Now that you’ve had a few weeks to play with iOS 26, you’ve probably noticed the big, flashy updates like the new “Liquid Glass” design and all the AI-powered features. Apple made sure they were impossible to miss.
But the best parts of any new iOS update are usually the little things that Apple doesn’t bother to mention on stage. Inside your Settings are the hidden features and quality-of-life tweaks that actually change the way you use your iPhone every day.
We’re talking about the little tweaks that save you a few seconds here and there, the new customization options that make your phone feel like it’s truly yours, and the clever little tools you’ll stumble upon that will make you wonder how you ever lived without them. If you haven’t gone exploring yet, you’re missing out. Here are 18 of the best hidden features of iOS 26 that will actually interest you.
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1. Change your alarm’s default snooze duration
If you’ve ever wondered about the seemingly arbitrary 9 minute snooze option on the iPhone, there is a story behind it. It’s a relic of analog design, from when early mechanical alarm clocks couldn’t easily be set to 10-minute intervals, so engineers opted for one minute less. Digital clocks do not have this limitation, but the tradition has remained.
On iOS 26, you can finally change your snooze duration. All you need to do is go to Clock app, tap an alarm you have and tap Rehearsal duration down. You can set the snooze between 1 and 15 minutes, but the setting only applies to each alarm individually. This means that you will either have to keep reusing the same alarm or adjust the snooze each time you create a new one.
You must change the snooze duration for each alarm you set.
2. Create a custom ringtone
You no longer need GarageBand (or a Mac) to create your own ringtone. In Files, tap an MP3 or M4A less than 30 seconds long, tap the button Share button and press Use as ringtone. iOS 26 drops it into Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtonewhere you can set it system-wide or assign it to a contact. The same option appears for voice memosvia the share sheet.
Note: Apple Music songs are not eligible as custom ringtones.
3. Copy only a selection of a text message
Messages now lets you highlight and copy only part of a text bubble instead of typing the entire thing, which is useful if you’re trying to copy a password or code that isn’t highlighted. Tap and hold on the message, tap Select then use the selection handles to capture only the section you want. This is especially handy when a long message only contains a single snippet that you need to paste elsewhere.
4. Places visited in Maps
Maybe you want to remember the Thai restaurant you tried on vacation or retrace the itinerary of a weekend trip. Instead of scrolling through your photos or texts to refresh your memory, the answer is already in Maps. Apple Maps now keeps track of the places you’ve visited, with dates and details. Open Maps > Profile icon > Places > Places visited to see the list. It’s private and stored locally on your iPhone, so only you can see it.
The feature is still in beta, which means it may have bugs and other issues – for now.
5. Battery Charge Time Estimates
When you plug in your iPhone, the lock screen now tells you how long it will take your battery to reach 80% and 100%. You will see “13 mins at 80%” or “1 hr 8 mins at 100%” just above the time and below the battery indicator. You can also go to Settings > Battery to view this information. It’s a simple addition, but it takes the guesswork out of planning quick recharges before you leave.
If you don’t see the battery percentage at the top of your lock screen, press the home button.
6. Adaptive Power Mode
A new option in Settings > Battery > Power mode present Adaptive power. Instead of choosing between Low Power and Standard, Adaptive adjusts performance and background activity on the fly. If you stream music at home, this saves battery power. If you are gaming or recording videos, this improves performance. You don’t need to think about it: the phone adapts automatically.
7. Turn your photos into 3D space scenes
In Photos you will now find a Space scenes feature, which transforms photos into immersive 3D-like views with subtle movement. Open a photo in the Photos app and find it Spatial switch to the top right. With compatible devices, you can tilt and move your iPhone to explore depth and perspective as if you were still there.
8. Search screenshots with visual intelligence
In iOS 26, visual intelligence kicks in as soon as you take a screenshot. As soon as you take a screenshot, tap the thumbnail to open the editor and you will see two new buttons: Ask (send screenshot with typed question to ChatGPT) and Image search (send it to Google for visually similar results).
You can also paint a specific area with your finger to target what you’re asking for. Even without these buttons, iOS will show contextual actions, such as “Add to Calendar” if your screenshot includes an event or purchase results if it detects a product. Detection is done on-device, but using Ask or Image Search shares the image with the relevant services, so ignore them on sensitive screenshots.
To find something in the screenshot, simply paint over it with your finger.
9. Apple Music Lyric Translations
If you’re listening to songs in other languages, Apple Music can now translate lyrics in real time. Press the Words view, then press the new Translate these words at the bottom left to see the translated lyrics line up with the music, just below the original lyrics. This allows you to enjoy the meaning of the song without losing the rhythm and is perfect for discovering new genres.
This won’t work for all songs.
10. Filter incoming calls
The Phone app now supports live call screening. When an unknown number comes in, press Filter the call and watch a real-time transcript of what the caller says. You can decide to reply, decline, or leave it sent to voicemail. It feels like the iPhone borrowed one of Android’s best ideas and tweaked it.
11. Take a photo with your AirPods
AirPods get a new trick: act as a remote shutter release. With the Camera app open, double-tap an AirPod to take a photo. This is great for group photos or when your phone is on a tripod across the room.
12. Add backgrounds to your text messages
Now you can give a text message thread its own vibe. In iOS 26, you can set a custom chat background in Messages. All you have to do is open a chat, press the name/title at the top, choose Backgrounds then choose a color, gradient, photo or generate one with Image Playground.
You can remove backgrounds the same way, just select None.
13. Edit PDFs with Preview
The Preview app, long a macOS staple, is now built into iOS for PDFs. Open a PDF in Files or Mail, tap Markupand you can highlight text, add notes, sign documents, or rearrange pages. No third-party apps required.
Preview is a standalone application that you can use to edit your PDFs.
14. Swipe from the middle of the screen to go back
Apple has added a new gesture for smoother navigation. Instead of swiping right only from the left edge of the screen, you can now swipe right from the middle of the screen to go back. It works in Safari, Settings, Mail and other stock apps. Try swiping your finger from left to right from anywhere in the app window and you’ll move back without having to squeeze the edge.
15. Check the weather even when you don’t have service
iOS 26 brings satellite connectivity to the Weather app, so you can still check conditions even when you’re off-grid. If you’re hiking in the mountains or passing through a dead zone, the app will use Apple’s satellite system to display basic forecasts like temperature, chance of rain, and severe weather alerts. You’ll see a small satellite icon at the top of the Weather app when it’s in use. This obviously won’t replace a full connection, but it will make the iPhone much more useful in those moments without service.
16. Get notified to clean the camera lens
When the Camera app detects glare, haze, or smudges on the lens, it gently reminds you to wipe it. You will see a quick alert on the screen before taking the photo. It’s not intrusive, but it may save you from realizing later that your single photo has become cloudy.
17. HDR Screenshots
Screenshots are now captured in HDR on iOS 26, meaning what you record looks much closer to what you actually see on screen. Open a bright photo, take a screenshot, and you’ll notice the same highlights and contrast preserved in your photo library.
18. Passport in wallet
Wallet will soon support digital passports in some regions. Add it the same way you would for a driver’s license: Wallet > + > Add passport. Once configured, you can use it at supported airports and checkpoints. It’s not yet universal, but it’s the clearest sign that your physical wallet is on borrowed time.
iOS 26’s most important features may be taking the spotlight, but it’s these little touches that make using iPhone smoother and more personal. From smarter alarms to immersive photos to convenient call screening, the update is full of small wins you’ll notice every day. And that’s what’s worth installing.
