Unlock iOS 26’s Hidden iPhone Tricks You’re Missing Out On

Personalization Tricks

Create Custom Ringtones from Any Audio

Turn any audio file into a ringtone without third-party apps:

1. Open the Files app and locate your audio file
2. Long-press the file and select “Create Ringtone”
3. Trim to your preferred length (up to 30 seconds)
4. Save and assign to contacts or set as default

Productivity Enhancements

Direct Time Entry in Timers and Alarms

Stop scrolling through the time picker:

1. In Clock app, tap the timer or alarm field
2. Type the time directly using the keyboard (e.g., “725” for 7:25)
3. Tap “Set” to confirm

Quick Reminders from Anywhere

Enhanced personalization extends to quick task capture:

1. Highlight any text in any app
2. Tap “Remind Me” in the context menu
3. Set time and location triggers instantly

Close All Safari Tabs at Once

1. Open Safari and long-press the tabs button (bottom-right)
2. Select “Close All Tabs”
3. Confirm to clear your entire tab collection

Advanced Camera Features

Dual Capture Mode (iPhone 17 and newer)

Record with front and rear cameras simultaneously:

1. Open Camera app
2. Tap the Dual Capture icon in settings
3. Frame your shot—both cameras record at once
4. Perfect for reaction videos and vlogs

Quick Burst Mode

Capture rapid-fire shots without holding the shutter:

1. Swipe the shutter button left in Camera app
2. Photos capture in burst sequence
3. Review and select best shots from Photos app

Spatial Photos

The spatial photo feature creates immersive 3D memories:

1. Enable “Spatial Mode” in Camera settings
2. Hold iPhone steady and capture
3. View with depth effect in Photos app or on Vision Pro

Privacy and Accessibility Tools

Call Screening

Let AI handle unknown callers:

1. Go to Settings → Phone → Call Screening
2. Toggle on “Screen Unknown Callers”
3. Unknown calls are answered by Apple Intelligence, which provides a transcript

Native Call Recording with Transcription

1. During a call, tap the recording button in the call interface
2. All parties are notified automatically (legal requirement)
3. Access recordings and AI-generated transcripts in the Phone app

Keep Audio in AirPods During CarPlay

Stop audio from switching to car speakers:

1. Settings → Bluetooth → Your AirPods → Connect to This iPhone
2. Enable “Keep Audio in Headphones”
3. Music and podcasts stay in your AirPods even when CarPlay connects

Head Tracking Accessibility

Control your iPhone with head movements:

1. Settings → Accessibility → Head Tracking
2. Enable and calibrate using the front camera
3. Navigate by moving your head; dwell on items to select

Additional Tweaks to More Advanced Privacy and Capture Settings

Single-Touch Actions

Simplify complex gestures:

1. Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Single Touch
2. Enable to perform multi-finger gestures with one tap

Enhance Privacy with App Privacy Report

1. Settings → Privacy & Security → App Privacy Report
2. Enable to see which apps access your data and when
3. Review weekly summaries to identify suspicious activity

These hidden iOS 26 features significantly improve daily iPhone use once you know where to find them. Most require just a few taps to enable, but the productivity and convenience gains add up quickly.