Apple packs iOS with features that often go unnoticed. With iOS 26, there are several handy capabilities buried in settings that most users never discover—from turning app icons into widgets directly on your Home Screen to setting custom vibration patterns for specific contacts so you know who's texting without looking at your phone.

The Maps app keeps a running history of places you've visited, organized by city and category—useful for remembering that great restaurant from last weekend's trip. You can also customize Lock Screen buttons beyond just Flashlight and Camera, assigning any Control Center option including third-party apps. Back Tap, found in Settings > Accessibility, lets you assign actions like screenshots or flashlight activation to double or triple taps on the back of your device.

Other underused features include the ability to screenshot entire webpages (not just what's visible on screen), hiding entire app pages from your Home Screen while keeping them searchable via Spotlight, and removing location metadata from photos before sharing. Nighttime listeners can set a timer in the Clock app to automatically stop music or podcasts—perfect for falling asleep without draining your battery.