5 iPhone Features Most People Didn’t Even Know Existed

Hold a Call with the Mute Button

We all use the mute button when we're on a call but don't want others to hear the background noise. But, did you know that the mute button also has the power to put a call on hold?

When you are on a call, just press and hold on the mute button. It will immediately change from mute to hold. According to some Redditors, placing a call on hold will trigger hold music for the person on the other end.

Swipe to Type

QuickPath was a highly publicized new feature when it was released in iOS 13. However, we rarely see people using the typing tool – I'd bet that most iPhone owners either have never heard about it (or forgot that it existed). Don't tap letters, swipe across them for ultra-fast typing.

1. Open up a keyboard in Messages, Notes, or another app.
2. Press down lightly on the keyboard area and swipe your finger across the letters of a word, in order.
3. Continue swiping until the word you want is spelled out, then release your finger.
4. That word will automatically be added to your message or email, along with a space. Keep swiping to "type" the next word.

Hide Photos You Don't Want Others to See

Not all of the photos on your iPhone are meant for public viewing. You can hide photos from prying eyes by opening the photos app and locating the photo you want to hide.

1. Press and hold on a photo's thumbnail until the share button appears.
2. Select Share and then choose "Hide" from the menu.

To find these hidden photos in the future, you have to go to the Albums portion of the Photos app and look for the album titled Hidden.

Type Queries to Siri

Want to ask Siri a question, but you're in a situation where you can't speak? Apple has you covered. Buried in the accessibility menu is an option that lets you type a question to Siri instead of speaking it.

1. Enable this feature by opening the Settings app.
2. Scrolling until you see Accessibility (older versions of iOS place accessibility inside the General section).
3. Scroll down and tap on Siri and then turn on the toggle for "Type to Siri" to enable this feature.

Use a One-Handed Keyboard to Improve Typing Efficiency

Prefer to type your messages with one hand? Hate when you have to reach across the screen to type a letter? Improve your typing efficiency by enabling the one-handed keyboard.

1. Open your email or messages app to activate the keyboard. Look for the emoji symbol (or globe on older versions of iOS) on the left.
2. Press and hold on this symbol until the keyboard options dialog box appears.
3. Select either the left-hand keyboard or the right-hand keyboard.
4. When you want to switch back to the original keyboard, repeat the above steps, but select the full keyboard in the middle.