iOS Tips Every iPhone User Should Know in 2025

As iPhones continue to evolve with each passing year, so does Apple’s powerful iOS ecosystem. With iOS 18 now rolling out in 2025, Apple has introduced a series of features and enhancements that make using your iPhone smarter, faster, and more intuitive than ever before. Whether you’re a new user or a seasoned iPhone veteran, this comprehensive guide shares iOS tips every iPhone user should know in 2025 to get the most out of your device.

1. Customize Your Lock Screen Like a Pro

With iOS 18, Apple has supercharged the lock screen with new customization tools. Here’s what you can now do:

Add Multiple Lock Screens: You can now create different lock screens for different Focus modes—like work, personal, or sleep.
Widgets on Lock Screen: Add weather, calendar, battery, or even app-specific widgets like Mail or Reminders.
Live Wallpapers & Depth Effect: Select wallpapers with a 3D depth effect or real-time animations that sync with notifications.

Tip: Long-press on your lock screen and tap “Customize” to get started.

2. Use Focus Modes for a Distraction-Free Experience

Introduced in iOS 15 and now vastly improved in iOS 18, Focus Modes are essential in managing digital wellness.

New Smart Filters: Automatically hide or show app content based on the mode (e.g., Work hides social apps).
Custom Home Screens: Set different home screen layouts for each Focus mode.
Context-Aware Activation: Your iPhone can now switch Focus modes based on time, location, or even connected devices like your car or Apple Watch.

Tip: Go to Settings > Focus and create customized routines.

3. Leverage Siri’s On-Device Intelligence

Siri has become smarter and faster in iOS 18 thanks to Apple’s enhanced on-device processing.

Offline Commands: Siri can now control settings, send texts, and play music without needing an internet connection.
Back-to-Back Commands: No need to say “Hey Siri” every time. Give multiple commands in a row like “Turn on Do Not Disturb, and then set an alarm for 7 AM.”
Personalized Responses: Siri can now use information from your apps (like Calendar and Messages) to give context-aware answers.

Tip: Try “Siri, what’s on my schedule after lunch?” for a smart response.

4. Explore the All-New Control Center

Control Center in iOS 18 has a fresh, modular look.

Drag-and-Drop Widgets: Add or remove toggles like Camera, Flashlight, or new Quick Notes.
App-Specific Controls: Apps like Music or Home now provide richer, more interactive tiles.
Page View: Swipe horizontally to access multiple pages of controls—one for smart home, one for health, etc.

Tip: Go to Settings > Control Center to tailor your layout.

5. Maximize Battery Health with Smart Charging

Battery health management has received a boost in iOS 18.

Optimized Charging 2.0: Your iPhone learns your schedule and charges to 80% until you need it fully charged.
Battery Usage Insights: Now includes detailed breakdowns by app category (like video streaming, browsing).
Adaptive Performance: iOS now balances performance and battery based on usage patterns and device age.

Tip: Check your battery stats in Settings > Battery.

6. Quickly Share Wi-Fi with Nearby Devices

Apple has improved AirDrop and connectivity sharing in iOS 18.

Proximity-Based Sharing: Hold two iPhones close to instantly share Wi-Fi passwords.
Tap-to-Connect Wi-Fi: If a friend is connected to a network, just tap their iPhone to join.
Universal Clipboard: Copy on one device, paste on another, including images and files.

Tip: Make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both devices for seamless transfers.

7. Use Live Text in Videos and Across Apps

Live Text is no longer limited to images.

Text from Videos: Pause any video and extract text on screen (e.g., phone numbers, addresses).
Real-Time Translation: Instantly translate text in images and videos.
Cross-App Support: Use Live Text directly in apps like Safari, Photos, or even third-party ones like WhatsApp.

Tip: Tap the “Live Text” icon when viewing media to activate this feature.

8. Master the Dynamic Island (iPhone 14 Pro and Later)

The Dynamic Island, first introduced with iPhone 14 Pro, is now more powerful than ever.

Multitask with Dynamic Island: View timers, music, calls, or even rideshare ETA simultaneously.
Live Activities: Track deliveries, sports scores, or workouts in real-time.
Third-Party Integration: Apps like Uber, Spotify, and DoorDash now fully support Dynamic Island widgets.

