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The 5 most indispensable iPhone shortcuts that every owner should know

Teach the employees at the Genius Bar something new with the tips you'll learn on this list. (Image Source: Apple/ Own)
Teach the employees at the Genius Bar something new with the tips you'll learn on this list. (Image Source: Apple/ Own)
Your iPhone is more capable than you think. Tap, swipe, and long press your way through these tips to get the most out of your favorite Apple smartphone. Remember to use these shortcuts to trim down your workflow and boost your productivity in ways you never imagined.
List Apple iOS iPhone How To Software
Article compiled by Brahm Shank
The choices and comments made on this list belong solely to the author.

1. Back tap

Using a double or triple tap gesture against the back of an iPhone, users can trigger a number of actions including launching specific apps, taking a screenshot, opening Control Center, activating options in the Shortcuts app and more. Enable and customize this feature by selecting Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.

Back Tap - "it just works". (Image source: Unsplash)
Back Tap - "it just works". (Image source: Unsplash)

2. Spacebar cursor

Quickly drag the cursor around a body of text by long-pressing the spacebar. This action transforms the entire keyboard area into a virtual trackpad for making fast and precise edits.

Pretty soon you'll be texting faster than you did in High School. (Image source: Unsplash)
Pretty soon you'll be texting faster than you did in High School. (Image source: Unsplash)

3. Measure height

Use the Measure app on the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max to instantly measure someone’s height using LiDAR sensor technology. Be sure to keep the person in the frame from head to toe in order to activate this feature.

Get your friend to stop lying about their height in a few easy taps. (Image source: Apple/Edited)
Get your friend to stop lying about their height in a few easy taps. (Image source: Apple/Edited)

4. Scan documents

Need to fill out a form on the fly or get rid of those papers on your desk? Scan documents and store them on your iPhone as PDFs using the Notes app. Simply long-press the Notes app icon and select “Scan Document” to get started. 

Delete that document scanner app from 2009 still taking up space in your "utilities" folder. (Image credit: Apple/Own/Edited)
Delete that document scanner app from 2009 still taking up space in your "utilities" folder. (Image credit: Apple/Own/Edited)

5. Pin your friends

Swipe right on a conversation in the Messages app to reveal a yellow menu with a thumbtack glyph. Tap on the glyph to permanently pin up to nine conversations at the top of your conversation list. Users can also long press on contact photos to drag and rearrange pinned conversations however they’d like. 

Mom may not be allowed to choose favorites but you can in Messages. (Image credit: Apple/Own/Edited)
Mom may not be allowed to choose favorites but you can in Messages. (Image credit: Apple/Own/Edited)
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2022 02 > The 5 most indispensable iPhone shortcuts that every owner should know
Brahm Shank, 2022-02-23 (Update: 2022-02-23)