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Most users have this off because it slows down to 80% then sits before completing to 100%. But it doubles battery lifespan. Worth the slower overnight charges.
Most people still use "Do Not Disturb" the old way. The new Sleep Focus is much better — automatically activates at bedtime, dims display, hides notifications. Configure once, never think about it again.
The default shows full message contents on the lock screen. Anyone glancing at your phone reads your texts. Change to "When Unlocked" — the message arrives, but Face ID is required to see content.
Apps will ask to track you across other apps for ad targeting. Turn this OFF globally and apps won't even ask. Improves privacy and reduces ad relevance scoring.
Most apps don't need to track location when you're not using them. Set Uber, food delivery, social apps to "While Using." Saves battery and privacy.
HEIC saves storage but is incompatible with Windows, older Macs, many web upload sites. Unless you're tight on storage AND only share with newer Apple devices, switch to JPEG. The compatibility tax of HEIC isn't worth the 30% storage savings for most people.
Shows the rule-of-thirds gridlines when taking photos. Instantly improves your composition. Free quality upgrade.
Affects every photo you take subtly. "Vibrant Cool" pops colors. "Rich Contrast" emphasizes shadows. "Standard" is Apple's neutral default. Test each — most people prefer something other than Standard.
Instead of getting notifications from non-urgent apps all day, batch them into 1-2 daily digests. Reduces the constant phone-buzzing without losing important alerts (urgent apps still come through immediately).
Don't wait for the 20% warning. Set Shortcuts → Automation → "Battery Level falls below 30%" → "Turn Low Power Mode on." Squeezes 1-2 more hours out of every charge by starting earlier.
Holding power button + volume up = calls 911. With "Call with Hold and Release" OFF, this works without countdown. Important to know how it works AND set up Medical ID + emergency contacts. Could save your life or a stranger's.
The mic is always listening for Siri unless you turn this off. Saves a small amount of battery and improves privacy. If you never use voice Siri, it's a no-brainer.
Apple Music supports lossless audio for free. Most users have it disabled by default. Bluetooth doesn't pass lossless (so AirPods can't fully use it), but wired headphones, USB DACs, and Apple Vision Pro do. Worth enabling if you have any of those.
iOS quietly logs every "significant" location you visit (home, work, regularly-visited spots) for "improved Maps suggestions." The data stays on-device, but most users don't know it exists. Turn OFF if privacy-conscious, or at least review what's been logged.
If you've enabled Find My in iPhone settings, AirTags multiply its usefulness. Track keys, wallet, bag.
Shop AirTag 4-Pack →If you set Low Power Mode at 30%, you'll want a power bank to top up between full charges. Magnetic MagSafe versions snap on without cables.
Shop MagSafe Power Banks →Combined with Find My settings, the MagSafe Wallet's tracking lets you locate it if separated from your iPhone. The "find my wallet" feature most people don't know exists.
Shop Apple MagSafe Wallet →If you have AirPods, run Settings → AirPods → Personalized Spatial Audio. Uses the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to measure your ears and customize spatial audio just for you. Most AirPods owners skip this setup. Genuinely improves immersion.
Shop AirPods Pro 2 →Added in iOS 17.3 and underused. Requires biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID — no passcode fallback) for sensitive operations when iPhone is away from familiar locations. Protects against the "thief watches you enter your passcode, then steals your phone" attack. Should be ON for everyone.
If you'd rather have a tech walk through these settings with you, mail in your iPhone for setup service. We'll configure everything correctly and ship it back.