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How-to guides

iPhone & iOS how-to guides

Each guide is written the same way: what the feature does, which devices and software versions it needs, how to turn it on, how to use it, plus tips and common problems. Steps and availability can change with new iOS releases, so treat these as a friendly starting point and confirm against your own device.

Set up Focus modes

Category: iOS · Notifications & concentration

Focus is a set of built-in modes that limit which notifications and calls reach you at certain times — for example while you sleep, work, or drive — without turning off your phone entirely.

  • Feature: Focus
  • Requires: iOS 15 or later
  • Where: Settings › Focus

What does this feature do?

A Focus lets only the people and apps you choose interrupt you. You can create different Focus modes (such as Do Not Disturb, Sleep, Work or Personal) and give each one its own list of allowed contacts and apps. Some setups can also change your Home Screen or Lock Screen while the Focus is on.

Which iPhones support it?

Focus is part of iOS itself, so any iPhone that can run iOS 15 or later supports it. A few refinements — such as linking a Focus to a specific Lock Screen — were added in later iOS versions, so the exact options you see depend on your software version.

Which iOS version is required?

iOS 15 introduced Focus. If you don't see it, check Settings › General › Software Update to see whether your iPhone can update.

How to enable the feature

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Focus.
  3. Choose an existing Focus (like Do Not Disturb) or tap the + button to create a new one.
  4. Add the people and apps you still want to hear from.
  5. Optionally set a schedule so the Focus turns on automatically at certain times or places.

How to use it

Once set up, you can switch a Focus on quickly from Control Center: swipe down from the top-right corner, tap Focus, and pick one. Turn it off the same way when you're done.

Useful tip

Add a trusted contact or two to the "Allowed People" list so genuinely urgent calls still get through while everything else stays quiet.

Common problem

Missing important alerts? Open the Focus and review its allowed apps and people — a Focus hides notifications from anything not on those lists. You can also allow repeated calls from the same number within three minutes to ring through.

Important notes

Focus settings can sync across your Apple devices if that option is turned on, so enabling a Focus on your iPhone may also quiet your iPad or Mac. The available options vary by iOS version.

Set up and troubleshoot Face ID

Category: iPhone · Security & unlocking

Face ID lets supported iPhones unlock, sign in, and approve purchases by recognising your face with the front TrueDepth camera.

  • Feature: Face ID
  • Requires: Face ID-capable iPhone
  • Where: Settings › Face ID & Passcode

What does this feature do?

Face ID replaces typing your passcode for many everyday actions: unlocking the Lock Screen, signing into apps, autofilling passwords, and confirming Apple Pay and App Store purchases. Your face data is stored on the device itself, not shared with websites or apps.

Which iPhones support it?

Face ID is available on iPhone models that use the TrueDepth camera — generally the full-screen iPhones without a Home button (iPhone X and later Pro/standard models). Models with a Home button, and some iPhone SE models, use Touch ID (fingerprint) instead. Check Settings: you'll see either "Face ID & Passcode" or "Touch ID & Passcode" depending on your device.

Which iOS version is required?

Face ID has been supported since it launched with iOS 11 on the first compatible iPhone. Keeping iOS up to date is still worthwhile for the latest security fixes.

How to enable the feature

  1. Open Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode.
  2. Enter your passcode if asked.
  3. Tap Set Up Face ID and hold the phone in front of your face.
  4. Slowly move your head in a circle so the camera can capture all angles, twice.
  5. Choose what Face ID is used for, such as iPhone Unlock and Apple Pay.

How to use it

Glance at your iPhone on the Lock Screen and swipe up to unlock. In supported apps and at checkout, look at your phone when prompted to approve the action.

Useful tip

Set up an Alternate Appearance in the same settings screen if Face ID sometimes struggles — for example if your look changes a lot day to day.

Common problem

Face ID not recognising you? Make sure nothing covers the top of the screen, clean the camera area, and hold the phone about an arm's length away. If it still fails, tap Reset Face ID and set it up again.

Important notes

You'll still need your passcode after a restart, after several failed attempts, or when it hasn't been used for a while — this is a normal security behaviour, not a fault.

Emergency SOS & Medical ID

Category: iPhone · Safety

Emergency SOS helps you quickly call for help, while Medical ID makes key health details available to responders from the Lock Screen.

  • Feature: Emergency SOS
  • Requires: Varies by feature & region
  • Where: Settings › Emergency SOS

What does this feature do?

Emergency SOS lets you call local emergency services quickly and can alert your emergency contacts with your location. Medical ID stores information such as allergies, medications, and an emergency contact so it can be viewed without unlocking the phone.

Which iPhones support it?

Emergency calling features are available across modern iPhones. Some newer options — such as Emergency SOS via satellite, or Crash Detection — require recent iPhone models and are only offered in certain countries and regions. Because availability differs so much by model and location, check Apple's information for your specific device and country.

Which iOS version is required?

Core Emergency SOS and Medical ID have been available for many iOS versions. Newer safety features depend on both hardware and a recent version of iOS.

How to set it up

  1. Open Settings and tap Emergency SOS to review how calls are triggered.
  2. Open the Health app and tap your profile picture, then Medical ID.
  3. Tap Edit and add allergies, conditions, medications and blood type as you wish.
  4. Turn on Show When Locked so responders can see it.
  5. Add Emergency Contacts so they can be notified when you use SOS.

