your iPhone from zero to 50% in simply 30 minutes. Details For extra, listed below are 17 hidden options on our iPhone you need to find out about and annoying iPhone options you are able to do one thing about.
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