Over the years, the iPhone's operating system has grown increasingly sophisticated. With every major iOS release, Apple introduces a wealth of new capabilities, but many of them remain hidden beneath the surface. Even seasoned iPhone users can discover clever shortcuts and settings that streamline daily tasks. Below, we explore ten such features that are available in iOS 26 and later. Whether you want to customize your lock screen, hide sensitive apps, or set unique vibration patterns for contacts, these tips will help you get more from your device.

Turn an App Into a Widget

You can quickly convert most app icons into widgets directly from the Home Screen. Simply long press on an app icon, and from the pop-up menu, select one of the widget sizes displayed at the top. This works with any Apple or third-party app that supports widgets. To revert to the standard icon, long press again and tap the four-square icon in the upper left corner. This feature is perfect for keeping frequently used information—like weather or calendar—at a glance without opening the app.

See Where You've Been

Apple’s Maps app offers a location history feature that lets you review places you have visited. This is especially useful after a weekend trip when you want to recall that excellent restaurant you stumbled upon. To access this, open Maps, tap your profile icon, choose Places, and then select Visited Places. Visits are organized by category and city. You can clear your history entirely or set a retention period via Settings > Maps > Location > Visited Places. To disable the feature altogether, toggle it off in the same menu.

Set Custom Vibrations

Most users know they can assign custom ringtones to contacts, but fewer realize that vibration patterns can be personalized too. This is a boon for those who keep their iPhone on silent. Open the Contacts app, select a person, tap Edit, then choose Text Tone or Ringtone. Next, tap Haptics and select Create New Vibration. You can then tap and hold on the screen to design a unique pattern. Assign different patterns to important people so you can identify who is messaging without looking at your phone.

Customize Your Lock Screen Buttons

Your iPhone’s lock screen typically displays buttons for the flashlight and camera, but you can swap them for any Control Center shortcut, including controls from third-party apps. To customize, long press on the lock screen, tap Customize (or the + to create a new wallpaper). Tap the – on the existing apps to remove them, then tap the + to add alternatives like Voice Memos, Shazam, or even a smart home control. This feature adds a new layer of convenience directly from the lock screen.

Back Tap Gestures

Back Tap has been part of iOS for several versions, yet many users forget it exists. It allows you to assign an action—like taking a screenshot, toggling the flashlight, or launching a Shortcut—to a double or triple tap on the back of the iPhone. Set it up by going to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. From there, you can assign different functions for two and three taps. This gesture works through most cases and is a discreet way to access frequently used actions.

Screenshot a Webpage

When you take a screenshot using the side and volume buttons, you capture only the visible portion of the screen. However, if you need to save an entire webpage or PDF, there is a simple trick. After taking the screenshot, tap the thumbnail that appears (if you haven't disabled previews). Then select Full Page at the top of the screenshot editing interface. You can then choose to save the long screenshot as a PDF or image, making it perfect for sharing entire articles or instructions.

Hide Apps

If you have apps you would rather not display on the Home Screen, you have two options. For individual apps, long press and choose the Face ID (or Require Face ID) option, then select Hide App. To hide an entire page of apps, enter jiggle mode by long pressing any empty area, tap the page dots at the bottom, and deselect the page you want to hide. Hidden pages do not appear in the App Library’s Hidden folder, but they are still accessible via Spotlight Search and within their respective App Library categories. To unhide, repeat the steps and recheck the page.

Quick Set a Timer

Adding the Timer control to your Control Center allows you to quickly set a countdown without diving into the Clock app. Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, then add the Timer icon. Once added, long press the Timer icon in Control Center to reveal a slider with preset durations from two hours down to one minute. Drag to your desired time and tap Start. This is ideal for timing workouts, cooking, or any short activity where you need a reminder.

Remove Photos Location Data

When sharing photos, you may want to strip location metadata for privacy. In the Photos app, select an image, swipe up to see details, and tap Adjust Location. You can then choose No Location to remove the GPS coordinates. Alternatively, when sharing via the Share sheet, tap Options and toggle off Location. This ensures recipients do not see where the photo was taken, which is particularly important when sharing images of your home or other sensitive locations.

Use a Timer to Turn Off Media

If you enjoy falling asleep to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, you can set a timer to automatically stop playback. Open the Clock app, go to the Timer tab, set the desired duration, and then tap When Timer Ends. Scroll down and select Stop Playing. When the timer counts down, any active media will pause or stop. This is a great alternative to searching for a sleep timer inside individual apps, and it works consistently across all audio sources.

These ten features represent just a fraction of the hidden capabilities in iOS 26. As Apple continues to refine its software, learning these shortcuts can significantly improve your daily interaction with your iPhone. Whether you are a longtime user or new to the platform, exploring these settings will help you customize your experience and boost productivity. Try integrating one or two into your routine and see how they can save time and reduce friction.

Source: MacRumors News