22 iPhone Settings You Need to Change Right Now

Irrespective of how lengthy you have had your iPhone, there are at all times settings to discover that may make it work higher for you.

Perhaps you are trying to declutter your private home display screen otherwise you wish to preserve a bit extra battery all through your day. Though some settings are simple, others are hidden deep along with your iPhone, so that you must know the place to look.

No matter it’s you wish to do to enhance your iPhone expertise, we have got a listing of twenty-two settings you may wish to discover on iOS — at the very least one in all them is certain to assist.

And if you wish to take a sneak peek into the longer term, take a look at what Apple has deliberate for iOS 16 within the fall, together with all the brand new main options that will likely be obtainable on iOS 16 and which gadgets will likely be suitable with iOS 16. You too can get your fingers on a beta model of iOS 16 proper now.

1. Cease apps from monitoring your precise location

Apps like Doordash, Postmates, Google Maps and Waze all require your precise location to ship meals to the proper location or direct you to the place you wish to go. However not all apps have to know exactly the place you might be at each second.

You’ll be able to simply stop any app from monitoring your precise location. Within the Settings app, select an utility (like Instagram, for instance), faucet Location after which toggle off Exact Location. Any app with Exact Location off will solely know your approximate location, inside just a few miles.

Learn extra: Why You Could Wish to Revoke Exact Location Permissions From Instagram

2. Faucet the again of your iPhone to carry out sure actions

The again of your iPhone can be utilized as a management to activate sure actions, like take a screenshot or allow low energy mode, and run shortcuts that may robotically play music once you arrive on the fitness center or flip in your sensible lights once you get house. Nonetheless, the setting is hidden deep in your settings — this is methods to discover it.

Within the Settings app, go to Accessibility > Contact > Again Faucet and select one of many two tapping choices (double or triple faucet). You must see a listing of actions you possibly can run by tapping the again of your iPhone, like opening your digital camera, turning on the flashlight, scrolling up and down and extra. Faucet on on motion or shortcut to arm it.

3. Deliver again full-screen incoming name alerts

In case your iPhone is unlocked and also you obtain a cellphone name, a banner-style notification will seem on the high of your display screen, with a photograph and title of the individual calling, and the choices to choose up or deny the decision. However this banner wasn’t at all times there.

Earlier than iOS 14, the incoming name display screen would take over your complete show when your iPhone was unlocked and in use. It was disruptive, certain, nevertheless it additionally obtained the job finished. 

When the banner appeared, it was a welcome change for a lot of, as a result of it is extra discreet and lets you nonetheless use your cellphone whereas receiving a name. Nonetheless, if for any motive you are not a giant fan of the banner and wish to revert to the extra attention-grabbing full-screen alert, go to Settings > Telephone > Incoming Calls and faucet Full Display screen.

4. Flip off 5G protection you don’t need or have

Apple touts a Good Information function that is particular to its 5G telephones (iPhone 12 and iPhone 13) that may robotically swap between 4G LTE and 5G networks primarily based on the way you’re utilizing your machine. 

Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll discover that your iPhone’s battery drains quicker than it did earlier than. Should you do not wish to sacrifice battery life for quicker 5G speeds, shut it down. You’ll be able to at all times flip 5G again on once you need it, or when service in your space improves.

To flip off 5G in your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, forcing it to at all times use 4G LTE even when you have 5G protection, open the Settings app, then go to Mobile > Mobile Information Choices > Voice & Information and faucet LTE.

Alternatively, in order for you your iPhone to completely use a 5G connection when obtainable, you possibly can choose 5G On.

Learn extra: AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Professional: Evaluating Apple’s Newest Earbuds

5. High-quality-tune how a lot knowledge is utilized by a 5G connection

Should you’re completely satisfied along with your 5G efficiency, this is a network-related setting you need to take a look at. Go to Settings > Mobile > Mobile Information Choices > Information Mode, the place you may discover three totally different choices: Enable extra knowledge on 5G, Normal and Low Information Mode.

