Get the most out of your iPhone 13 with these handy settings in iOS 15

Thanks to iOS 15, the new operating system for the iPhone, you have a lot of new functionalities that your smartphone has. Although you do need to know where to find some of them.

To lend you a hand, Mark lists 10 different settings in this article that will help you get the most out of your iPhone 13. Or any model with iOS 15.

iOS 15: 10 settings for your iPhone 13

iOS 15 has a lot to offer, but the following 10 settings will simply help you get the most out of the software and your iPhone 13:

#1 Unlocking with a mouth cap

Mouth caps: unfortunately we have to believe it again. In the near future, Face ID will therefore again provide more frustration than convenience. It’s a shame, but luckily there is a setting that you can use to make life a little easier. A setting that is only useful for people with an Apple Watch on their wrist.

Through Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Unlock with Apple Watch Is it possible to use your smartwatch as a key? That way, your face is no longer necessary to unlock your iPhone 13 and you are therefore stuck with a mouth cap!

#2 iOS 15: Safari back to normal

iOS 15 has received a lot of commentary, especially in its early days. The operating system for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 provides Safari with a new look. An appearance that is not appreciated by everyone. For example, the address bar of the browser is not at the top, but at the bottom of the screen. A change that can sometimes cause problems for people who can’t stand change (pleasant!).

Luckily the address bar is via Settings -> Safari -> Tabs to put it back. To do this, choose the option One tab instead of Tab bar.

#3 5G: get rid of it!

To turn off 5G on your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, forcing it to always use 4G LTE even if you have 5G coverage, open the Settings app then go to Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data and tap LTE.

Alternatively, if you want your iPhone to exclusively use a 5G connection when available, you can select 5G On.

It’s pretty simple: your iPhone 13 has the capability to use 5G. Do you not have a 5G subscription or do you simply want to take it easy with your data? Then it is possible to switch back to a 4G connection. All you have to do is find the right setting.

Go to Settings -> Cellular Network -> Mobile data options -> Calls and data -> 4G. If you choose the latter option, your phone will be set to 4G by default.

#4 Dark Mode

The dark mode: iPhone users have been asking for it for years, but only got a hearing as of 2019. Since iOS 13 it is possible to provide the home screen, menus and apps with a dark appearance. Something you should definitely try in my opinion. It simply just makes it a whole lot nicer. If you don’t do it for that, you can of course use the functionality to give your eyes some rest.

To enable dark mode on your iPhone 13, go to Settings -> Display & Brightness there you then select the option Dark. Would you like to use the feature in the evenings, but not during the day? Then it is good to know that you can also set it automatically. In this way, your iPhone is light until sunset and then it switches to dark.

#5 Calling Old-Skool

Thanks to iOS 14, calls cycle into the screen of your iPhone a little more subtly. Where previously the entire screen was taken up, users now only have to deal with a small bar at the top. Whether that is an improvement depends of course on the preferences of that user.

If you belong to the group that liked the previous design, it is possible to step back. Proceed to Settings -> Phone -> Incoming it is possible to choose what suits you best. By default, this setting is Strip, but you can also choose full screen.

#6 iOS 15: Focus

The best functionality of iOS 15, in my opinion, is Focus. This new mode tilts Do not disturb to a much higher level. It is possible to set different positions for different moments. For example, you can hide distracting apps during work hours and keep email notifications quiet in your own time.

To set your preferences or create a brand new Focus, go to Settings -> Focus. You can adjust the default options here or create a new one by clicking the plus sign in the top right corner.

#7 Improve Face ID

Face ID generally works great. At the moment, masks are not the most efficient solution, as you could read at the beginning of this list, but normally they are. However, sometimes the system may not recognize you. If this happens quite regularly with you, it might be useful to use the function Configure a different look give it a try.

Go to Settings -> Face ID & Passcode and select the option Configure a different look. You will then come to a window with which you can capture the face again. Only this time with a different look than before.

#8 Change Siri’s voice

Smartphones such as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 can rely on smart assistants such as Siri. This way it is possible to arrange a lot of things without even touching your smartphone for a second. But did you actually know that it is possible to change the assistant’s voice?

You make it through to Settings -> Siri & Search -> Siri Voice to go. There you can choose from different voices.

#9 Locked Control

When your iPhone is locked, you are able to do or arrange a number of things. You can determine yourself in the settings how many of those kinds of things that are. So you can make sure that your phone is really fully locked or that it is still reasonably accessible.

You do that through Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Access on Lock. In this window you can turn things on and off. From the Message Center to Siri: they can all be turned on and off.

#10 iOS 15: overview in notifications

With iOS 15, Apple wants to ensure that you get more overview in your notifications. Because let’s be honest, that can get messy. It is even possible to get an overview of certain notifications every day, at a specific time.

To use this go to Settings -> Notifications -> Scheduled overview. In the window that appears, you can then select a number of apps from which you want to receive notifications. Then you set a time and voila!