The iPhone has a number of cool features beyond using it to surf the internet and take cool pictures. While some features need to be dug out from their hiding places, others are just hidden away in plain sight.
While there are often third-party applications to get some things done, if you’re like me, you might want your device decluttered from innumerable third-party applications and stick with the native software.
Here are 10 more ways to get more out of your iPhone. I bet you’ll use them again and again.
Markup Tool
This is a tool that many won’t even realize they have as it allows the editing of screenshots and pictures. With Markup, you can add signatures to PDFs and other documents or even insert things such as texts, or draw images without the need to download a third-party application to get this done.
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In order to use markup on your iPhone, you’ll need to do the following:
- First, open the photo you want to edit and click on “Edit” and then the click on the “Markup” button which looks like a pencil in a circle.
- Next, click the Plus button to add description, text, signature, or magnifier in order to zoom in to a section.
- When you’re satisfied, then click on the “Done” twice.
In order to sign a PDF or document, do the following:
- Open the document and click on Edit, then click the “Markup” button.
- Next is to click on “Add butotn” or “add Text” or a “signature”.
- Once you’re through, then click on “Done” twice.
Use your iPhone as a surface level
The next item on the list is a level tool built straight into your iPhone. In case you want to do things such as hanging a frame but you need a level to check if the frame is balanced, you don’t need a giant one as it’s built onto your phone.
In order to use this feature, do the following:
- Open the Measure app
- Then click on “Level” and hold your iPhone against an object.
It’s that simple. Rather than finding an actual level, your iPhone can in fact be the best DIY device in the house.
Remove your last 15 minutes of Search on Google
This part will interest those who are privacy-conscious. If in any case, you’ve searched for something private via Google but you wouldn’t want anyone to snoop around your matter, then here’s a quick trick to quickly delete your last 15 minutes of search history.
- Open the Google app
- Next, click on your profile picture (located at the top right corner).
- Then the third option on the screen would be “Delte last 15 minutes”.
- You don’t need to click on any confirmation button as the feature is automatic. (You can also undo this but the window period is very short)
Use FaceTime like a pro
The current state of the pandemic has led to a different way of handling communications online. If you’re using FaceTime but distracted for whatever reason, there’s a new feature that’ll allow you that luxury without seeming rude.
This feature was introduced with the iOS 14 called Eye Contact and it makes it seem as if you’re keeping eye contact even if you aren’t physically.
In order to do this, follow this simple trick below:
- First, launch the Settings app and then FaceTime
- Slide the toggle next to “Eye Contact” to the right in order to enable it.
That’s it! Next time you’re on a call with someone, be rest assured you’ll keep eye contact with them even if you aren’t.
Use LED flash for notification
This one is quite common but not everyone uses it. If you don’t like the loud sounds produced by your iPhone whenever there is a new notification but you still want to be able to keep up with every notification that comes in on your device, then why not use the LED flashlight that comes with the iPhone.
To do this, follow this short tip below:
- Open the settings app and then head to Accesibility > Audio/Visual
- Next, toggle on the LED Flash for Alerts option.
However, you can also enable Flash on Silent if you just want your iPhone to keep quiet while flashing you in case a notification arrives.
See what’s flying overhead
If you’re a travel enthusiast or you just want to know where an airplane above you is headed, Siri’s got you. All you have to do is ask Siri the phrase “What flights are overhead?” And you’ll be surprised to see the carrier, flight number, and altitude in a matter of seconds.
Mute annoying conversations
If you’re in a group conversation, the constant message pings from other members of that group can be annoying and that is why you’ll want to keep such conversation muted for as long as you want.
- Click and hold conversation (any conversationa t all) in your Messages list
- Then click on “Hide Alerts”
So next time a new message comes in, you’ll not be disturbed by the loud and unnecessary ping.
Siri’s pronounciations can be corrected
Siri’s voice is built with a computer and even though it’s far from being perfect at pronouncing things, you can in fact teach it the correct pronunciation of things or names especially if they’re native.
- So open contacts and select the contact that you want to add a phonetic prononuciation to.
- Next is to click on “Edit” and then add “field”
- Then click “Phonetic” first, middle, or last name.
- Type in a phonetic spelling for your contact’s name in the phonetic field and click on “Done”
If you’d rather do this with your voice, say “Hey Siri, learn to pronounce (contact’s name).” Siri will ask how to pronounce the first and last name.
Check your heart rate without an Apple Watch
You might wonder how possible this is. And yeah, to achieve this, we’ll be using a slightly third-party service called Google Fit. The app works without necessarily strapping a device onto your arm in order to check your heart rate.
In order to achieve this, you’ll need to download the Google Fit app and then log in to your Google account and then have it linked to your Apple Health app before following these steps:
- From the Google Fit app, click “Browse” at the bottom of the screen
- Next, click Vitals and then check your hear rate.
- This works by placing the tip of your finger over your iPhone’s rear camera and wait for about 30 seconds while the app do the magic.
According to Google, the application estimates blood flow via the camera by tracking the subtle changes in the color of your finger (because the app turns on your LED flash which could get hot) In order words, you need your finger to be well-lit.
The Google Fit app can also be used to measure your respiratory rate by observing your chest movements through your smartphone’s front-facing camera.
Check your breathing by selecting Track your respiratory rate in the Vitals menu.
Note: If you do have an Apple Watch, make sure all the essential health settings are turned on.
Shake your iPhone to undo typing
If you want to look cool in public, then this feature might just be what you need as it allows you to undo typing by merely shaking your phone.
You can either shake to undo or redo your mistakes because Apple put the ball in your court.
You can send your precise location
In case of emergency, you’ll want to send your precise location in order to get help. In order to do this, just launch the text message app and do the following:
- Open a text message and choose the person you want to share your location with
- Click the information icon and then “Send my Current Location”. Your recipient will see your location on the map
- You can even choose “Share my Location” and then select the lenght of time you want to share it.
Those are the cool iPhone tips and tricks you should know in 2022 in order to get the best out of your device without necessarily needing a third-party application (except for Google Fit).
