iOS 14 Tips & Tricks: Get the Most Out of Your iPhone

iOS 14 has arrived with a host of exciting features announced at WWDC2020. While these features have their primary uses, there are also ways to tweak and twist them to make better use of your iPhone. In this article, we will explore some top tips and tricks to help you make the most of iOS 14.

Change the Default Browser

If you prefer using a third-party browser like Chrome over Safari, you'll be delighted to know that iOS 14 allows you to change the default browser. Simply navigate to Settings > Chrome > Default Browsers > Select Chrome. Now you can enjoy browsing the web with your preferred browser.

A New Way to Launch Apps from Spotlight Search

With iOS 14, launching apps from Spotlight Search has become even easier. Instead of tapping the app icon, simply tap the Go button on your iPhone keyboard to launch the app. It's a small but handy feature that saves you time and effort.

Watch YouTube in Picture-in-Picture Mode

Although YouTube's Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode is a premium feature, there is a workaround to enable it on iOS 14. By installing the Scriptable app and using a specific shortcut, you can enjoy watching YouTube videos in a floating window. Simply tap the Share button on any video in the YouTube app and run the YouTube PIP shortcut. This will start the playback in a floating window.

Back Tap to Launch Google Assistant

The Back Tap feature in iOS 14 allows you to trigger actions by tapping on the back of your iPhone. One of the best uses of this feature is being able to launch Google Assistant with double or triple taps. To set this up, install the Google Assistant app on your phone, create a Siri Shortcut with the Hey Google action, and map it to the back tap in Accessibility Settings. Now you can easily access Google Assistant with a simple tap on the back of your iPhone.

Add Captions to Your Photos

The Photos app in iOS 14 allows you to add captions to your photos, making it easier to search and rediscover them. To add a caption, open the Photos app, select the desired image, swipe up to reveal the Caption bar, and enter the caption. Unfortunately, you can only add captions to one photo at a time.

Reduce Noise in Voice Notes

If you frequently take voice notes in noisy environments, iOS 14 offers a feature that can help reduce background noise. Simply tap the options button (…) next to a recording in the Voice Notes app, tap Edit Recording, and tap the Magic Wand to clear up the recording.

Add a Face Mask to Memoji

With iOS 14, you can customize your Memoji with various headwear options, including face masks. To add a mask to your Memoji, go to your Contacts app, search for a contact, tap Edit, tap the profile picture, tap the + sign, swipe left to see Memojis, scroll to the bottom, and select the mask. Now your contact will have a mask every time you receive a call.

Stack Widgets Manually

While the Smart Stack feature automatically shuffles widgets throughout the day, it doesn't allow you to add specific apps of your choice. However, there is a workaround. By dragging and dropping multiple apps of the same size on top of each other, you can create a stack of widgets with the apps you prefer.

Blank Home Page

If you prefer a minimalistic home screen, you can now remove all app icons from your home screen and keep only widgets. Long press on a blank space on any home screen to enter jiggle mode, tap on the bottom page scroll bar, untick the pages you want to remove, and delete icons and widgets using the (-) sign. Now you have a blank home page, and you can find all your apps in the App Library or use the search menu to open an app.

Change Widgets Info

iOS 14 allows you to modify widget info according to specific locations. This is useful if you want to keep track of different locations, such as the weather conditions in different cities. Simply tap on the Widgets, select Edit Settings, and tap on the location or info you want to see on the screen. Drag and drop the new widget on the home screen, and now you have two independent widgets with different info.

Put a Password on Notes

If you want to secure your Notes app and use it as a daily diary, iOS 14 allows you to lock your notes with a password. Go to Settings, scroll down to the Notes app, tap on Password, and set up a password. You can also add a hint and enable Touch ID for added security.

Mirror Selfie Camera

iOS 14 now allows you to enable the mirror front camera option, so your selfies are no longer flipped. Simply go to Settings, scroll down to the Camera, and enable the Mirror Front Camera option. You can disable it anytime for a natural look.

Enable Old Siri Captions

If you prefer the old Siri captions style, you can revert to it in iOS 14. Go to Settings, scroll down to Siri & Search, tap Siri Feedback, and enable Always Show Siri Captions and Always Show Speech. This will display live transcriptions on the screen, making it easier to understand and correct Siri's misinterpretations.

Enable Private MAC Address

Similar to Android, iOS 14 allows you to change your MAC address for added privacy and security. Go to Settings, select Wi-Fi, tap on Info, scroll to Use Private Address, and enable it. Your phone will automatically create a false MAC address, making your identity safer.

Use Sound Recognition to Identify Familiar Sounds

iOS 14 offers a sound recognition feature that can be helpful for people who are hard of hearing. It recognizes sounds like fire alarms, sirens, doorbells, and baby cries, and sends you a notification. While it's not foolproof, it can be an additional aid in certain situations.

These tips and tricks will help you make the most of iOS 14 and enhance your iPhone experience. Whether it's customizing your home screen, improving app functionality, or adding security to your notes, iOS 14 offers a range of features to explore. Give them a try and discover how they can make your iPhone even more powerful and convenient.