1. Prevent applications from pinpointing your precise location

For apps like Doordash and Postmates to bring meals to the correct place or straight to you, they need to know your precise position. This does not imply that every app on your iPhone must always be aware of your exact location. You can stop an app from recording your precise position because of this.

Select an app (such as Instagram) in the Settings app, hit Location, and then turn off Precise Location. Any app that disables precise location will only be able to determine your position within a few miles.

2. Make your iPhone’s back become a button.

To do certain functions, like taking a screenshot, turning on low battery mode, or launching a shortcut that will start playing music as soon as you go to the gym, you may utilize the back of your iPhone as a hidden button. If you have an earlier model, the back of your iPhone will function, but the Action Button on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models all perform the same thing.

Here’s how to locate the option, which is buried deep in your settings.

Double tap or triple tap are the two choices available when you choose Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap in the Settings app. Tapping the back of your iPhone should display a list of tasks that you may do, such as scrolling up and down, turning on the flashlight, and opening your camera. Back Tap can be used to enable a shortcut or action by tapping on it.

3. Increase the battery’s longevity

To move the Charge Limit slider on an iPhone 15 or later, navigate to Settings > Battery > Charging. You have a range of options from 80% to 100%. The default is this. After charging to within a few percentage points of the selected amount, your iPhone will shut off.)

Why do this? The longevity of lithium-ion batteries is increased when they are not completely charged over extended periods of time. See how effective the 95% choice is for you during the day. You may experiment with some of the lower percentage point possibilities if that is more than adequate battery life.

4. Turn on Live Voicemail to receive transcriptions of voicemails in real time.

You don’t want to answer the phone unless it’s an urgent call. Regretfully, the only way to find out is to listen to the voicemail that was left after the call. You may see a real-time transcription of any voicemail left with iOS 17. Yes, you have the option to check voicemails on your phone and decide to answer the call, which will put you in contact with the person who left them.

Since Live Voicemail isn’t enabled by default, activate it by going to Settings > Phone > Live Voicemail. That’s all.

5. Restore full-screen notifications for incoming calls

A banner-style notice with a tiny picture, the name or number of the caller, and the choices to accept or reject the call will show up at the top of your screen if your iPhone is unlocked and you get a call.

The default setting wasn’t always this. Previously, when your iPhone was unlocked, incoming calls would fill the screen. Yes, it was disruptive, but it accomplished the task. Because it’s more covert and lets you use your phone while on the phone, the banner could be a pleasant adjustment for many.

To go back to the more visually appealing full-screen alert, navigate to Settings > Phone > Incoming Calls and choose Full Screen if you’re not a huge fan of the banner.