25 Best iOS 15 Secret Features to Try on Your iPhone – Apple revealed iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 at the WWDC 2021 event, including a slew of new features. Among the many improvements included in the latest iOS 7 are enhancements to significant apps such as FaceTime and Messages, offline Siri, and other features. But that’s not all there is to it! While Apple did not demonstrate many of the hidden features in iOS 15 at the keynote, there are several.
Having had my iPhone 12 for about three days now, I’ve had the opportunity to experiment with iOS 15. In our exhaustive testing of the new operating system, we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 most delicate iOS 15 hidden features that you’ll want to try out on your iPhone right away.
25 Best iOS 15 Secret Features to Try on Your iPhone
Here are the lists of 25 Best iOS 15 Secret Features to Try on Your iPhone:
1. Drag and drop between applications
Apple has added support for its well-known ‘Drag and Drop’ feature to the iOS operating system. In iOS 15, you can drag and drop a text, image, link, or file from one app to another by selecting it and dragging it to the other app.
Simple tap and hold on to the file to activate this function, slide up to access the Home Screen with your other finger, open another app, then drag and drop the file into it to make use of it.
2. Suggestions for widgets
iOS 15 adds a new option to the Widget Stack menu, which builds on the devices feature introduced in iOS 14. During creating a widget stack in iOS 15, you will see a new Widget Suggestions option appear. Widget Suggestions will automatically recommend new widgets for your stack depending on how you use and favour your current devices. Many individuals will benefit from this hidden feature in iOS 15, which I believe is incredibly cool!
3. For individual Wi-Fi connections, turn off the Private Relay feature
With the release of iOS 15, Apple unveiled a new feature called Private Relay. This function is part of Apple’s iCloud+ subscription and prevents third-party trackers from intercepting your internet traffic. However, in rare situations, this may cause your internet connection to slow down.
If you believe that Private Relay is interfering with your internet connection, you can disable it for your Wi-Fi connection. Here’s how it’s done:
- Navigate to Wi-Fi settings in the Settings menu.
- To connect to a Wi-Fi network, press the I button next to the network name.
- Now, go down to the bottom of the page and turn off iCloud Private Relay.
4. Pages from the Home Screen should be removed
Apple introduced the App Library with iOS 14, which serves as a central repository for all apps. Apple made it possible for customers to turn off Home Screen pages that were no longer required due to this. Apple’s iOS 15 operating system allows you to remove the concealed Home Screen panels altogether. To accomplish this,
- Long-press any empty place on your Home Screen to bring up the menu.
- Toggle between the dots above the dock.
- Uncheck the box next to the Home screen page that you want to remove from the list.
- Remove the item by clicking on the ‘-‘ sign in the top-left corner of the page.
5. While selecting the text, use a magnifying glass
One of the most requested features has been brought back in iOS 15. When you are selecting text or moving the pointer, a magnifying glass in the style of the pre-iOS 13 version of the app appears. This makes moving the cursor a breeze, and I’m delighted Apple brought it back after a long absence. However, you may still carry the cursor by tapping and holding the space bar on your iPhone.
6. Text size can be customized with different programs
In iOS 15, you may customize the text size for each app separately. To give an example, you can make the text size larger for reading apps while keeping it small (or the default) for other applications. To accomplish this,
- To access the Control Center, go to Settings Control Center.
- Text Size can be increased by using the ‘+’ button next to it.
- Now, launch the application for which you wish to adjust the text-size setting.
- Open Control Center and choose only ‘App’ from the drop-down menu.
- After that, you can change the text size to anything you like.
7. Safari displays real-time text from the camera
The Live Text feature in iOS 15 is a fantastic addition. It makes copying and pasting text much more accessible. However, did you know that you may use Live Text to open the website and emails immediately from your browser?
- Open the Safari browser on your iPhone.
- Select Text from Camera from the address bar by tapping it.
- Now, look up the website’s address on your computer.
- Boom! It will open the website on Safari without any more steps.
- Instead, you can scan any phrase for a quick web search, which is quite convenient.
8. After the power is turned off, the location becomes visible
This is one of my favorite secret iOS 15 features, and I hope you enjoy it as well. Even when you turn off your iPhone, it continues to operate in standby mode. It enters a Power Reserve mode, which allows it to function similarly to an AirTag. When your iPhone is switched off, the location of nearby Apple devices can be used to monitor your iPhone using the Find My app on other Apple devices even when your iPhone is turned off.
Even though your iPhone has been factory reset, Apple claims that you can still track it. When the iPhone is switching off, Apple displays a sign that reads ‘Location visible after power down,’ informing the user that the iPhone can still be monitored even after it has been turned off.
9. New video and audio effects have been added to all video calling applications
Apple unveiled new FaceTime features with iOS 15, including portrait video and voice isolation audio effects and new portrait video and audio effects. Portrait mode blurs the background in the same way we’re used to seeing it in Zoom and Google Meet meetings.
By separating your voice from the background noise, it is easier for others to hear what you are saying and understand what you are saying. But you know what? I’ll tell you something. In addition to Snapchat and WhatsApp, you may use these capabilities in all of your other apps.
More clarity can be achieved by using our instructions on how to blur the background in any video calling application.
10. In Safari, you can use the pull-to-refresh feature
iOS 15 introduces a completely overhauled Safari browser. The updated Safari application for the iPhone has a bottom address bar, tab selection, and other features. However, the refresh button has been relegated to the three dots portion at the bottom of the page with the new look. This results in a two-step process for refreshing the page.
But don’t be concerned! Apple has incorporated a simple ‘Pull-to-Refresh’ gesture into its operating system. Drag down the page until the iOS loading wheel displays and then release the mouse button. It is necessary to reload the webpage.
