iPhone tips and tricks - 15 incredible things you never knew your Apple iPhone could do

APPLE’S iPhone has plenty of must-have features but here’s 15 top tips and tricks you probably didn’t know you could do on the this popular smartphone.

By David Snelling, Technology Editor

iPhone tips and tricksAPPLE • GETTY

15 top iPhone tips revealed

If you own an iPhone you’re probably well-used to accessing its most important features.

However, this popular smartphone is packed with plenty of hidden extras that can be incredibly handy.

From instant faster charging to the best calculator trick ever, here’s our guide to 15 hidden features you probably never knew about.

MAKE A VERY QUICK CALL

If you're ever in need to quickly redial the last number you called from your iPhone, there's a shortcut that will save you a few taps.

Launch the Phone app (the green iOS app with the picture of the telephone handset).

But instead of tapping on the Recents tab (with the picture of the clock face), just tap on the green call button in the main keypad screen.

This will instantly phone the last number dialled.

Apple iPhone tips callsGETTY • APPLE

Make a quick redial by simply pressing the green call button

FIND THE HIDDEN TRACK PAD

iOS has always had a very reliable way to move your text cursor – holding down on the text until a small magnifying glass appears, which can be dragged to your desired spot.

But with the introduction of 3D Touch, Apple has included an even better way to quickly select and navigate around a body of text.

Press harder on the standard iOS keyboard and the individual keys will disappear and the turn a shade of grey, transforming the surface into a digital trackpad.

Sliding your thumb around the greyed-out surface will move the cursor. Push harder again, and you can select text as the cursor moves.

If you highlight the wrong word, just release the pressure slightly – without lifting your finger from the display – and then push harder again to de-select.

Apple iPhone tipsApple • Getty

Press and hold on the keyboard to get an instant trackpad

QUICKLY ZOOM ON ANY PART OF THE SCREEN

Buried in the Accessibility tab of the Settings app, Apple has included a setting that's disabled by default – Peek Zoom.

This allows you to zoom into any screen in iOS by pressing hard on the screen. If you lessen the force on the display, the screen will zoom-out

The zoom is controlled via the Zoom Controller, that appears when Zoom and Show Controller is enabled.

To begin using the option, navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Zoom and then switch on Zoom and Show Controller.

BEST CALCULATOR TRICK

If you're anything like us, you probably hit the C key whenever you mistype a number within the iOS calculator app.

By rather than resetting the entire sum – there is an easy way to delete the last number you entered.

Simply swipe left or right on the calculator display panel to delete the last entered digit.

Apple iPhone tipsAPPLE • GETTY

Swipe on the number to delete it without having to cancel the full sum

TURN YOUR iPHONE INTO AN INSTANT SPIRT LEVEL

Want to know if that shelf you've just screwed to wall is level?

Forget clogging up your home screen with another annoying app – just head to Apple's pre-installed compass app and, once launched, swipe left to reveal the ultimate digital spirt level.

SCREENSHOT ON iPHONE X

If you’ve upgraded to the stunning new you might be baffled by how to take a screenshot.

On previous iPhone models this is done by pressing the power button and home button at the same time.

However, with the iPhone X getting rid of the home button there’s now a new way of snapping what’s on your display.

To take a screenshot on the iPhone X simply press the larger Siri button on the right of the phone and the volume up switch at the same time.

Apple iPhone tipsGETTY • APPLE

Your iPhone can be turned into a handy spirit level

GO TO SLEEP WITH MUSIC

Here's a neat trick if you like to be sent to sleep with sounds.

Simply go to the Clock app and press timer.

Next, tap the "When Timer Ends" button and select Stop Playing.

Then set the timer for the desired time and start your tunes – when the clock hits zero the music will stop.

SUPER-FAST CHARGING

Apple’s latest iPhone 8 and iPhone X both allow for faster charging but, if you don’t have one of these devices there’s still a way to charge things more quickly.

Swipe up on your home screen to reveal the control centre and tap on the airplane icon.

This will put your phone in Airplane Mode and will also mean your phone charges to full around 5 minutes faster.

Just make sure you remember to exit Airplane Mode when you're fully powered up.

If you have a larger iPad charger this will also make filling the phone even faster.

It’s worth remembering that Apple only recommends using official chargers as unofficial versions can cause a fire risk.

Apple iPhone tipsAPPLE • GETTY

Do not disturb mode will stop messages when you are driving

FASTER MESSAGING

If you want to bash out messages even faster this is handy tip.

When adding a symbol or number to a text, simply press and hold the number key.

Then, still pressing the screen, move your finger to the desired character.

Release your finger and the keyboard will automatically return to letters – so you can keep on typing.

A HANDY FEATURE WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL

With drivers now facing hefty penalties if they use their phones whilst driving there’s a new feature to help stop distracting you.

Do Not Disturb While Driving keeps notifications and texts from interrupting you when you might be behind the wheel, and sends a customised response to people you specify.

To access and set this up go to Settings > Do Not Disturb.

Apple iPhone tips and trickAPPLE • GETTY

Hail an Uber by simply asking Siri

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR PHOTOS

If you own a recent iPhone you'll no doubt have enjoyed the Live Photos mode.

This clever feature takes a small clip of video before and after a picture is taken.

Along with making images come to life there's a neat trick with Live photos that adds some fun to your family snaps.

Head to your images in the Photos App, find a Live Photo and simply swipe up to reveal effects like Loop or Bounce.

KNOW WHO’S CALLING WITHOUT CHECKING

If your iPhone is buried in your pocket you can still know who's calling without checking the display.

In Contacts, select a friend or family member and tap Edit.

Then, where it says Ringtone tap on the word Default - this will take you to a new set of options including Vibration.

Tap on this setting and choose how you want your iPhone to react when that contact calls.

Commercial for Apple's iPhone X

TAKE A PHOTO AND VIDEO AT THE SAME TIME

If you are videoing something and want to take a picture you can.

The iPhone allows you record and snap at the same time. All you need to do is press the shutter button which appears next to the video button. 

SIRI CAN GET YOU A LIFT HOME

If you can't be bothered to tap on the Uber app there is a simple way to hail a cab.

Siri has full integration with Uber and Apple's clever personal assistant can get you home with a simple voice command.

Just say "Siri, get me an Uber", or "Siri, take me home in an Uber X" and you'll be ordered a cab in a flash.

HIDE YOUR PHOTOS

If you've got some snaps that are for your eyes only, there's a simple way to hide them.

Simply head to your Photos app, select the pictures you want to make disappear, tap share (the small sqaure icon with an up arrow) and select Hide.

You can then find these photos in the hidden folder within your Albums.

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