77 Tips and Tricks for iOS 26: Hidden Settings, Features, Unlock Your iPhone’s Full Potential

If you are looking for tips and tricks for iOS 26 to make the most of your iPhone, you have come to the right place. These include hidden settings, features, and hacks that help you customize your device, improve performance, and discover new ways to use apps.

From setting custom ringtones without extra tools to adjusting battery modes for longer life, this guide covers practical steps based on the latest iOS 26 updates. Whether you just updated or want to explore more, these tips will unlock your iPhone’s full potential.

Getting Started with iOS 26

Before diving into the tips, make sure your iPhone runs iOS 26 smoothly. This update works on iPhone 11 and newer models. To check your version, go to Settings > General > About. If you need to update, head to Settings > General > Software Update. Back up your data first through iCloud or a computer to avoid losing anything. Once set, you can start applying these hacks.

iOS 26 brings a fresh Liquid Glass design and new apps, but many features stay hidden until you enable them. For a full overview of what’s new, read our iOS 26 Review. If you are coming from an older version, compare it with our guide on iOS 26 vs iOS 18.5 to see the upgrades.

25 Customization Tips

iOS 26 offers more ways to personalize your iPhone. Here are tips to change looks and sounds.

  1. Set a custom ringtone from any MP3 file under 30 seconds. Open Files app, find the MP3, press and hold, tap Share > More > Use as Ringtone. It adds it to your ringtone list in Settings > Sounds & Haptics.

  2. Match app icons to your phone or case color. Long press home screen > Edit > Customize > Tinted > tap the phone or case icon to auto-match.

  3. Make icons transparent with Clear mode. Long press home screen > Edit > Customize > Clear. This lets wallpaper show through for a clean look.

  4. Add 3D effect to lock screen wallpaper. Long press lock screen > Customize > tap spatial icon on a photo with a clear subject. Tilt your phone to see it move.

  5. Resize lock screen clock. Long press lock screen > Customize > tap clock > drag bottom right corner to make it bigger or smaller.

  6. Move lock screen widgets to top or bottom. Long press lock screen > Customize > drag widgets up or down.

  7. Customize iMessage backgrounds. In Messages, tap chat name > Background > choose color, photo, or generate one. Enable in Settings > Apps > Messages > Conversation Backgrounds.

  8. Set custom chat polls in group messages. In Messages, tap + > Polls > add choices > Send.

  9. Add emojis to folders in Files app. In Files, open folder > tap three dots > Customize Folder > add emoji.

  10. Change folder colors in Files. In Files, open folder > three dots > Customize Folder > Tags > pick color.

  11. Customize Safari tab bar position. Settings > Safari > Tabs > choose Compact (bottom), Bottom, or Top.

  12. Duplicate Safari tabs quickly. In Safari tab view, haptic press tab > Duplicate.

  13. Arrange Safari tabs by title or website. In Safari tab view, tap three dots > Arrange Tabs By > Title or Website.

  14. Customize camera controls on newer iPhones. Settings > Camera > Camera Control > Customize > add or remove options like zoom or exposure.

  15. Hide flash, live photo, and action mode in Camera. Settings > Camera > Indicators > toggle them off.

  16. Customize podcast playback per show. In Podcasts, open show > three dots > Settings > Speed and Audio Adjustment > set custom speed and enhanced dialogue.

  17. Adjust podcast speed by swiping. In Podcasts playback, swipe up or down on speed button.

  18. Pin favorite songs or playlists in Music. In Music, tap three dots on item > Pin.

  19. Change tap action on pinned Music items. Haptic press pinned item > Tap Action > choose Play, Shuffle, or Go to Playlist.

  20. Use Automix for smooth song transitions in Music. Settings > Music > Song Transitions > Automix.

  21. Customize music haptics intensity. Settings > Accessibility > Hearing > Music Haptics > adjust to Light, Medium, or Strong.

  22. Set full mix or vocals only for music haptics. In Music Haptics settings > Customize > choose Full Mix or Vocals Only.

  23. Translate song lyrics in Music. In Music playback, tap lyrics > show translation or pronunciation.

  24. Choose larger text for lyrics or pronunciation in Music. Settings > Music > Lyrics > Larger Text > select Lyrics or Pronunciation.

  25. Customize vehicle motion cues appearance. Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Vehicle Motion Cues > Customize > adjust dots size, number, color, pattern.

You can see our full details for 25 customization tips for iOS 26.

33 Productivity and Settings Hacks

These tips help you work faster and manage your device better.

  1. Swipe back from anywhere on screen. In any app, swipe from middle or anywhere (not just edge) to go back.

  2. Schedule call back reminders from missed calls. In Phone > Recents, swipe on missed call > Schedule Call Back > choose time.

  3. View full call history for a contact. In Phone > Recents > search contact > tap to see history back to 2023.

  4. Change alarm snooze duration. In Clock > Alarm > edit alarm > Snooze > set 1-15 minutes.

  5. Set action button to create reminders. Settings > Action Button > Controls > search Reminder > select.

  6. Add reminders from Control Center. Swipe down Control Center > tap Reminders control > add to list.

  7. View all blocked contacts in one place. Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts.

  8. Customize input microphone. Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Input > select connected mic.

  9. Set default calling app. Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Calling > choose FaceTime, WhatsApp, etc.

  10. Combine gaming activity in Games app. Settings > Apps > Games > Combine Gaming Activity > toggle on.

  11. Use accessibility reader for text. Settings > Accessibility > Read and Speak > Accessibility Reader > enable, then triple-tap in Notes or apps.

  12. Customize document storage in Preview app. Settings > Apps > Preview > Document Storage > choose iCloud or iPhone.

  13. Set specific SIM for focus modes. Settings > Focus > choose mode > Filters > Phone > select SIM.

  14. Enable widgets in CarPlay. Settings > General > CarPlay > your car > Widgets > toggle Show Widgets > add or rearrange.

