The 10 hidden functions to better control your iPhone

The iOS system is rich in features that Apple continues to enrich with each update. While some are highlighted by the Californian company, others are less so. Do you own an iPhone running iOS 10? Discover 10 tips to increase productivity!

• Transform your keyboard into a Trackpad!

Tip for iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 owners only.

Since the iPhone 6s, iPhone screens have been able to recognize the pressure exerted on them. This technology called 3D Touch saves time in many applications, but also in certain system functions. Apple, for example, offers to transform its keyboard into a Trackpad in order to move the cursor more easily. Nothing could be simpler: press firmly on the keyboard and hold your finger on it. The letters of the keys will disappear and you can then move your finger which will behave like a mouse. Ideal for quickly correcting a spelling error. Little additional tip: adding a dose of pressure when you are on a word will allow you to select it entirely!

• Better manage your tabs in Safari

If you’ve ever had to manage dozens of tabs in your iPhone browser simultaneously, this tip should make your life easier. To close all your tabs, tap and hold the icon at the bottom right of a page and select Close x tabs. Don’t panic if you’ve closed an important page by mistake! Click again on the icon then keep your finger pressed on the “+” button. Safari will then offer you to reopen the tabs of your choice among those you have just closed.

• Know who is calling you better

Sometimes the phone rings, but you don’t have the screen in front of you. Here are two tips that will allow you to recognize your correspondent. The first: ask Siri to tell you her name. Apple’s voice assistant can add the name of the sender to your ringtone, in order to save you time. Go to Settings, Phone then Call announcement. You can then ask Siri to announce incoming calls in different situations (when you have headphones or in the car for example).

The second: it is possible to personalize the vibrations according to the contacts. History of recognizing the person who calls you when the iPhone is in your pocket. To configure the function, go to your contact’s file, click on Modify, select Ringtone then go to the Vibration section. You will then be able to record sequences of vibrations by touching the screen for several seconds. As fun to do as it is practical on a daily basis.

• Remember to call someone back

New Call Tip: If someone calls you when you haven’t finished something, you can ask your iPhone to schedule a reminder later. Click on Reminder above the button Refuse and choose the right time. Your iPhone can even use geolocation to schedule this reminder only when you get home.

• Adjust the intensity of the flashlight

Tip for iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 owners

Since iOS 7, Apple offers in the “Control Center” a button to turn on the flashlight. New subtly added with the 3D Touch screen of the iPhone 6s: the ability to control its intensity. Press the flashlight button with the 3D Touch and the iPhone will allow you to choose between three levels of intensity. We just regret that this functionality was not extended to old iPhones …

• Spotlight: a good habit to take

If you are one of those many users unable to sort their applications, this habit is for you! Instead of poking around through the dozens of pages on your home screen, just slide your finger across the screen from top to bottom on any of those pages to deploy Spotlight. Type the first letters of the desired application and… voila!

• Use new iMessage features

Since iOS 10, Apple has offered dozens of new functions related to iMessage to bring more life to your conversations. The first of them: sending a message with animation: Leave your finger pressed for a few seconds (or use the 3D Touch on a recent iPhone) on the small send arrow and you will have access to dozens of different animations. Screaming message, message with balloons… We let you discover them!

Second function: tilt your iPhone horizontally to open the drawing tool. Write or draw a message which will then be sent by hand to your correspondent.

Last function to make the conversation more lively: the “Tapback”. Double tap on a message to add a little reaction. Ideal in group conversations!

• Turn your iPhone into a bubble level

Are you putting together a piece of furniture and you suspect it is not straight? Launch the compass app and go to the right section. The iPhone will turn into a level and tell you the correct degree of tilt. A little trick to calibrate the level: put the smartphone on the ground and tap the screen.

• Hide native apps

If the application Compass does not interest you, you can remove it from iOS 10. Indeed, some native applications can be deleted in the same way as those downloaded from the App Store. Hold your finger down on their icon and click Remove. The application can then be retrieved from the App Store. Small flat nevertheless: this manipulation does not free any space. The application is no longer displayed but remains installed on your device …

• A virtual Home button

Last tip: if you’ve ever broken your iPhone, you might know AssistiveTouch. With this function, Apple proposes to add a small icon on the screen that can be moved and which reproduces the action of physical buttons. To activate it, it’s very simple: go to Settings, General, Accessibility, then select AssistiveTouch. Once the function is activated, a small round logo should appear on the screen.

All these little tips will allow you to better control your iPhone… and to impress your friends! What to occupy you while waiting for the arrival of iOS 11 which should bring its share of new functionalities. We look forward !