10 mins read

14 Hidden Features in iOS 7.1

Unlock the full potential of your iOS 7;1 device by uncovering these 14 hidden gems. From the convenience of Control Center to the power of iCloud Keychain, these features will enhance your user experience and make your daily tasks more effortless.

Control Center

Swipe up from the bottom of any screen to access Control Center, a customizable hub for quickly toggling settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplane Mode. Customize it by adding or removing controls to suit your needs, making it the ultimate convenience tool for on-the-go adjustments.

Power User Tip⁚ Long-press on Control Center icons for additional options, such as turning on Personal Hotspot or adjusting screen brightness with a slider.

Multitasking Gestures

Navigate between apps seamlessly with intuitive multitasking gestures. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to reveal the multitasking carousel. Swipe left or right to switch between apps, or swipe up on an app card to close it. For a quick peek at the previous app, simply swipe right from the left edge of the screen.

Power User Tip⁚ Double-tap the Home button to quickly switch to the last-used app, saving you time and effort when multitasking.

AirDrop

Effortlessly share files, photos, and more with nearby iOS devices using AirDrop. Simply enable AirDrop in Control Center and select a recipient from the list of available devices. Your content will be transferred wirelessly and securely, without the need for an internet connection.

Power User Tip⁚ To quickly access AirDrop from the Share menu, tap the AirDrop icon located at the top of the share sheet. This will display a list of nearby devices you can share with.

iCloud Keychain

Keep your passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data safe and secure with iCloud Keychain. This encrypted keychain syncs your information across all your Apple devices, so you only need to remember one master password. iCloud Keychain also generates strong passwords for you and autofills them when you need them, making it easier than ever to protect your online accounts.

Power User Tip⁚ To quickly access your saved passwords, go to Settings > Safari > Passwords & AutoFill. You can also use the search bar to find specific passwords or usernames.

Safari

Discover the hidden gems of Safari in iOS 7.1 and elevate your browsing experience. Take advantage of the new Reading List feature to save articles for offline reading, and use the Private Browsing mode to keep your browsing history and data confidential. Safari also offers a variety of customization options, allowing you to tailor your browser to your preferences.

Power User Tip⁚ To quickly access your Reading List, tap the bookmarks icon in the toolbar and select “Reading List.” You can also use the “Add to Reading List” button when viewing an article to save it for later.

Notification Center

Transform your Notification Center in iOS 7.1 with these hidden features. Customize your notification settings to prioritize important alerts and filter out distractions. Take advantage of the “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications during specific times or locations, ensuring uninterrupted focus when needed.

Power User Tip⁚ To quickly access Notification Center settings, swipe down from the top of any screen and tap the “Edit” button. Here, you can rearrange notifications, disable specific apps, and set custom alerts for different notification types.

Camera

Unlock the hidden potential of your iOS 7.1 camera with these secret features. Capture stunning shots with the Burst Mode, which takes a rapid sequence of photos, ensuring you never miss the perfect moment. Experiment with the Square Mode to create Instagram-ready images or use the Panorama Mode to capture breathtaking landscapes.

Power User Tip⁚ To quickly access the Burst Mode, tap and hold the shutter button. For the Square Mode, tap the aspect ratio icon in the top-left corner. To enable the Panorama Mode, swipe to the “Pano” option in the camera modes.

Siri

Unleash the full power of Siri in iOS 7.1 with these hidden gems. Ask Siri to control your music, set reminders, or even search the web. You can also use Siri to perform complex tasks, such as creating a new event in your calendar or sending a message to a specific contact.

Power User Tip⁚ To activate Siri hands-free, simply say “Hey Siri” when your device is connected to power. You can also customize Siri’s voice and language settings to enhance your user experience.

Bonus Tip⁚ Siri can now search within specific apps, such as Messages or Mail. Simply say “Search [app name] for [search term]” to find what you’re looking for.

Messages

Elevate your messaging experience with these hidden features in iOS 7.1’s Messages app. Send photos, videos, and other attachments with ease, and customize your conversations with fun effects and animations.

Power User Tip⁚ Quickly access your favorite contacts by adding them to your VIP list. Their messages will be highlighted in blue, so you’ll never miss an important update.

Bonus Tip⁚ Use the “Do Not Disturb” feature to silence incoming messages and notifications from specific contacts or groups. This is perfect for when you need some peace and quiet.

Hidden Gem⁚ Create a group message with up to 50 participants and easily manage the conversation with the new group chat features. Assign a group name, photo, and even set custom notifications.

iTunes Radio

Unlock the full potential of iTunes Radio in iOS 7.1 and enjoy a personalized and immersive music experience. Discover new artists, create custom stations based on your preferences, and share your favorite tunes with friends.

Power User Tip⁚ Use the “Genius” feature to automatically generate a playlist based on the songs you love. It’s a great way to discover new music that matches your taste.

Bonus Tip⁚ Create multiple iTunes Radio stations and switch between them seamlessly. This allows you to easily access different genres, moods, or activities without having to manually search for music.

Hidden Gem⁚ Use the “History” tab to revisit songs you’ve recently played on iTunes Radio. This is a handy way to rediscover forgotten favorites or share them with others.

App Store

Unlock the hidden gems of the App Store in iOS 7.1 and discover a world of enhanced features and functionalities.

Power User Tip⁚ Utilize the “App Store Preview” feature to experience apps before downloading them. This allows you to test their functionality, interface, and overall user experience.

Bonus Tip⁚ Enable “Automatic App Updates” to keep your apps up-to-date with the latest features and security patches. This ensures optimal performance and a seamless user experience.

Hidden Gem⁚ Use the “App Store Gift Card” feature to send digital gift cards to friends and family. This is a convenient way to share the joy of discovering new apps and games.

Pro Tip⁚ Explore the “App Store Editors’ Choice” section to discover handpicked apps and games recommended by Apple’s editorial team. This is a great way to find high-quality and innovative apps.

Weather

Unleash the hidden potential of the Weather app in iOS 7.1 and stay informed about the elements like never before.

Power User Tip⁚ Swipe left or right on the main weather screen to view detailed hourly and daily forecasts. This provides a comprehensive overview of upcoming weather conditions.

Bonus Tip⁚ Add multiple locations to the Weather app to track the weather in different cities or countries. This is especially useful for travelers or those with family and friends living in different regions.

Hidden Gem⁚ Tap and hold on the weather icon in the notification center to quickly access the current weather conditions and forecast. This is a convenient way to check the weather without having to open the app.

Pro Tip⁚ Enable severe weather alerts to receive notifications about potential storms, hurricanes, or other hazardous weather conditions in your area. This feature helps you stay informed and prepared for any upcoming weather events.

Stocks

Unlock the full potential of the Stocks app in iOS 7.1 and stay on top of the financial markets like a pro.

Power User Tip⁚ Create custom watchlists to track the stocks that matter most to you. This allows you to quickly monitor the performance of your investments and make informed decisions.

Bonus Tip⁚ Set up price alerts to receive notifications when a stock reaches a specific price target. This feature helps you stay informed about market fluctuations and potential trading opportunities.

Hidden Gem⁚ Tap and hold on a stock symbol in the watchlist to view a detailed chart with historical data. This provides valuable insights into the stock’s performance over time.

Pro Tip⁚ Use the interactive charts to analyze stock trends and identify potential investment opportunities. The charts offer a range of technical indicators and drawing tools to help you make informed trading decisions.