Whether you are a seasoned user or brand new to the iPhone – Canada's most popular smartphone with about 65 percent market share – chances are you are not using your device to its fullest potential. We tend to stick with what we know and rarely venture out of our comfort zone. That is, until someone shows you a few impressive tips and tricks that make you say, 'Shut the front door!'
Take heed of these lesser-known features embedded in your iPhone to help save you time, money, and aggravation. Some are new, while others have been around for a while but are worth calling out if you have not tried them yet. Most of these tips work with all iPhone models, including older ones, but make sure you have the latest iOS 26 operating system installed by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
Add Backgrounds to Your Messages
You can now add a custom vibe to your iMessage chats with friends and family. In iOS 26, set a custom conversation background in Messages by opening the chat and tapping on the name of the person you are interacting with. If they are on iPhone, you will see the word 'Backgrounds' as one of the options. Pick a color, gradient, photo, animated background, or generate one with Apple's Image Playground.
Create a Custom Ringtone for Free
Gone are the days of paying for ringtones or needing an app like GarageBand to create one. With iOS 26, the process is now as simple as a few taps directly from your files. Whether it is a snippet from your favorite new song or a custom recording, open the Files app and locate any MP3 or M4A file under 30 seconds long. Alternatively, open a recording from your Voice Memos app. Now, tap the Share button and select 'Use as Ringtone.' That is it. Then go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone to make it your default or assign it to a specific contact.
Turn Any Book into an Audiobook
Instead of reading a book, why not have a book read to you? And no, you do not need to pay for audiobooks. This is ideal for when closing your eyes in bed or on an airplane, walking around on a spring day, or for anyone with vision impairment. It is an accessibility feature called 'Speak Screen.' To get started, go to Settings > Accessibility > Read & Speak > Speak Screen and ensure it is toggled on. After enabling it, simply swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers on any page, and the onscreen text will be read to you. You can skip forward and back between blocks of text, slow down or speed up the reading, and more.
Edit or Unsend Messages
We have all had that 'uh oh' moment. If you sent a message but realized it needs to be edited or deleted, there is hope. Press and hold over that sent message, and you will see options like 'Edit' and 'Undo Send' in the menu. Tap whichever you want to use. But there is a catch: the person you are sending it to must also be on iPhone, or else they will still see the message, and you only have 15 minutes to edit and only 2 minutes to unsend the message.
Create Shortcuts for Faster Typing
If there are time-consuming phrases, addresses, or other info you type often, this shortcut is a godsend. For example, you can set up a feature called 'Text Replacement' so that typing '@@' pastes your email address, or 'addr' drops in your full mailing address. To set it up, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Remember to press Enter after you type your shortcut for it to be pasted in.
Use the Hidden Trackpad
When composing a message, email, or note, simply press and hold on the spacebar, and the cursor will automatically become a mouse-like trackpad. Now keep your finger on the screen and drag around the cursor to reach the part of text you want to tweak. To highlight text, press a little harder while continuing to slide your finger. Then let go for the keyboard to return.
Change the Alarm Snooze Time
Ever feel like that nine-minute snooze on your iPhone is too specific? It is actually a throwback to mechanical clocks. With the latest iOS 26 update, you can finally set a timer that fits your morning routine. Open the Clock app, tap on the Alarm you want to modify, select 'Snooze Duration' at the bottom, and choose your preferred interval from 1 to 15 minutes.
Search Photos by Keyword
It is easy to name a person or pet in a photo or video on your iPhone. Go to the Photos app, open a photo or video, and swipe up to see details. People or pets with a question mark next to their picture can be tapped to edit their name. Even better, tap the search icon and type keywords like 'beach,' 'Italy,' or 'blue dress,' and the AI will pull up relevant photos.
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