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iPhone Tips: 7 Built-In Features Worth Making Part of Your Routine

Discover seven built-in iPhone features for everyday use, with practical setup guidance and notes on availability across devices and iOS versions.

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Seven built-in iPhone features can make everyday tasks easier: the Tips app helps you discover them, widgets put useful information within reach, Shortcuts can combine repeated actions, Focus filters notifications, StandBy turns a charging iPhone into a glanceable display, Reminders organizes lists and location prompts, and Home Screen and Control Center customization puts common controls closer. Availability and exact steps can vary by iPhone model, iOS version, region, language, and carrier, so check the labels on your device.

1. Use the Tips app to find features you might have missed

Apple’s built-in Tips app offers collections of iPhone guidance, adds tips regularly, and can notify you when new ones appear. If something looks useful but you cannot try it right away, save the tip for later. It is a straightforward way to explore capabilities without relying on a long list of features that may not match your iPhone or software version. Apple’s Tips app guide explains how to find and save tips.

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2. Choose widgets for information you check often

A widget can show at-a-glance information such as weather, reminders, or battery levels. Some widgets also support quick actions, such as checking off a reminder, without opening the app. Add widgets for needs that recur in your day rather than filling the screen with information you rarely use.

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For a changing set of useful cards, consider a Smart Stack. It can surface widgets based on context such as time, location, and activity. Apple’s widget instructions cover adding and managing them.

#1 Best Overall
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
  • Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
  • The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
  • Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

3. Automate a repeated task with Shortcuts

Shortcuts lets you combine actions that interact with apps and content into a sequence you can run quickly. Start with a task you repeat and already understand; the point is to reduce the number of manual steps, not to build a complicated automation for its own sake.

  1. Open the Shortcuts app and browse the Gallery for a curated shortcut close to the task you want to simplify.
  2. Add a shortcut, then review and customize its actions to fit your apps and preferences.
  3. Run it and confirm that the result is what you expect before relying on it as part of a routine.

Apple describes shortcuts as ways to complete one or more tasks and explains how to find and customize examples in its Shortcuts guide.

Rank #2
Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
  • 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
  • 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
  • Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.

4. Set up Focus for a specific context

Focus can temporarily silence notifications or allow notifications from selected people and apps. It can also let others know you are busy. A useful Focus is specific: decide which interruptions you want to block and which people or apps should still get through.

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To configure one, open Settings > Focus, choose a Focus or create one, then set its allowed people and apps. Check the exceptions carefully so important contacts remain reachable. Apple’s Focus setup guide describes the available options.

Rank #3
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
  • Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
  • Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
  • Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
  • Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID

5. Turn on StandBy when your iPhone is charging

StandBy displays useful information while iPhone is charging. To use it, connect the iPhone to a charger and place it on its side in landscape orientation. A stand may make that position easier to maintain, but Apple’s setup directions do not require one.

Apple describes StandBy as a way to show information such as the time and temperature while the phone is charging. See Apple’s daily-routines guide for its instructions and details.

Rank #4
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | Unlocked
  • This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
  • There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
  • This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
  • Product may come in generic Box.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

6. Keep lists and location prompts in Reminders

Reminders can hold separate lists for projects or groceries. Grocery lists can categorize items, which can make a shopping list easier to scan. You can also set a reminder to trigger when you arrive at a location.

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For a location reminder, create or open a reminder, add a location, and choose the arrival condition. Location prompts depend on the device’s settings and location access, so do not treat them as guaranteed in every circumstance. Apple’s Reminders guide covers lists, grocery organization, and location-based reminders.

Best Value
Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
  • 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
  • Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
  • Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.

7. Put frequently used items within quick reach

Customize the Home Screen with the app icons and widgets you reach for most, and add useful controls to Control Center. This can reduce hunting through pages or menus for actions you use regularly. Apple’s Home Screen customization guide explains how to arrange apps and widgets; its Control Center guide explains how to add and arrange controls.

The gesture for opening Control Center depends on the iPhone: models with Face ID and models with a Home button use different gestures. Follow the instructions for your model rather than assuming the same swipe works on every device.

Check what your iPhone supports

Apple cautions that new features and apps may vary by iPhone model, region, language, and carrier. The instructions and interface can also differ across iOS versions. If a setting or option described here is missing, check your installed iOS version and Apple’s guide for the device you have before concluding that the feature is unavailable. Apple’s iPhone guide provides version-specific information.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.; Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
$300.00
Bestseller No. 3
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU; Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
$405.00
Bestseller No. 4
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | Unlocked
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | Unlocked
There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.; Product may come in generic Box.
$262.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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