  15. Disable CarPlay screenshots. Settings > General > Screen Capture > CarPlay Screenshots > toggle off.

  16. Keep audio with headphones when connecting to CarPlay or speakers. Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity > Keep Audio with Headphones > toggle on.

  17. Use AirPods as wireless mic for camera. Connect AirPods > open Camera > Control Center > Camera Controls > Input > select AirPods > choose Voice Isolation.

  18. Enable lens cleaning hints. Settings > Camera > Lens Cleaning Hints > toggle on.

  19. Save photos taken in Messages to library. Settings > Camera > Messages > Save Captures to Photo Library > toggle on.

  20. Change transaction categories in Wallet for Apple Card. In Wallet > Apple Card > transaction > tap category > change.

  21. Store physical card details in Wallet. In Wallet > card > tap icon > Add Card Information > scan or manual.

  22. Track orders from emails in Wallet. Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Order Tracking > Mail Beta > toggle on.

  23. View password history in Passwords app. In Passwords > saved password > View History.

  24. Share device IMEI as barcode. Settings > General > About > haptic press IMEI > Barcode or Share Device Identifiers.

  25. Magnify parts of screenshots. Take screenshot > Markup > + > Magnifier > drag over area.

  26. Use voice isolation in audio recordings. During recording, Control Center > Mic Mode > Voice Isolation.

  27. Apply studio voice to recordings. After recording, tap three dots > Studio Voice > adjust intensity.

  28. Search messages with natural language. In Messages > search bar > type description; it finds similar content.

  29. Mix emojis to create new ones. In emoji picker > Genmoji icon > combine two emojis > add person if wanted > save.

  30. Automatically open files in Quick Look. In Files > haptic press file > Open With > Quick Look.

  31. See blocked status in Messages. Blocked contacts show red "Blocked" label; no text field until unblocked.

  32. View concert details in Photos. Swipe up on concert photo > tap event > see date, venue, map, songs.

  33. Use relevant thumbnails in Photos search. Search shows main scene as thumbnail for better results.

Also read my article to learn more about the 33 best productivity and settings for iOS 26 by clicking here.

19 Battery and Performance Tips

Keep your iPhone running longer with these settings.

  1. Enable adaptive power mode. Settings > Battery > Power Mode > Adaptive > toggle on; notifications optional.

  2. See estimated charging time on lock screen. While charging, lock screen shows time to 80% or full.

  3. Reduce transparency for better visibility and battery. Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency > toggle on.

  4. Blur wallpaper on always-on display. Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display > Blur Wallpaper Photo > toggle on.

  5. Disable full screen screenshot preview. Settings > General > Screen Capture > Full Screen Preview > toggle off.

  6. Set screenshot format to HDR or SDR. Settings > General > Screen Capture > Format > choose HDR for better quality.

  7. Turn off autoplay when connecting to CarPlay. Use Shortcuts app > Automation > CarPlay Connected > add Pause action.

  8. Enable phone screening for unknown calls. Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers > Ask Reason for Calling.

  9. Turn on hold assist for calls. Settings > Apps > Phone > Hold Assist > toggle on.

  10. Enable filter unknown callers and spam. Settings > Apps > Phone > Filter Unknown Callers > toggle on.

  11. Disable character preview on keyboard. Settings > General > Keyboard > Character Preview > toggle off.

  12. Enable keyboard haptics or sounds. Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboard Feedback > toggle Haptic or Sound.

  13. Enable adaptive power notifications. Settings > Battery > Power Mode > Adaptive Power Notifications > toggle on.

  14. Prioritize faster shooting in Camera off for quality. Settings > Camera > Prioritize Faster Shooting > toggle off.

  15. Turn off keyboard sound clicks. Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback > toggle Sound off.

  16. Turn off lock sound. Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Lock Sound > toggle off.

  17. Turn off change with buttons for volume. Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringer and Alerts > Change with Buttons > toggle off.

  18. Turn off always-on show wallpaper. Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display > Show Wallpaper > toggle off.

  19. Sign out of Game Center to save battery. Settings > search Game Center > sign out.

You can read my article about 19 battery and performance tips for iOS 26 by clicking here for more.

FAQ

What are some hidden settings in iOS 26 for better battery life?

iOS 26 has several hidden settings to improve battery, like enabling Adaptive Power Mode in Settings > Battery > Power Mode. You can also reduce transparency in Accessibility > Display & Text Size to cut visual effects. Another is blurring the wallpaper on always-on display in Display & Brightness > Always On Display.

How do I customize app icons in iOS 26?

To customize icons, long press the home screen, tap Edit > Customize. Choose Tinted to match your phone or case color, or Clear for transparent icons. This hack lets your wallpaper show through for a unique look.

What new features does iOS 26 add to the Camera app?

iOS 26 simplifies the Camera app with side menus for modes. Enable lens cleaning hints in Settings > Camera to get alerts for dirty lenses. You can also hide indicators like flash in Settings > Camera > Indicators.

How can I use AirPods with iOS 26 features?

With AirPods, press the stem to record video in the Camera app. Go to Settings > your AirPods > Camera Controls to set it up. For clear audio, select Voice Isolation in Control Center > Camera Controls > Input.

Is iOS 26 compatible with my iPhone model?

iOS 26 works on iPhone 11 and newer. Older models like iPhone XR do not support it. Check compatibility in Settings > General > About. For details on new devices, see our comparison of iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Final Thoughts

These 77 tips and tricks for iOS 26 cover everything from customization to performance boosts. Apply them step by step to get the most from your device. If you want more on older versions, read our iOS 18.5 Review. Keep exploring your iPhone to find even more ways to use it.

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