I'm an iPhone Nerd: Here Are 12 Secret Features That Are Wildly Helpful
By Ben F. | 02/19/2026
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Last updated July 17, 2025
I've spent more hours than I'd like to admit testing every new iOS update.
You'd be shocked at how many powerful hidden features there are in every iPhone.
For example, did you know you can block webpage ads before they even load? (Details are below).
Here are 12 game-changing features that have changed how I use my phone day to day.
1. Use text replacement to stop retyping your info
Sick of re-entering your email & phone number all the time? Set up a Shortcut.
For example, when I type in "@@" into any field, it auto-fills my email.
Here's how to set it up: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement → + Add your full info under Phrase, add your shortcut under Shortcut (like @@ or addr), then tap Save. That’s it.
After that, typing the shortcut fills in the full text anywhere you type. And once you do it for your email, you’ll start using it for everything, even stuff like omw → “On my way.”
Once you set it up, you stop typing the same things over and over.
2. Use your iPhone to block ads
If you’re still browsing the internet without an ad blocker, you’re working way harder than you need to.
A good ad blocker quietly removes most of the junk you deal with every day - banner ads, pop-ups, autoplay videos, and those endless YouTube interruptions that somehow always hit at the worst moment.
Once it’s installed, it just runs in the background. Pages load faster, sites feel cleaner, and you’re not constantly being tracked by random ad pixels following you around the internet.
Most people I know use something like Total Adblock. It’s cheap, takes about a minute to set up, and you immediately forget it’s there - except everything suddenly works better.
If you spend any real amount of time online, this is one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner” fixes.
Get Total Adblock here
3. Set callback reminders so you don't forget
You know when you see a missed call and think, “I’ll get to it,” and then you don't?
Your phone has a built-in way to remind you about it later - you just set a callback reminder.
Here’s how: Phone → Recents → swipe left on the missed call → Remind Me
Choose when you want the reminder.
If you don't see the option, tap the little "i" icon next to the call and look there.
4. See if this app can save you up to $1,300/year
Believe it or not, the average American family still overspends by $461/year on car insurance.
(Sometimes it’s significantly more: I saved $1,300/year when I switched)
Here’s how to quickly see how much you’re being overcharged (takes maybe a couple of minutes):
Pull up StopOverpaying.org – it’s a free site that will compare prices for you
Answer the questions on the page
It’ll spit out a bunch of insurance options for you
That’s literally it. You’ll likely save yourself a bunch of money.
Here’s a link to StopOverpaying.org
5. Learn how to tap into your equity
If you own your home but are low on funds, you might want to look into a HELOC (home equity line of credit). Instead of borrowing from your bank, you can essentially borrow from yourself (by tapping into your home's equity).
They may have lower interest rates and more flexible terms that a typical loan would.
Here’s a free page you can use to see how much you could access: link.
6. Use back tap to run a shortcut without having to think
Back Tap is basically a hidden button on your phone. Pair it with Shortcuts, and it's super useful.
Here’s how: Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap
Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap → tap Shortcuts → pick the shortcut you want. That’s it.
Start with something simple like Low Power Mode, sending a preset text, or opening your usual apps. If Double Tap triggers by accident, switch it to Triple Tap so you only do it on purpose.
It’s one of those tiny setups that makes your phone feel faster.
7. Find a financial advisor
Most people don’t have one, and it’s typically a huge mistake.
Sure, you can manage things on your own if you want to, but most people don’t have the time to actually do things right. There are huge benefits to having somebody pay attention to your money all the time.
People with financial advisors tend to beat the market by ~3%/year (according to a 2019 Vanguard Study). That can make a huge difference over time.
But more important: a good advisor will handle ALL of the annoying retirement stuff & bizarro tax implications you would have never thought of
If you don’t know a financial advisor personally, use a comparison site (like Datalign) and find somebody near you that has good reviews.
Or if you want something easier, here's a quiz you can fill out that can find an advisor/planner based on your reqs.
8. A camera trick that makes your iPhone way more powerful
Lock focus and exposure so your camera stops changing its mind. If your camera keeps shifting brightness or focus while you are trying to take a photo, this is why.
Here’s how: Camera app → press and hold on your subject → wait for AE AF Lock
Take the photo. Tap the screen once to unlock it again.
Now it stops changing the lighting on you mid shot. This is especially helpful for food photos, pets, and anything near a window where the light keeps shifting.
Your shots look more consistent, especially in weird lighting.
9. See if this company will pay off your credit card debt for you
If you’ve got $10k+ in unsecured debt (think credit cards, medical bills, etc), you could use a debt relief program and potentially reduce it by around 23% (on average).
Here’s how to quickly see if you qualify for debt relief:
Head to National Debt Relief’s site here
Answer the questions on the page
They’ll give you an estimate on how much they could save you.
Simple as that. You’ll likely end up paying less than you owed and could be debt free in 24-48 months.
Here’s a link to National Debt Relief
10. See if you can pay less for home insurance
Switching home/renter’s insurance will often save you more than switching auto policies (I’ve heard of people saving $1k per year by switching).
Here’s the insurance comparison site I typically use.
11. Turn your browsing time into cash
If you already spend a lot of time on your iPhone, there are a couple of ways it can quietly make you some extra money.
Sounds nuts, obviously, but skill-based cash games have been around on iOS for years.
One example is Solitaire Cash, which lets you play quick, head-to-head solitaire matches against another real person. Whoever finishes their deck faster wins the cash. Each game only takes a couple of minutes, and if you’re actually good at it, the payouts can add up more than you’d expect.
Download the game here.
Another option is using your iPhone to test new games. Apps like Freecash pay users to download and play iOS games, hit certain milestones, and give basic feedback.
Some offers are small, others pay quite a bit more - it really depends on the game and how much time you put in. Sign-up here.
You’re not going to quit your job over this, but these are a couple of ways your iPhone can do more than just burn time.
12. Get a free quote for roof replacement online
Roof issues are one of those things most homeowners put off - usually because the timing never feels right and the cost is hard to predict. It’s easy to tell yourself it can wait another season.
The problem is that small roof issues don’t really stay small. Leaks, moisture, mold, and even pest damage tend to show up later, when repairs are more expensive and harder to deal with.
There’s now a simple way to get a better sense of your options without committing to anything.
This site connects homeowners with local roofing contractors so you can see what repairs or replacements might actually cost in your area.
You just enter your ZIP code and review available services near you - useful if you want to avoid surprises down the line.
Check local roof services here
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