Did you just get a new iPhone for the first time in years (maybe your first ever)? You may not have known these settings and features exist.
So you just got a new iPhone 15. Maybe it’s your first iPhone ever, maybe you just haven’t upgraded in a while. You went through the setup, updated iOS to the latest (currently iOS 17.2), added your apps, set up your accounts and two-factor authentication…now what?
You’re probably having a great time with your new iPhone already, but there are a handful of hidden and lesser-known features and settings that you’ll want to know about. Here’s a list of some of our favorite little settings and tips. You can do all this stuff in just a few minutes, and it might make your iPhone experience more enjoyable.Change focus after you take a photo
With the iPhone 15, the camera app will automatically recognize when there is a person or pet (dog or cat) in the frame. You’ll see a little ƒ icon in the bottom corner of the viewfinder. When this is there, your iPhone will automatically save depth information along with the photo. When you open that photo in the Photos app and tap Edit, you’ll see a “portrait” option in the lower left. Select this to adjust the amount of background/foreground blur. You can also tap on various objects in the photo to make that the focal point, blurring everything else.
In other words, instead of having to take photos in Portrait mode, you can apply and adjust Portrait later.
While this feature was heavily marketed by Apple, most don’t know that it works on regular objects too, it’s just not automatic. When taking a photo, tap on an object in the viewfinder. You’ll see that little ƒ symbol appear, and your photo will have all the depth info and portrait adjustment capabilities.Turn on battery percentage
iPhone users were frustrated for years that Apple removed the battery percentage number on iPhones with Face ID (which is most of them), but iOS 16 brought it back. It’s just not enabled by default.
We have a guide to enable battery percentage but basically, all you do is open Settings, tap Battery, and then flip the toggle for Battery Percentage. Then you’ll know exactly when you need to plug in your iPhone to fill it up.Consider a charging limit
While you’re in the Battery settings, you may want to consider setting a charging limit.
Tap Battery Health & Charging and you’ll see info about the health and performance of your battery, but also a Charging Optimization menu. Tap that and you’ll see three options: Optimized Battery Charging, 80% Limit, and None. (Older iPhones don’t have the 80% Limit option.)
Optimized Battery Charging is the default—your iPhone will learn how you use your phone over time and sometimes only charge to 80%. Rechargeable batteries age more quickly when kept fully charged, so this will help keep your battery at its full capacity longer.
You might want to consider trying the 80% Limit option for a week or two.
