28 Tips and Tricks For iPhone 16e: Hidden Features You Need to Try!

The iPhone 16e is packed with cool features that make it powerful, fun, and easy to use. But did you know it has hidden tricks most people don’t know about? Whether you’re snapping photos, texting friends, or customizing your home screen, these 28 tips will help you get the most out of your iPhone 16e. Let’s dive in!

Unlock the Full Power of Your Camera

1. Shoot in 48 Megapixels

Your iPhone 16e has a 48MP camera, but it’s set to 12MP by default. To fix this:

1. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats.
2. Turn on Resolution Control.
3. Open the Camera app and tap the HEIF Max button (if it’s crossed out, tap to enable it).
   Now your photos will be sharper and clearer!

2. Remove Unwanted Objects

After taking a photo, open it and tap Edit. Use the Cleanup Tool (the magic wand icon) to tap or circle anything you want to delete—like photobombers or trash cans.

3. Zoom Like a Pro

Use the 2x zoom button instead of pinching the screen. This uses the camera’s optical zoom for better quality.

4. Fix Dark Photos

In low light, tap the 3s icon in Night Mode to adjust how long the camera takes the shot. Longer times = brighter photos!

Master the Action Button

5. Customize the Action Button

This button (above the volume keys) can do way more than mute your phone:

1. Go to Settings > Action Button.
2. Choose shortcuts like Flashlight, Shazam, or Dark Mode.
3. For apps like Spotify or YouTube, select Shortcuts > Open App.

6. Supercharge It With Visual Intelligence

Link the Action Button to Visual Intelligence (Settings > Action Button > Visual Intelligence). Point your camera at anything—a math problem, a plant, or a gadget—and it’ll explain what it is or solve it using ChatGPT!

Get Smart With Visual Intelligence

7. Identify Animals and Plants

Open Visual Intelligence (from Control Center or the Action Button) and point your camera at a dog, flower, or insect. It’ll show you its name and cool facts!

8. Solve Homework Problems

Stuck on math? Snap a photo of the problem, tap Ask, and type “Solve this.” Visual Intelligence will explain the answer step-by-step.

9. Find Products Instantly

See something you like? Point your camera at it, tap the Search icon, and it’ll show where to buy it online.

Try These New Apps

10. Design Invites With Apple Invites

1. Open the Apple Invites app.
2. Tap Create Event and add backgrounds, fonts, and details.
3. Send invites to friends (works on Android too!).

11. Turn Photos Into Cartoons

Use Image Playground (a pre-installed app) to turn selfies into cartoons. Add fun effects like fireworks or text (e.g., “holding a pizza”).

12. Check Weak Passwords

Open the Passwords app to see which logins are weak or hacked. Tap Securityfor alerts.

I also wrote an article all about iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 that I encourage you to read! 

Make Your iPhone Look Unique

13. Tint Your App Icons

1. Press and hold your Home Screen, then tap Edit.
2. Select Customize > Color Tinting.
3. Pick a color from your wallpaper for a matching theme!

14. Resize Control Center Widgets

Swipe down from the top-right to open Control Center. Press and hold a widget to make it small, medium, or large.

15. Add Quick App Shortcuts

In Control Center settings, add the Open App shortcut. Choose apps like TikTok or Messages for 1-tap access.

Save Space and Share Faster

16. Expand Storage With a USB-C Drive

Plug a USB-C drive into your iPhone, open the Files app, and save photos/videos to free up space.

17. Share Contacts Instantly

Turn on Settings > General > AirDrop > Bring Devices Together. Tap your iPhone against another to swap contact info (NameDrop).

18. AirDrop Without Menus

Open a photo, tap Share, and hold your iPhone near another to send it instantly—no tapping required!

Level Up Your Texting Game

19. Create Custom Emojis

In Messages, tap the + icon and select Gen Emoji. Type a description (e.g., “dancing cat”) and pick from AI-generated options.

20. Turn Photos Into Stickers

Press and hold a photo, tap Add Sticker, and add effects like glitter or outlines. Find stickers under the emoji menu.

21. Animate Your Texts

Type a message, double-tap a word, and tap the A icon. Add effects like Bounce or Sparkle to make words dance!

Keep Your iPhone Secure

22. Hide Apps With Face ID

Press and hold an app, tap Require Face ID, and hide it. Find hidden apps in the App Library > Hidden Folder.

23. Record Important Calls

During a call, tap the Wave icon and hit Continue. The recording saves to Notes > Call Recordings.

Boost Battery Life

24. Set a Charge Limit

Go to Settings > Battery > Charging > Charge Limit. Set it to 80% or 90%to protect battery health.

25. Use Dark Mode

OLED screens save power with black backgrounds. Enable it in Settings > Display & Brightness > Dark Mode.

Fun Extras You’ll Love

26. Screen Share on FaceTime

During a call, tap Share > Share My Screen to show friends your game, photos, or homework.

27. Fix Video Audio

Edit a video, tap the Audio Mix icon, and choose modes like In-Frame(focuses on sounds in the shot).

28. Teach Face ID Your “Look”

Go to Settings > Face ID > Set Up Alternate Appearance if you wear glasses or hats often.

iPhone 16e – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I enable 48MP photos on my iPhone 16e?

A: Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and turn on Resolution Control. Then, open the Camera app and tap the HEIF Max button to shoot in 48MP mode.

Q2: Can I customize the Action Button to open any app?

A: Yes! Go to Settings > Action Button, select Shortcuts, then choose "Open App" and pick your favorite app (like Spotify or Instagram).

Q3: How does Visual Intelligence work with the Action Button?

A: If you set the Action Button to Visual Intelligence, your camera connects to AI (ChatGPT) to:

• Identify animals, plants, and objects
• Solve math problems
• Find products online
• Troubleshoot tech issues

Q4: How can I hide apps on my iPhone 16e?

A: Tap & hold an app > Select "Require Face ID" > Choose Hide. To find hidden apps later, go to the App Library and look for the Hidden folder.

Q5: Can I expand my iPhone 16e’s storage with a USB-C drive?

A: Yes! Plug in a USB-C flash drive, open the Files app, and save photos/videos to the external drive. This frees up space on your iPhone.

You can read my article about iPhone 16e reviews by clicking here for more.

Conclusion

The iPhone 16e is like a treasure chest—full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered! Try these tips to take sharper photos, customize your phone, and stay organized.