The iPhone is the smartest phone on the planet, though many people don’t unlock its true potential by making the most of its features. Luckily, we’ve put together a how to guide with some need-to-know functions. 

How to arrange or delete apps

Want to clear some space on your iPhone, or just want to make your home page look a little neater?

To edit your app layout, simply hold your finger on an app icon. When it starts to wiggle, you can then move or delete it. To delete it, just press the little cross in the top right-hand corner of the app icon.

If you want to sort your apps into folders, just drag one onto another to create one. Your phone will assign it a name based on the category of the app. Change this by simply clicking on the name and typing in a new one.

To stop your apps from wiggling and go back to normal, simply hit the Home button on the iPhone 8 or earlier. For iPhone X and later, tap the ‘done’ button.

How to close apps

Returning to the home page doesn’t close an app – you need to close them manually if you don’t want them to run in the background.

If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier, you can choose which apps remain open by double-clicking the Home button. When the App Switcher pops up, swipe up on the ones you want to close.

On an iPhone X or later, you can close an app by swiping up and holding from the bottom of the display. When the App Switcher pops up, swipe up to close the apps.

How to screenshot

Want to keep something you want to go and look back at, or send on something to the group chat? Take a screenshot!

For iPhone 8 or earlier, simply press the Home and lock button at the same time. For iPhone X and later, press the side button and volume down button at the same time.

Your screenshot will appear in the bottom left hand side of your screen. If you want to keep it as it is, just swipe it away to the left. If you want to crop or add text or a drawing, click on the screengrab and edit on the screen.

How to find your own number

Can’t seem to find your number on your iPhone? There are two places you can find it.

Click on the Phone app and head to Contacts. Your phone number will be at the top of the contacts, above the alphabetised list listed as “My Card”. If you head to the Contacts app, you’ll find it in the same place.

How to use your space bar as a trackpad

Do you struggle to go back and amend typos or just feel like your fingers are way too big for your phone?

Well, fret not because your space bar doubles as a trackpad! By simply holding your finger on the space bar you’ll be able to drag your finger to act as a cursor through the text.

How to create custom vibrations

Like to keep your phone on silent, but still want to know who’s contacting you?

Now you can! If you go into your contacts and select someone, hit edit. You’ll be able to see a vibration option where you can select one of many including a “create new vibration” tool. Tap the screen to the beat of your choice and voila, you have a custom vibration for that person.

How to teach Siri proper pronunciations

Frustrated with Siri always getting your name wrong? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way!

First, start off by activating Siri. Prompt them by saying phrases like “that’s not how you pronounce…” or “ can I teach you how to pronounce…” and Siri will guide you through the process of teaching them how to pronounce you or your friends’ names correctly.

How to start a group FaceTime call

Whether for business or personal reasons, hopping onto a group video call can be a great way to get everyone on the same page quickly.

Start by opening the FaceTime app. In the top right-hand of the screen, you’ll see a + button. There you can enter the name or number of the person you want to call first and follow through with up to 30, yes THIRTY additional contacts. Then you just have to choose if you’re making a FaceTime audio or video call and you’re all set.

How to frame your photos better

Do you ever feel like your photos never come out looking straight and level?

Luckily you can turn on a grid setting to divide your screen into thirds both horizontally and vertically to help you better frame photos. The grid will be superimposed on your Camera app but won’t appear on any of your photos.

To turn on your grid, simply head to settings, hit the camera settings and click “enable grid”.

While grid lines will help you improve the composition of your photos, you can also level your photos by aligning the crosshairs that appear on your screen. There is a white one and a yellow one and when they line up, your photo is level and good to go!

How to restore erased text

Have you ever been typing something and accidentally erased it all? It’s tragic and happens to the best of us.

However, much like the feature to erase all text by shaking your phone and clicking the “undo” button that pops up, you can “redo” your text as well!

If it’s just happened, you can shake your phone again and a similar screen will pop up with options to “cancel” or “redo.” Simply click the latter and all your hard work will be restored.

For more advice on getting the most out of the latest Apple tech visit our friendly team of experts at Sync Store on Deansgate.