20 iPhone Tips & Tricks

Big sis recently made the transition from the Android phone following to the Apple phone club.

Although she’s owned an iPad amongst her several top of the range gadgets for a while, here are 20 tips I’ve collated for her.

Basic shortcuts

1.       When reading a page in Safari/checking emails/messaging, tap anywhere along the status bar at the top to quickly scroll to the head of that page.

2.       Switching between apps without closing your current one can be achieved by double clicking the home button. This brings up a bar indicating all the ‘open’ apps, in the order that they were last used. Swipe along to find the one you want.

3.       Changing the song playing/volume of your music can also be done in the way above. This option’s located at the very end of the ‘open’ apps bar.

4.       The Notifications Centre is much the same as that of Android. Just pull down the page.

5.       If you added your Facebook/Twitter account to your iPhone you can update your status directly from the notifications screen. Siri too does the job if you don’t want to type out your status.

Calls

6.       Use the On/Off button at the top to quickly send a call to voicemail if you’re unable to take a call and the ringing/vibrating’s getting embarrassing.

7.       Alternatively when receiving a call pull up the handset icon on the bottom right hand corner of the call to choose from the various options. I have a “Sorry I’m driving” message I use. This can be created under Settings->Phone->Reply with message.

8.       Redial your last number called by just pressing “Call” on the keypad. It rings the last number called.

9.       Favourites: Add your most dialled/messaged contacts to this list. This will allow for quicker access to them on your phonebook as well allowing their calls when you use the “Do not disturb” option. Add me to this list!

10.   Do not disturb: This turns off all phone calls/messages (except your listed Favourites), notifications. You can set a time for this e.g. bedtime.

Miscellaneous

11.   Spotlight search:  I use this a lot. It’s pretty much a search tool for the phone. If you swipe to the left, you end up with a search bar and pretty much searches everything for the word typed.

12.   Save battery: Turn off your Bluetooth, location services, 3G internet when not required, they use up lots of battery otherwise. The same goes for Push notifications under Settings->Mail. Keeping it manual means your emails are refreshed only when you refresh them yourself rather than automatically. I do keep my Push notifications on as I prefer it automatically updated. Turn off apps that are used for calls or music after use e.g. Skype as they drain the battery faster. The most obvious battery saver would be the screen brightness found under Settings->Brightness.

13.   Weather and time: Add the cities you’re interested in for both options. To save battery you can choose to turn your hourly weather off.

14.   Screenshot: To take picture of your current screen, press the Home and On/Off button together. The screen should flash and if not on silent you’ll hear the camera click.

15.   Rotation lock: To stop the screen orientation changing especially when lying down, double click the home button and to the left of the Music controls press the rotation icon.

16.   Download Google Maps and YouTube. iOS 6 removed these from their defaults you know you got to have them!

17.   Wallpaper: Settings-> Brightness & Wallpaper. Here you can customise your wallpaper and lock screen to a photo you like.

Privacy

18.   Passcode: Maybe not on your iPad but definitely recommend for your iPhone. No fancy swipe patterns just 4 numbers like a pin. For a complex password got to Settings->General->Simple Passcode to change it.

19.   Siri: Now if e.g. you’d rather not have your Facebook status updated without you knowing, go to Settings and disable Siri when in locked mode.

20.   To prevent certain apps accessing your information location, contacts, calendar, reminders and pictures, go to Settings-> Privacy.

Sending Big Sis an iMessage now J

Lil Sis x