Did you know your iPhone is packed with powerful features that aren't always obvious? Apple continually adds new capabilities with each iOS update, but many remain hidden unless you know where to look. This Q&A covers some of the most useful and lesser-known tricks—from turning apps into widgets to setting custom vibration patterns. These tips assume you're running iOS 26 or later. Let's dive in and discover how to get more from your device.

How can I turn an app icon into a widget on my Home Screen?

You can convert most app icons into widgets directly from the Home Screen. Simply long-press on any app icon that supports widgets—whether Apple's own or third-party apps. A menu will appear; at the top, you'll see several small squares representing different widget sizes. Tap one to choose the size you prefer. Once you've selected a widget, it will replace the app icon. If you want to revert it back to a standard icon, long-press the widget again and tap the top-left icon that shows four small squares. This trick is perfect for customizing your Home Screen layout and getting quick information at a glance without opening apps.

How can I see where I've been using the Maps app?

The Maps app keeps a history of places you've visited, which can be a lifesaver when you want to recall a spot from a weekend trip. To access this, open Maps, tap your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner, then select Places. From there, choose Visited Places. Your history is organized by categories like Leisure or Shopping, and you can filter by city. If you want to clear your history, scroll to the bottom of the interface and choose an option to remove all visits. You can also set a time period for how long visits are kept. To turn off location tracking for visited places entirely, go to Settings > Maps > Location > Visited Places and toggle it off.

Can I set custom vibration patterns for specific contacts?

Absolutely! While most users know they can assign custom ringtones or text tones, you can also create unique vibration patterns for individual contacts—ideal if you keep your iPhone on silent. To set this up, open the Contacts app, select a person, and tap Edit in the upper-right corner. Next, tap either Text Tone or Ringtone, then tap Haptics and choose Create New Vibration. You'll see a screen where you can tap and press to build a pattern of vibrations. Once you're done, name your pattern and save it. Now, when that person texts or calls, your iPhone will vibrate with your custom pattern, letting you know who's reaching out without even looking at the screen.

How do I customize the Lock Screen buttons for more than just Flashlight and Camera?

Your iPhone's Lock Screen has two quick-access buttons at the bottom—typically Flashlight and Camera—but you can change them to any Control Center option, even from third-party apps. Start by long-pressing on the Lock Screen to enter edit mode. If you want to modify your current wallpaper and Lock Screen, tap Customize. To create a new one, tap the + button. Then, tap the – (minus) button on an app icon on the left or right side of the screen to remove it. Tap the + button that appears to choose a replacement from the list of Control Center controls. You can pick from options like Screen Recording, Timer, or even a shortcut you've created. This personalization makes your most-used actions just a swipe away.

What is Back Tap and how do I set it up?

Back Tap is a handy accessibility feature that lets you trigger actions by tapping the back of your iPhone. It's been around for a while but is often forgotten. You can assign a double tap or triple tap to perform tasks like taking a screenshot, toggling the flashlight, or running a custom Shortcut. To enable it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then scroll down to Back Tap. Tap it, then choose either Double Tap or Triple Tap and select an action from the list. Once configured, just tap the back of your iPhone twice or three times (depending on your setting), and the action will run. It's a fast, hands-free way to access features without navigating menus.

How can I take a screenshot of an entire webpage, not just the visible part?

When you capture a screenshot of a website in Safari (or other browsers), you have the option to save the full page rather than just what's on your screen. Press the side button and volume up button simultaneously to take a screenshot. A thumbnail appears in the bottom-left corner; tap it to open the editing interface. At the top of the screen, you'll see tabs for Screen and Full Page. Tap Full Page to see a preview of the entire webpage. You can then scroll through the preview to confirm you have everything, and tap Done to save it as a PDF. This is perfect for saving articles, receipts, or any long document you want to keep in its entirety.