1. Screening tools for those unexpected calls
If you hate getting a phone call from a number you don’t recognise, but worry about ignoring a call that’s important, you should turn on Apple’s screening tools. Just go to Settings, then Apps, and then Phone, and scroll down to Screen Unknown Callers. Here, you can select between the ‘Silence’ option, which silences calls from unknown numbers completely and automatically sends them to voicemail, or ‘Ask Reason for Calling’.
If you select ‘Ask Reason for Calling’, the next time you get a call from an unknown number, your iPhone will state that they’re screening a call, and asking the caller for the reason they are calling. Then, you’ll get a transcript of the additional information, and can use that to determine whether you should answer.
2. Slider controls for your timer and your flashlight
Open up the Control Centre, and hold the timer button. A screen should appear with a cylindrical slider, which allows you to quickly set a timer of anywhere between 1 minute and 2 hours. Hold the flashlight button, and you’ll see a similar slider; this one controls the intensity of the light. Perfect if you’re trying to light up a room without blinding the person next to you.
3. Hold Assist Detection
Are you sick of being on hold? Go to Settings, then Apps, and then scroll down to turn on Hold Assist Detection. This iPhone feature will automatically detect when you are placed on hold, and save your place in the queue so you can go back to what you were doing. Your iPhone will notify you when a real person picks up. There’s no need to endure that terrible queue music.
Use this feature with caution; some iPhone users have reported that they’ve been hung up on when a real person has picked up.
4. Scan documents with the Notes app
Press and hold the Notes app, and a menu will appear. Select ‘Scan Document’, and you’re able to scan any document using your camera. The app will automatically find the edges of the document, scan it, and then save it to your Notes app. The app will even give the scanned document a name based on what it can read at the top of the scan in question.
5. Search, don’t scroll through your photos
Are you looking for a specific photo or video in your Photos app? Stop scrolling; just hit the magnifying glass in the corner and add your search term. Searching for a photo of your family by the sea? Just type ‘Sea’ and all of your ocean photography will appear. Looking for a meal you had three years ago? Just type ‘food’ to get a collection of all the food you’ve ever recorded. Much easier than scrolling through years of photos and videos.
6. Add voiceover to your screen recordings
When you’re taking a screen recording, hold and press the button rather than tapping, and a menu will appear. At the bottom, there’s a microphone button. Tap that, and your microphone will start recording when the screen recording starts. Perfect for when you’re explaining how to use an app.