Though there are temporary descriptions beneath the three totally different settings, they do not paint an entire image for the primary choice. In response to an Apple assist doc, permitting extra knowledge on 5G will provide you with high-quality video and FaceTime calls. It additionally permits your cellphone to obtain software program updates and stream high-definition Apple TV and Apple Music content material, and it permits third-party builders to additionally enhance their respective apps.

The default setting on this web page will rely in your service and your knowledge plan, so it is a good suggestion to test your iPhone and ensure it is appropriately set to your choice.

6. Cease apps from cluttering up your private home display screen

The App Library is a spot the place you possibly can rapidly discover and entry your whole purposes. And whereas apps are housed right here, all newly downloaded apps additionally seem on your private home display screen. This might not be an issue when you obtain apps sparingly, however when you’re putting in new apps on a constant foundation, they’ll rapidly muddle up your private home display screen.

To cease downloaded apps from showing on your private home display screen, go to Settings > House Display screen and choose App Library Solely. If you wish to discover the app, you may need to swipe left on your private home display screen till you attain the App Library.

7. Unlock your cellphone whereas carrying a face masks

One of many irritating facets of carrying a face overlaying has been the shortcoming to unlock an iPhone with Apple’s Face ID expertise. As a result of half of your face is roofed, Face ID simply would not work. And whereas getting into your passcode to unlock your cellphone works, it is not as handy. 

With iOS 15.4, you now have the choice to activate a face unlock function that makes it straightforward to unlock your iPhone once you’re carrying a face masks. Earlier than the replace, you would solely unlock your iPhone if you owned an Apple Watch. 

To unlock your iPhone along with your Apple Watch, open the Settings app in your iPhone after which open the Face ID & Passcode choice. Scroll down till you discover the Unlock with Apple Watch part (you have to be related to an Apple Look ahead to the setting to look), the place you possibly can activate the function for any watches linked to your iPhone. 

In case you have an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 that runs iOS 15.4 or later, you possibly can unlock your iPhone whereas carrying a masks with out an Apple Watch. Go to the Settings app and open Face ID & Passcode. From there, you possibly can toggle Face ID With a Masks and select the Face ID With a Masks choice. It is fairly superior. 

8. Put the tackle bar in Safari again on high

The tackle in Safari migrated to the underside of the display screen with the introduction of iOS 15 — a welcome addition for these with smaller fingers who had problem reaching it with one hand on the high. Whereas this transfer would possibly really feel extra pure, because it’s nearer to the keyboard and the place you sometimes place your thumbs, it may be off-putting since many individuals are used to seeing the URL bar close to the highest of the display screen.

If you wish to put the tackle bar again on the high of the display screen, go to Settings, faucet Safari and select the Single Tab choice beneath the Tabs subheading. 

9. Add options that can be utilized when your iPhone is locked

There are occasions once you would possibly wish to have sure data useful even when your cellphone is locked. That is why Apple lets you allow some options with out having to unlock your machine, such because the notification middle, Management Heart, the flexibility to answer to messages and the Pockets app.

To customise the options you’d prefer to entry on the lock display screen, launch the Settings menu, faucet Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode when prompted. Scroll down till you see the Enable Entry When Locked part, and toggle the sliders primarily based in your preferences. 

10. Make your favourite electronic mail app or net browser your default

It was a very long time coming, however 2020’s iOS 14 replace lastly introduced the flexibility to decide on your personal default apps — at the very least for electronic mail and net shopping. That implies that once you faucet a hyperlink or an electronic mail ship button, your iPhone will robotically launch the online browser or electronic mail supplier of your selecting moderately than Safari or Mail. 

To get began, open the Settings menu and choose the app you’d prefer to set as a default (akin to Google Chrome or Outlook). You must then see a button that claims Default Mail App or Default Browser App. Faucet that choice and choose the app of your selecting as a substitute of Safari or Mail. 

Learn extra: If You Care About Your Privateness, You Must Change These Browser Settings

11. Get full notifications in your lock display screen

The primary time you expertise Apple’s Face ID tech, you may discover you can’t see the content material of recent alerts and notifications on the lock display screen. For instance, as a substitute of seeing who despatched you a textual content message and what it says, you may solely see a generic Messages alert.

