Face ID
- Type: Security
- Needs: TrueDepth camera
Unlock your phone, sign in to apps, and approve payments by looking at the screen. Available on Face ID-capable iPhones; other models use Touch ID instead.
Read the Face ID guideiPhone features
iPhone features explained
These features are closely tied to your iPhone's hardware, so what's available can depend on your exact model. Below is a plain-language overview of each, with links to step-by-step guides where we have them. Details change with new iPhones and iOS updates, so always confirm against your own device.
Camera features
- Type: Photography
- Needs: Varies by model
Modern iPhones include modes like Portrait, Night mode, and various photo styles. Which modes you get, and how they behave, depends heavily on your model's cameras.
See Live Text & PhotosBattery tools
- Type: Power
- Needs: iOS 13+
Low Power Mode stretches a charge, and Battery Health shows how your battery is ageing and can optimise charging to reduce wear.
Read the battery guideBack Tap
- Type: Accessibility
- Needs: iPhone 8+, iOS 14+
Tap the back of your iPhone two or three times to run a shortcut, such as taking a screenshot or opening Control Center.
Read the Back Tap guideEmergency SOS & Medical ID
- Type: Safety
- Needs: Varies by region
Call for help quickly and store key health details for responders. Some newer safety features require recent models and are only available in certain countries.
Read the safety guideFind My & Activation Lock
- Type: Security
- Needs: Apple Account
Find My helps you locate a lost iPhone, and Activation Lock makes a lost or stolen device harder for anyone else to use. Both are tied to your Apple Account.
Guide coming soon