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10 hidden iPhone tricks Apple never told you about

Published Nov 18th, 2016 12:00PM EST
iOS 10 Tips And Tricks
Image: Apple Inc.

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Apple’s iOS 10 software is packed so full of features at this point that it’s absolutely impossible to remember them all. The engineers and designers responsible for creating the iPhone and Apple’s iOS 10 software can’t even remember them all. The same can be said of any computer, of course, but when it comes to your iPhone you could be missing out on great features that improve your experience day in and day out.

Today, we’ve got a fresh new batch of hidden iPhone tricks for you and we guarantee two things: first, you will definitely learn something new from today’s list even if you’re an iPhone expert. And second, you’ll find some fantastic hidden tricks on this list and use at least a few of them all the time.

MUST SEE: Apple’s iPhone 8 won’t look anything like this, but we can still dream

The tricks on today’s list all revolve around 3D Touch, a flagship feature Apple introduced with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus last year, and also included on this year’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. It’s a very nifty feature that lets the iPhone respond differently to touches depending on how much force is used, but there’s a downside: There’s absolutely no indication of where 3D Touch works and doesn’t work in iOS, which is why posts like this one are so useful.

With that, here are some hidden 3D Touch features you should definitely check out:

  • Press firmly on Apple’s iOS keyboard to turn it into a trackpad that controls the cursor
  • Press firmly on the left edge of the screen and swipe toward the center to open the app switcher UI
  • Many people know the trick above, but did you know you don’t have to swipe at all? Just press more firmly and the app switcher will pop open
  • Press firmly on any folder containing apps with unread notifications and you’ll see a menu with shortcuts to the specific apps with notifications
  • Press firmly on the App Store icon for a shortcut to update all apps with available updates
  • Press firmly on the Calendar app icon for a widget that shows you your schedule for the day
  • Press firmly on the Phone app icon for a widget that shows your first four favorite contacts
  • Press firmly on the Weather app icon for a widget that shows current conditions and the day’s forecast
  • Press firmly on the Maps app icon for a widget of your upcoming destinations
  • Press firmly on the “X” in Notification Center for an option to clear all notifications

Want to check out some more useful tips and tricks for the iPhone? Check out this post from earlier this month.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.