By default, all iPhones with Apple’s Face ID tech will disguise the content material of an alert till you decide up your cellphone and unlock it. It is a privateness function that I moderately get pleasure from, however I additionally perceive the way it may very well be annoying (I’ve heard just a few complaints from readers and members of the family alike).

You’ll be able to change how notifications seem in your lock display screen by going to Settings > Notifications > Present Previews and deciding on All the time. Conversely, you possibly can choose By no means if you wish to maintain the content material of your notifications at all times hidden from the lock display screen.

12. Flip off (or on) HDR video for sharing movies

Telephones within the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups can file excessive dynamic vary (HDR) video with Dolby Imaginative and prescient. Meaning your movies will likely be brighter with extra correct colours and improved distinction. Sounds superior, proper? It’s. However there’s an issue — not each app or service will work with HDR video. 

Builders might want to replace their apps with a purpose to settle for HDR video, however even then, the individual viewing the video will want a succesful machine to see the distinction in high quality. For Apple gadgets, these embody the iPhone 8 or newer, the 2020 iPad Air, the second-generation iPad Professional and some Macs. 

So, what are you able to do to share movies universally? Effectively, you could have just a few choices: 

• You’ll be able to flip off HDR video by going to Settings > Digital camera > Document video and turning the swap subsequent to HDR Video to the Off place. Going ahead, all movies will likely be captured in customary dynamic vary, and you should not have any points sharing or modifying it.
• Depart HDR Video turned on, however once you wish to share the video, with Fb for instance, use the Photographs app as a substitute of going into the Fb app and importing it. If you use the Photographs app, your iPhone will robotically convert the video to SDR and add it. If you ship the video to a different iPhone person, Apple will detect if their iPhone, iPad or Mac is suitable with HDR Dolby Imaginative and prescient. If it is not, Apple will convert the video robotically.
• Should you depart HDR Video on and have to edit your video, you need to use Apple’s iMovie app or the Photographs app that is constructed into your iPhone. You’ll be able to even use iMovie to export the video as SDR if wanted. 

13. Customise your private home display screen with fancy wallpaper

One other house display screen tweak you need to make includes your wallpaper or background. Apple has added some new wallpapers of its personal, with a reasonably cool twist. 

Open the Settings app in your iPhone and choose Wallpaper from the listing. Make sure that the swap labeled “Darkish Look Dims Wallpaper,” which you may see beneath the 2 thumbnail previews of your wallpaper, is turned on. Now, faucet Select a brand new wallpaper and choose both Stills or Dwell. See the circle close to the underside of every wallpaper? It is half black, half white. 

That circle implies that the wallpaper has each mild and darkish mode variations and can change robotically primarily based on the system standing of your cellphone. 

You too can set stay wallpapers as your background when you’re not offered on darkish and lightweight mode.

14. Activate darkish mode to avoid wasting your battery

Talking of darkish mode, when you do not wish to need to repeatedly modify your display screen’s brightness, you need to use your cellphone’s devoted darkish mode. Darkish mode converts all the white backgrounds in apps to, most of the time, a black background. In flip, your cellphone is ready to save battery energy due to the darker colours. 

Flip it on by going to Settings > Show & Brightness and deciding on the Darkish choice on the high of the display screen. 

Apple’s apps will robotically swap to a darkish colour scheme, and most third-party apps have additionally adopted the function. 

15. Handle your notifications with Focus Mode

We get a whole lot of notifications day by day, however not all of them are related on a regular basis. With iOS 15, Apple launched a function known as Focus Mode. Consider it as a customized Do Not Disturb function that is tailor-made to particular circumstances. 

Focus Mode blocks much less related alerts, whereas permitting notifications from essential folks and apps to return by in order that you do not miss something. You’ll be able to arrange several types of Focus Modes for particular circumstances. 

Apple at present presents choices for Do Not Disturb, private, sleep, work, driving, health, gaming, mindfulness and studying, however you can even create your personal customized mode. You’ll be able to schedule Focus Modes in order that they activate robotically when wanted, and show your standing in apps in order that others know you could have notifications silenced. 