11. Swipe motions are available in Safari
Closing tabs in the newly revamped Safari is a time-consuming process. This button is too small, and when you have hundreds of tabs open, it gets even more challenging to press. It is a blessing that Apple has implemented a swipe to dismiss tab motion in Safari. To shut a tab, swipe it to the right or left on the screen.
It’s also much simpler to browse between tabs now. When you have more than one tab open, you can browse between them by simply swiping right or left on the screen.
Do you want another suggestion? A new tab will be opened by swiping right on the screen, rather than selecting the tab button and then the + button.
12. Safari should have a backdrop image
On iOS 15, you may even customize the Safari application’s backdrop. To accomplish this,
- Safari will open a new tab for you.
- Select Edit from the drop-down menu.
- Toggle on Background Image and then select the wallpaper of your choice.
- Please keep in mind that you can also import backgrounds using the Photos application.
13. The Spotlight may be accessed from your Lock Screen
This year, there has been a massive improvement to Spotlight. It provides detailed search results, allows you to search within photographs, and much more. The ability to use Spotlight from the Lock Screen was one of the more minor changes that Apple did not publicize. With the addition of a downward swipe on your Lock Screen, you can now access Spotlight. This may come in helpful if you need to find someone quickly or make a short phone call.
14. In the built-in iOS media player, you may adjust the playback speed
YouTube now allows you to stream videos at twice the pace of ordinary. However, this feature is not available on all websites. iOS 15 introduces a new hidden feature in the default media player that allows you to modify the playback speed on your device on your own. By tapping on the three dots in the media player in the iOS 15 media player, you will be presented with a new option called Playback Speed. You can use it to increase or decrease the playing speed of your video by 1.25x, 1.5x, and so on.
15. When using AirTag, you can choose to get notifications when you are left behind
AirTag simplifies the process of tracking down lost or stolen items. With iOS 15, Apple launched a feature that will ensure that you never forget to take your critical goods on your journey.
You may now configure separation alerts for your most essential AirTags, which will notify you when they are separated. Toggle on Notify When Left Behind in the Find My section of the AirTag section. You can also choose a location where AirTag does not have to inform you, which will prevent it from consuming additional battery power.
16. Directly from the Messages app, you can make a FaceTime call
It took two steps to make a FaceTime call using the Messages app before iOS 15. This has changed with iOS 15. First, you have to tap on the contact’s profile photo and then select the video call button to initiate the video call.
By selecting the video camera button at the top right of the screen in iOS 15, you may initiate a FaceTime call right away.
17. Photos app includes EXIF data as well as a ‘Saved From’ field
Until now, iPhone users have been unable to view information such as the image size, resolution, or the sensor from which a shot was taken on their devices. To access more information about a photo, you can hit the small I button in the bottom toolbar of the new Photos application.
18. Convert a live photo into a loop, a bounce, or a long exposure with this tool
On iOS 15, you may also transform a Live Photo into a Loop, Bounce, or Long Exposure by converting it from within the Photos app. When you take a Live Photo, you may convert it into a Loop, Bounce, or Long Exposure by tapping the small downward arrow next to the photo you just took.
19. AirPods can be used to announce notifications and enhance conversational sound
iOS 15 makes it very simple to ask Siri to read all of your alerts or inform you of calling you. Another hidden feature of iOS 15 related to AirPods is the option to increase the volume of conversations.
When you’re in a crowded area and on a phone call, it can be tough to concentrate on the other person’s words. Your AirPods Pro or later models can now amplify the voice of the other person as well.
20. Notifications on rain and snowstorms are available in the Weather app
When a rainstorm or a snowstorm is forecast, the Weather app on iOS 15 will alert you. To make this possible,
- Open the Weather app on your iPhone and check the forecast.
- Select the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Select Notifications from the drop-down menu.
- Turn on notifications for the city in which you wish to get rain notifications if you want to receive them.
21. Hide your IP address from every website you visit
In iOS 15, you have the option of hiding your device’s IP address from third-party trackers and all websites. As a result, your data will not be collected and stored. To make this possible,
- Navigate to Safari under the Settings menu.
- Scroll down until you see Hide IP Address at the bottom of the page.
- Select the desired choice from the drop-down menu in the following popup.
22. Make preparations for your new iPhone
Apple simplified the process of switching between iPhones with iOS 15. A new hidden function called Prepare For Your New iPhone that you may access when you go to the Reset Settings menu.
It is possible to upload your data to iCloud by selecting this option. Even if you don’t have enough capacity on your smartphone, Apple will temporarily enhance your iCloud storage (up to three weeks) to make it easier to transfer between devices. Furthermore, this option will provide you with information about the trade-in value of your gadget.
23. Upgrade your HTTP connection to HTTPS on its own
Safari on iOS 15 automatically upgrades a non-secure HTTP connection to an HTTPS connection. This ensures that the connection between your iPhone and the website is safe and that no one is tapping on your iPhone while it is connected to the website.
24. Keep a record of your app’s activity
With iOS 14, Apple introduced a Privacy Report tool, which created a report of all the third-party trackers attempting to spy on you and their activities. Similar functionality has been added to iOS 15 by Apple, allowing you to view how apps access resources on your iPhone, such as the camera and microphone. You can even view the websites to which the apps upload your data if you know where to look.
To make this possible,
- Navigate to the Privacy section of the Settings menu.
- Scroll down to the Record App Activity section and turn it on.
- It will take some time before the report of app actions begins to appear in this section.
Keep in mind that this function, which logs every app activity, may harm your battery life.
25. Translation on a system-wide scale
With iOS 15, you can now translate text while you’re out and about. All you have to do is select the text you want to translate and then click Translate. A window containing the translated content will appear.
Phew! There was 25 Best iOS 15 Secret Features to Try on Your iPhone. Which of these did you prefer the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below!
