10 iPhone Settings Every User Should Know About

I have been using iPhones since the very first model, and I still discover features I did not know existed. Apple packs an incredible amount of functionality into these devices, but they do not always make it obvious. Today, I want to share ten settings that I genuinely use every day—not obscure tricks, but practical features that solve real problems.

All of these work on iPhones running iOS 17 or later. If you are not sure which version you have, go to Settings → General → About, and look for "iOS Version."

1. Make Text Larger and Easier to Read

If you find yourself squinting at your phone, you are not alone. The default text size works fine for some people, but there is no reason to strain your eyes when a simple adjustment fixes it.

Here is how to change it:

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Display & Brightness
3. Tap Text Size
4. Drag the slider to make text larger or smaller

Extra tip:If you need even larger text, go to Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Larger Text. Turn on "Larger Accessibility Sizes" for options that go well beyond the standard range.

2. Turn on Battery Percentage

For years, iPhone users could only see a battery icon without knowing exactly how much charge was left. That changed, and now you can see the actual percentage right in the corner of your screen.

To enable it:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Battery
3. Turn on Battery Percentage

Now you will always know exactly how much battery you have left—no more guessing whether that half-full icon means 45% or 55%.

3. Silence Unknown Callers

Tired of spam calls interrupting your day? This setting automatically sends calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail. Legitimate callers can leave a message, while robocallers just disappear.

To turn it on:

1. Open Settings
2. Scroll down and tap Phone
3. Tap Silence Unknown Callers
4. Turn the switch on (it will turn green)

Important note:This will silence calls from anyone not in your contacts, including doctor's offices, pharmacies, or anyone calling from a new number. They can still leave voicemails, and their calls will appear in your recent calls list.

4. Make the Flashlight Dimmer (or Brighter)

The iPhone flashlight is incredibly useful, but the default brightness might be too harsh for reading in bed or checking something in a dark room. Here is how to adjust it.

To change flashlight brightness:

1. Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen
2. Find the flashlight icon (it looks like a small flashlight)
3. Press and hold on the flashlight icon (do not just tap it)
4. A slider will appear—drag it up or down to adjust brightness

Your phone will remember the brightness level you set, so you do not have to adjust it every time.

5. Set Up Medical ID for Emergencies

Medical ID lets first responders access critical health information—like allergies, medications, and emergency contacts—even when your phone is locked. This could genuinely save your life in an emergency.

To set it up:

1. Open the Health app (the white icon with a red heart)
2. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner
3. Tap Medical ID
4. Tap Edit in the top-right corner
5. Fill in your medical conditions, medications, allergies, and emergency contacts
6. Make sure Show When Locked is turned on
7. Tap Done

First responders can access this by pressing and holding the side button and either volume button, then sliding the "Medical ID" slider.

6. Use Back Tap for Quick Actions

This is one of my favorite hidden features. You can set your iPhone to perform actions when you tap the back of the phone two or three times. I use double-tap to take screenshots and triple-tap to turn on the flashlight.

To set it up:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Accessibility
3. Tap Touch
4. Scroll down and tap Back Tap
5. Tap Double Tap and choose an action
6. Tap Triple Tap and choose another action

Popular options include taking a screenshot, turning on the flashlight, opening the camera, or activating Siri. Try a few and see what works best for your daily routine.

7. Extend Battery Life with Low Power Mode

When your battery is running low and you cannot charge soon, Low Power Mode reduces background activity to squeeze more life out of your remaining charge. Some people even leave it on all the time to maximize battery life.

To turn it on:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Battery
3. Turn on Low Power Mode

Faster method:Ask Siri to "Turn on Low Power Mode," or add it to your Control Center (Settings → Control Center → tap the green plus next to Low Power Mode).

8. Make Your Screen Easier on the Eyes at Night

Looking at bright screens before bed can make it harder to fall asleep. Night Shift adjusts your screen's colors to the warmer end of the spectrum, which is easier on your eyes in low light.

To schedule Night Shift:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Display & Brightness
3. Tap Night Shift
4. Turn on Scheduled
5. Set the times you want it to turn on and off (or choose "Sunset to Sunrise")

You can also adjust how warm the colors get with the slider at the bottom of that screen.

9. Find Your Parked Car

If you have ever wandered a parking lot trying to remember where you left your car, this feature is for you. When your iPhone disconnects from your car's Bluetooth, it automatically marks the location on a map.

To make sure it is enabled:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Maps
3. Scroll down and turn on Show Parked Location

To find your car, open Maps and look for the "Parked Car" marker. You can also ask Siri, "Where did I park my car?"

Note: This only works if your car has Bluetooth and you have paired your iPhone with it. It does not work if you simply leave your phone in your car.

10. Set Up Emergency SOS

In a true emergency, you can call for help even without unlocking your phone. Emergency SOS lets you quickly call emergency services and automatically shares your location with them.

How it works:

• Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears
• Drag the slider, or keep holding and the call will start automatically
• Your emergency contacts (set up in Medical ID) will automatically receive a text message with your location

To customize Emergency SOS settings:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Emergency SOS
3. Review the options and adjust as needed

Bonus: Check Your Privacy Settings

While you are exploring your settings, take a moment to review which apps have access to your location, photos, and other personal information.

Go to: Settings → Privacy & Security

Here you can see every app that has requested access to sensitive information and revoke permissions for apps that do not need them. For example, a flashlight app has no reason to access your location or contacts.

Take Your Time

You do not need to set all of these up in one sitting. Bookmark this page and come back to it whenever you want to try something new. Each of these settings exists because Apple recognized that different people have different needs—there is no single "right" way to use your iPhone.

If you get stuck or have questions about any of these settings, feel free to reach out through our contact page. I read every message and do my best to help.