To get began, open the Settings menu, faucet Focus and select one of many obtainable choices to arrange your notification preferences. Faucet the plus (+) image within the high proper nook so as to add a brand new Focus. 

16. Make your display screen textual content greater or smaller

With a few faucets in your iPhone’s display screen, you possibly can modify the font dimension to make it simpler to learn. Open Settings and go to Show & Brightness > Textual content Dimension the place you need to use the slider till you are pleased with the font dimension. 

For a bit added oomph, you possibly can activate Daring Textual content (it is slightly below the Textual content Dimension button). 

17. Add an alternate look to Face ID

Apple’s facial recognition function — Face ID — consistently learns totally different facets of your face with every scan. Should you’re struggling to get Face ID to constantly acknowledge you, attempt the Alternate Look choice. 

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > enter your PIN > Set Up An Alternate Look and undergo the method of enrolling your face once more. 

18. Disable auto brightness for longer battery cost

Your iPhone’s display screen brightness stage can have a big effect on battery life. By default, iOS will robotically modify the show’s brightness primarily based on how a lot mild its ambient sensor detects. However if you wish to take full management, you possibly can disable auto-brightness, that means the brightness stage will keep the place you set it till you modify it once more. 

Open Settings > Accessibility > Show & Textual content Dimension and on the backside of the web page, you may discover a swap to show off Auto-Brightness. 

Now, everytime you wish to modify your display screen, you are able to do so by opening Management Heart with a swipe up from the underside of the display screen on a tool with a house button, or a swipe down from the top-right nook on newer iPhones. 

19. Triage your privateness settings

The primary time you arrange an iPhone with your whole apps, you are bombarded with prompts asking for permissions to entry private info starting from monitoring your location to your Apple Well being info or your digital camera roll. 

It is too straightforward to get within the behavior of approving every part simply so you need to use the app, however take a couple of minutes and undergo your privateness settings to tailor what every app can and may’t see. We stroll you thru the entire privateness course of in two fast steps. 

20. Use Management Heart to entry apps with a swipe or faucet

The iPhone’s Management Heart is a handy spot to rapidly change songs, activate airplane mode, hook up with Wi-Fi or begin a timer, however there’s a lot extra to it than that. You’ll be able to rapidly flip your flashlight on, test on a timer or begin recording your display screen with a fast swipe and faucet. 

Customise which apps and options can be found in Management Heart by opening Settings > Management Heart. Take away an choice with a faucet on the purple minus button or add an choice by deciding on the inexperienced addition button. Drag options up or down utilizing the three-line icon on the proper facet of the display screen. 

Personally, I like having fast entry to the Pockets app and toggles for low-power mode and darkish mode. 

As a reminder, when you have an iPhone with a house button, just like the iPhone SE, you possibly can swipe up from the underside of the display screen to open Management Heart. In case you have an iPhone with Face ID, you may have to swipe down from the top-right nook of the display screen the place the battery icon is. 

21. Arrange alerts with Notification Abstract

Apple desires that will help you handle your notifications in iOS 15, beginning with the Notification Abstract function. Fairly than letting notifications pile up on your private home display screen, you possibly can schedule alerts that are not pressing to reach in a bundle at a selected time of day. 

Necessary notifications like calls, direct messages and different time-sensitive alerts (just like the standing of your Uber or Lyft experience, for instance) will nonetheless seem instantly.

To do this out, open Settings, press Notifications and faucet Scheduled Abstract. 

22. Change Siri’s voice

Should you’ve just lately arrange a brand new iPhone, you might have observed that Siri now not defaults to a feminine voice. As an alternative, you may be requested which Siri voice you wish to use, together with a number of more moderen choices. As soon as you have made your choice, Apple will change Siri’s voice throughout all the gadgets linked to your Apple ID.

You’ll be able to take a look at the voice choices by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice. To study extra, take a look at our full information to altering Siri’s sound. 

Apple additionally added a gender-neutral Siri voice choice for English audio system in iOS 15.4. 

For extra, this is methods to arrange your new iPhone and methods to switch your knowledge out of your outdated iPhone. Plus, this iOS 15 trick offers you extra iCloud storage free of charge.