Over the years, Apple's iOS has evolved from a simple mobile operating system into a deeply complex and feature-rich platform. Each major update brings dozens of new capabilities, many of which go unnoticed by the average user. Even seasoned iPhone owners often stumble upon hidden features weeks or months after an update. This article collects ten such tips that you may not know about, assuming you have iOS 26 or later installed. Whether you are a casual user or a tech enthusiast, these tricks will help you get more out of your device.

Turn an App Into a Widget

Widgets have been a staple of iOS since iOS 14, but Apple continues to refine the interaction. In iOS 26, you can instantly convert most app icons into widgets directly from the Home Screen. Simply long press on any app icon, and a menu appears. At the top of that menu, you will see several square icons representing different widget sizes. Tap on any of them to transform the app icon into a widget. This works with any Apple or third-party app that supports widgets. To revert the icon back to its standard form, long press again and select the top left icon that shows four small squares. This tip eliminates the need to enter jiggle mode and manually add widgets from the widget gallery.

See Where You've Been

Location history is a powerful feature often associated with Google Maps, but Apple's Maps app also provides a detailed log of your visited places. This is particularly useful for recalling a great restaurant you discovered during a weekend trip or remembering the exact location of a meeting. To access it, open the Maps app, tap your profile icon (top right), select Places, and then choose Visited Places. The data is organized by category (leisure, shopping, etc.) and by city. You can clear your history entirely by scrolling to the bottom of the interface, or you can set a specific retention period. To turn off location history tracking completely, go to Settings > Maps > Location > Visited Places. Note that this feature relies on significant location collection, so ensure your location services are enabled for Maps.

Set Custom Vibrations

Custom ringtones and text tones are common, but many users overlook the ability to create personalized vibration patterns. This is especially handy for those who keep their iPhone on silent mode most of the time. You can assign distinct vibration patterns to specific contacts, so you know who is calling or texting without looking at the screen. To set this up, open the Contacts app, select the person you want to customize, tap Edit (top right), then choose either Text Tone or Ringtone. Next, tap Haptics and select Create New Vibration. A grid appears where you can tap and hold to create a pattern. You can also choose from predefined patterns. Once created, the new vibration will be associated with that contact. This works for both calls and messages.

Customize Your Lock Screen Buttons

Since iOS 16, the Lock Screen has become more customizable, but many users still don't realize they can change the two bottom buttons (Flashlight and Camera). In iOS 26, you can now assign any Control Center option, including third-party controls, to those spots. To customize, long press on the Lock Screen to enter edit mode. Tap Customize for your current wallpaper, or tap the + button to create a new Lock Screen. Then tap the – button on the left or right shortcut to remove it, and tap + to choose a new control from the expanded list. You can now launch apps, activate shortcuts, or toggles like Dark Mode directly from the Lock Screen.

Back Tap Gestures

Back Tap was introduced in iOS 14 as an accessibility feature, but its utility extends far beyond that. You can assign actions to double-tap or triple-tap on the back of your iPhone. Whether you want to take a screenshot, open Control Center, or run a custom Shortcut, Back Tap can do it. To set it up, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then scroll down to Back Tap. Tap either Double Tap or Triple Tap and choose an action from the list. For example, you can set a double tap to activate the flashlight or a triple tap to open the camera. The feature works with most iPhone cases and has become a staple for power users who want quick access to certain functions without fumbling with buttons.

Screenshot a Webpage

Taking a screenshot on an iPhone is straightforward: press the side button and volume up simultaneously. However, that only captures what's on screen. If you want to capture an entire webpage or a long PDF, iOS offers a built-in full-page screenshot feature. After taking the screenshot, tap the thumbnail that appears (if you have previews disabled, you'll need to open the screenshot from the lower left corner). In the markup interface, tap Full Page at the top. This will capture the entire webpage as a scrolling screenshot. You can then save it as a PDF to your Files app or share it directly. This is an excellent way to archive articles or save recipes without manually scrolling.

Hide Apps

With the App Library introduced in iOS 14, Apple made it easy to hide apps without deleting them. You have two options. First, you can hide individual apps by long pressing the app icon and selecting the Face ID option (or Require Face ID). This moves the app to a Hidden folder in the App Library. Alternatively, you can hide an entire Home Screen page. Long press on the Home Screen to enter jiggle mode, then tap the dots at the bottom. Uncheck the page you want to hide. Apps on that page won't appear on any Home Screen, but they remain accessible via Spotlight Search and in the App Library's appropriate categories. To unhide, simply re-check the page. This is useful for decluttering your Home Screen without uninstalling apps.

Quick Set a Timer

The default Clock app has a timer function, but accessing it through the app can be cumbersome. By adding a Timer control to Control Center, you can quickly set a timer with a slider. First, ensure the Timer control is in your Control Center: go to Settings > Control Center, then add Timer under Add a Control. Once added, open Control Center (swipe down from top right), long press the Timer icon, and a slider appears. Drag it to select a duration (from one minute to two hours), then tap Start. This is much faster than opening the Clock app and navigating to the timer tab. It's perfect for timing breaks, cooking, or any quick countdown.

Remove Photos Location Data

When sharing photos, you may want to strip sensitive metadata like GPS coordinates. iOS offers two easy ways to do this. The first method is within the Photos app: select an image, swipe up to reveal info, then tap Adjust Location and choose No Location. The second method is during the share sheet: select a photo, tap the Share button (the square with arrow), then tap Options at the top. Toggle off Location (under Location). This will remove location data from the shared copy. Note that this does not affect the original photo's metadata. You can also remove location from multiple photos simultaneously by selecting them first.

Use a Timer to Turn Off Media

Falling asleep while listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks is common. You can use the built-in timer to automatically stop playback after a set period. Open the Clock app, go to Timers, set a duration (e.g., 30 minutes), then tap When Timer Ends and scroll to the very bottom. Select Stop Playing. When the timer reaches zero, any playing media will stop. This works with Apple Music, Podcasts, Spotify, and most third-party media apps. It's a great alternative to the Sleep Timer feature in some apps, and it's built right into iOS.

These ten tips represent just a fraction of the hidden capabilities in iOS 26. As Apple continues to add features, taking the time to explore settings and experiment can lead to significant improvements in daily usage. Whether you are a new iPhone user or a veteran, there is always something new to discover. Try implementing these tricks and see how they streamline your workflow.

Source: MacRumors News