13 Hidden Features in iOS 26 That Not Many Know About

With each new release of the iPhone operating system, users anticipate the major features that Apple reveals, and with the arrival of... iOS 26The additions aren't limited to performance improvements, interface enhancements, and the use of the Liquid Glass design. There are also a host of small, hidden features that could change the way you use your iPhone. In the following lines, we'll review 13 hidden features in iOS 26 that you may not know about.

Copy only part of a text message

In iOS 26, you can copy just a portion of a text message instead of the entire message. This is useful if someone sends you a web link, address, or something else, and you only need to copy part of what was sent to you. To use selective copying, press and hold the text message, then tap "Select." From there, you can drag to choose exactly what you want to copy.

Save recipes and instructions in Reminders

With Siri Suggestions in the Reminders app, you can save ingredients and cooking instructions to an easy-to-access list. To use this feature, search for a recipe, highlight the desired text, and tap "Share" to share it with the Reminders app. Siri Suggestions will then analyze the ingredients, add items to your shopping list, or write out a list of cooking instructions. While this feature doesn't work seamlessly with all recipes, it can be used with recipes you find on the web and in Apple News.

Choose a default app for files

You can change the app that automatically opens for different file types, such as PDFs, documents, photos, and more. To set a default app for opening a file, open the Files app and long-press the file. Tap "Get Info" and then select "Always open with" to choose a default app for files. If you want to open a file in another app just once, you can long-press it and select "Open with."

Easily set a custom ringtone

You can set any MP3 or M4A file saved in the Files app. as a ringtoneOpen the Files app, long-press the MP3 file, and select "Quick Preview." Next, tap the "Share Sheet" icon, then "More," and choose "Use as Ringtone." The selected ringtone will be added to your ringtone list in the "Sounds & Haptics" menu.

Note that you can use MP3 or M4A files, but they must be no longer than 30 seconds. If you need to remove a ringtone you've added, open "Sound & Haptics" in the Settings app, tap "Ringtones," then swipe your finger over the ringtone you want to remove and tap "Delete."

View your unsent messages

In the Filters section of the Messages app, Apple has added a new option called Drafts, where you'll find messages you've written but haven't sent. If you start writing something and then stop, you'll see your unsent messages in the Drafts folder. You can access the Filters section in the Messages app by tapping the three-line icon in the top-right corner of the app. You won't see the Drafts section if you don't have any unsent messages.

Capture better panoramic photos

There are subtle improvements to panoramic photos in iOS 26, so if you've struggled to capture a panoramic photo, the experience should be better now. You can move faster when capturing a panoramic photo without ending up with blurry images.

Search for specific videos

When you search for something specific in the Photos app, you'll now see video results with a relevant thumbnail highlighting the exact video frame you searched for. For example, if you search for "cat jumping," you'll see related thumbnails featuring the exact frame in which the cat jumps. Tapping on a result will take you to that part of the video. This feature makes it easier to find exactly the content you're looking for, seamlessly and quickly.

Get alerted when your iPhone camera is dirty

When the rear camera is dirty or smudged, your iPhone will send you an alert to let you know so you can clean it. This feature works on a series IPhone 15 and later versions.

Match screen icons to iPhone case

In iOS 26, Apple added a new feature to the Home screen customization options, allowing you to match the color of app icons to the actual color of your iPhone case. To take advantage of this feature, you'll need an Apple MagSafe case. To start changing the color of icons, long-press on the Home screen, select "Edit," then tap "Personalize." Choose "Shading," then tap the icon that resembles a phone case to choose your desired color. You can also match your icons to your phone's color by tapping the phone icon below the color slider.

View event details in the Photos app

You can view details about events like concerts in the Photos app. You'll be able to see artists' top songs and browse upcoming events. To use this feature, find a suitable photo from a concert or sporting event and tap "Info" (the button between Favorites and Edit). Indexing is required first, and it doesn't work for all photos.

Callback Reminders

If you miss a call, you can set a reminder to answer it later. To do this, open the Phone app, go to your recent calls, and swipe left on any missed call. Then tap the blue clock icon and choose "Remind me in an hour," "Remind me tonight," "Remind me tomorrow," or "Remind me later." The "Remind me later" option lets you choose a specific date and time.

Prevent sound transmission

System contains iOS 26 There's a setting that prevents audio from being transferred from your AirPods to connected devices like car speakers or Bluetooth headphones. To enable this feature, open the Settings app, go to the "General" section, tap "AirPlay & Continuity," and then enable "Save audio to headphones."

Scroll back

Finally, in iOS 26, Apple has improved the swipe-to-go back gesture available in most apps. You can now return to the previous screen by swiping right from anywhere on the screen, instead of swiping from the edge of the screen.

Source:

macrumors