Alex Ruben
Essential iPhone Settings You Must Change for Improved Performance
While many users are aware of features like optimized charging, AssistiveTouch, and locking photos with Face ID, there are several lesser-known settings on your iPhone that you should adjust immediately.
These modifications can significantly enhance your user experience and safeguard your personal information while using your device. So, grab your iPhone and start adjusting these settings!
1. Enhanced Voice Clarity
With iOS 16, Apple has unveiled a Voice Isolation mode designed to minimize background noise during calls. Contrary to popular belief that this feature is optimized for FaceTime and video calls, it also works remarkably well for standard phone calls.
To activate this feature, make a call using the Phone app, access the Control Center by swiping down, and select Mic Mode. Next, set it to Voice Isolation. This adjustment will undeniably enhance call quality in noisy settings.
2. Enhance Compatibility of Photos and Videos
By default, your iPhone saves images in a space-saving HEIC format. Although this helps conserve storage, it presents compatibility issues with many devices and can complicate the transfer of HEIC files to computers.
To remedy this, you’ll want to change the format for your images and videos to one that is more universally accepted. Luckily, Apple allows you to make this change effortlessly.
Head into the Settings app, navigate to the Camera settings and tap on Formats. Switch it to Most Compatible.
3. Boost the Quality of Close-Up Images
As smartphone cameras evolved with larger sensors, many brands began to default to the ultra-wide camera for close-up shots to avoid blurriness. Unfortunately, this often leads to inferior quality because the ultra-wide lens on the iPhone lacks the sharpness of the main camera.
If you’re not satisfied with close-up photos of your pets, children, or various objects, here’s how to prevent your iPhone from defaulting to auto-macro mode.
Step 1: Open the Settings app, navigate to the Camera options, and activate the Macro Control feature at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2: Scroll to find the Preserve Settings section and enable the Macro Control toggle.
Step 3: Launch the Camera app, bring an object close to the lens, and tap the Macro toggle in the bottom-left corner to deactivate it.
If you prefer using macro mode when needed, simply tap the yellow toggle to turn it on, and remember to switch it off after you’re done.
4. Prevent Apps from Tracking Your Information
Recent iOS updates have introduced more stringent controls over whether apps can monitor your activity on your device. This is fantastic news as it allows you to evade targeted advertisements by restricting app access to your data.
For instance, if you notice that Instagram displays ads related to your recent Amazon searches, here’s how to block that.
Open the Settings app, go to Privacy & Security, then select Tracking. Switch off the Allow Apps to Request to Track option and disable tracking for individual apps as well.
While you’re at it, navigate back and select Analytics & Improvements, then disable the Share iPhone Analytics option as well.
5. Conceal Your Apps and Home Screens
Prepare to be amazed! Apple now lets you conceal entire home screens on your iPhone, providing a smart way to hide apps you rarely use. This feature is particularly useful when you need to lend your phone to someone without exposing everything.
After you reclaim your phone, you can easily display the home screen(s) again. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Tap and hold on your iPhone’s home screen until the app icons start to shake. Then, tap the dots at the bottom that indicate your current home screen.
Step 2: Untick any home screens you want to hide and tap Done.
To retrieve the hidden home screens, repeat the process and check the boxes for those you want to unhide.
These settings can also be applied to iPads, so make sure to check them out on your tablet as well.
Image Credits: Guidingtech.com