How to use it

The exact button combination to start an emergency call varies by model and is shown on the Emergency SOS settings screen. To view Medical ID on a locked iPhone, open the passcode screen and tap Emergency, then Medical ID.

Useful tip

Practise finding the Medical ID screen once so you know where it is — but avoid actually placing a test call to emergency services.

Common problem

Accidental SOS calls can happen if the buttons are held by mistake. If you see the countdown and don't need help, keep holding until you can cancel, or adjust the trigger options in Settings › Emergency SOS.

Important notes

Emergency features depend on network or, where supported, satellite coverage, and on local emergency systems. They may not work everywhere. Never rely on any single method in a real emergency.

Low Power Mode & Battery Health

Category: iPhone · Battery

Two related tools help you manage power: Low Power Mode reduces background activity to stretch a charge, and Battery Health shows how your battery is ageing.

  • Feature: Battery tools
  • Requires: iOS 13+ (varies)
  • Where: Settings › Battery

What does this feature do?

Low Power Mode temporarily reduces things like background refresh and some visual effects to save battery. Battery Health & Charging reports your battery's maximum capacity and can optimise charging to reduce wear over time.

Which iPhones support it?

Low Power Mode is available on a wide range of iPhones. The Battery Health & Charging screen appears on most modern iPhones, though the exact wording and options differ by model and iOS version.

Which iOS version is required?

Low Power Mode has been available for many versions. Optimised Battery Charging arrived in iOS 13, and later versions added more charging options on some models.

How to turn on Low Power Mode

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Battery.
  3. Turn on Low Power Mode.
  4. To reach it faster later, add a Low Power Mode control to Control Center.

How to check Battery Health

  1. Open Settings › Battery.
  2. Tap Battery Health & Charging (wording may vary).
  3. Review Maximum Capacity and any charging options shown.

Useful tip

Low Power Mode turns off automatically once the battery is charged enough, so it's fine to switch on whenever you're running low.

Common problem

Battery draining quickly? Scroll down the Battery screen to see which apps use the most power, and consider limiting background activity for the heaviest ones.

Important notes

All rechargeable batteries lose some capacity over time — a lower maximum capacity is normal with age. Battery figures are estimates and can shift with temperature and usage.

Use Back Tap shortcuts

Category: iPhone · Accessibility

Back Tap lets you trigger an action — like a screenshot or opening Control Center — by tapping the back of your iPhone two or three times.

  • Feature: Back Tap
  • Requires: iOS 14+, iPhone 8 or later
  • Where: Settings › Accessibility › Touch

What does this feature do?

Back Tap turns double or triple taps on the back of the phone into a shortcut. You can map each gesture to a system action, an accessibility feature, or a Shortcut you've created.

Which iPhones support it?

Back Tap is designed for iPhone 8 and later. It lives inside the Accessibility settings.

Which iOS version is required?

Back Tap was introduced in iOS 14.

How to enable the feature

  1. Open Settings › Accessibility.
  2. Tap Touch.
  3. Scroll down and tap Back Tap.
  4. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
  5. Pick an action, such as Screenshot or Control Center.

How to use it

Tap the centre of the back of your iPhone firmly two or three times to run the action you chose. It works through most cases, though a very thick case may reduce reliability.

Useful tip

Map Back Tap to a custom Shortcut to do more advanced things — like starting a specific playlist or sending a quick message template.

Common problem

Triggering by accident? Switch the action to Triple Tap, which is harder to set off unintentionally, or turn the gesture off if you don't use it.

Important notes

Sensitivity can vary with different cases and grips. If it feels unreliable, try tapping a little more firmly and closer to the centre of the phone.

Copy text from photos (Live Text)

Category: iOS · Camera & Photos

Live Text recognises text inside photos and in the camera view, so you can select, copy, call, or translate it just like normal text.

  • Feature: Live Text
  • Requires: iOS 15+, newer chips
  • Where: Camera & Photos

What does this feature do?

Point your camera at a sign, receipt, or document — or open a photo that contains text — and Live Text lets you highlight that text to copy it, look it up, or tap phone numbers and web addresses directly.

Which iPhones support it?

Live Text requires a device with a newer Apple chip (roughly iPhone models from the iPhone XS / XR generation onward). Supported languages also expand over time, so recognition quality can depend on the language and iOS version.

Which iOS version is required?

Live Text arrived with iOS 15 on supported devices; later versions added more languages and the ability to work with text in video frames.

How to use it

  1. Open the Camera or a picture in Photos.
  2. Touch and hold the text in the image.
  3. Drag the handles to select, then choose Copy, Look Up, or Translate.
  4. Tap a highlighted phone number or link to act on it directly.

How to turn it on or off

If selecting text in photos doesn't work, open Settings › General › Language & Region and make sure Live Text is turned on.

Useful tip

Use Live Text to save yourself typing — capture a Wi-Fi password, address, or serial number from a label instead of copying it by hand.

Common problem

No text button appearing? Make sure the text is clear and well lit, the image is in focus, and the language is one your device supports.

Important notes

Recognition isn't perfect, especially with handwriting or unusual fonts. Always double-check important details like numbers before relying on them.

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