Tip: Tap and hold the Dynamic Island to expand the activity, or swipe to dismiss.

9. Stay Safe with Enhanced Privacy Features

Apple continues to lead in user privacy.

App Privacy Reports: Get weekly summaries of which apps access your camera, mic, and location.
Lock Hidden Album: Photos and notes marked as hidden or private now require Face ID or Touch ID.
Safari Private Mode: Face ID is now required to view or re-open private tabs.

Tip: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security to manage permissions for each app.

10. Organize Notes with Tags and Smart Folders

Apple Notes is now a productivity powerhouse.

Hashtag System: Add hashtags like #Work or #Ideas for easy sorting.
Smart Folders: Automatically sort notes based on tags, date created, or content type.
Collaborative Notes: Share and edit notes with real-time syncing and highlights of changes.

Tip: Use “#” in the note body to create tags quickly.

11. Take Advantage of Advanced Photos & Camera Features

Photography lovers will enjoy iOS 18’s camera upgrades.

ProRAW & ProRes for All: Even mid-tier iPhones now support high-end formats.
Smart HDR 5: Improved color accuracy and shadow detail for all lighting conditions.
Instant Background Removal: Remove backgrounds from any image with a long press.

Tip: Try long-pressing a subject in any photo to “Lift Subject” and use it as a sticker.

12. Save Time with Shortcut Automation

Shortcuts have become smarter and easier to use.

Pre-Built Automations: iOS suggests useful routines like “Turn on Low Power Mode when battery < 20%.”
Voice Activation: Trigger any shortcut with Siri.
Cross-App Integration: Combine actions from Maps, Messages, Calendar, and more into one routine.

Tip: Open the Shortcuts app and explore the “Automation” tab to set up your workflows.

13. Keep Your Home Screen Tidy with App Library & Widgets

With so many apps, a clutter-free Home Screen is essential.

App Library Folders: Swipe left from your Home Screen to find auto-categorized app folders.
Stacked Widgets: Stack multiple widgets on top of each other to save space.
Smart Suggestions: iOS suggests apps based on time and location.

Tip: Drag one widget onto another to create a stack. Swipe through the stack directly on your screen.

14. Use Face ID with Face Mask & Sunglasses

iOS 18 supports Face ID even in challenging conditions.

Face ID with Mask: Your iPhone now recognizes partial facial features accurately.
Sunglasses Support: Face ID is more compatible with polarized and tinted glasses.
Faster Unlocking: Face ID now unlocks up to 20% faster.

Tip: Go to Face ID & Passcode settings and enable “Face ID with a Mask.”

15. Translate Anywhere, Instantly

Apple Translate is now system-wide.

Tap-to-Translate: Highlight any text in apps like Messages or Safari and translate on the spot.
Offline Translation: Translate up to 15 languages without internet.
Conversation Mode: Use split-screen translation for real-time chats.

Tip: Open the Translate app to download languages for offline use.

16. Stay on Top of Your Health with the Health App

Apple Health has become a daily wellness companion.

Mood Tracking: Log your mood and mental health daily.
Medication Reminders: Add prescriptions and get alerts to take them.
Health Sharing: Share your data securely with family or doctors.

Tip: Check “Trends” in the Health app to spot improvements or declines in health metrics.

17. Utilize Apple Pay Later and Tap to Pay

Apple is revolutionizing payments.

Apple Pay Later: Split purchases into four payments with no interest.
Tap to Pay on iPhone: Small businesses can accept payments by tapping another iPhone.
Card Management: Add virtual cards, see spending summaries, and set limits.

Tip: Use Wallet > Apple Pay Later to manage your installment plans.

18. AirDrop Over Internet

One of the newest features in iOS 18.

AirDrop via iCloud: Start an AirDrop, walk away, and it continues using your iCloud connection.
Large Files Support: Share large videos and projects even beyond Wi-Fi range.
Automatic Resume: Transfers paused due to connectivity will auto-resume when possible.

Tip: Both sender and receiver must be signed into iCloud for this to work.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a casual iPhone user or a power user, knowing these iOS 18 tips and tricks in 2025 can transform how you interact with your device. Apple has made major strides in customization, productivity, privacy, and convenience. By learning these hidden features and best practices, you’ll unlock the full potential of your iPhone and stay ahead in the digital age.