Tips/Tricks

Published on June 29th, 2011 | by Joe Rocha

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Whether you consider yourself an iOS  veteran of the game or a newbie with a fresh new iPhone, iPad, or iTouch, we have some tips and tricks you may be missing out on that could greatly improve your efficiency on your iDevice. Without further ado, here is the top 10 iOS tips and tricks you didn’t know.

10. Screen orientation lock

Don’t you just hate when the screen keeps jumping back and forth when you don’t want it too. Apple realized this angered you and added a portrait lock mode.

Simply double click the home button and scroll left on the bottom pop-up. Now click the rotate icon on the left. Your icon should look like this once done.

9. Dropping pins on the map

Say your dealing with more than two map points in Google maps.. A hassle no more with the ability to drop a pin where you like.

All you would need to do is hold down your finger on the point you like until you see a new pin appear.

8. Compass magnetometer button

I have noticed that many people get confused by google maps because they are unsure of which way they are pointed in relation to the map. That’s why Apple was very happy to add the magnetometer feature that added a compass to iOS devices from the 3G[S] up. Sorry original iPhone 2g and 3G.

Simply push this button in the bottom left.

7. Status bar shortcut

Don’t waste time scrolling back up to the top of the page when you get to the end of an article in safari or anything else for that matter. The top status bar is actually a big shortcut that brings you back to the top of the page. Tap the status bar and watch the page snap to the beginning.

6. Change .com and letters quickly

We don’t always surf just ‘.com’ sites so Apple has added this shortcut. Simply hold down your finger a little longer on .com and you will get the pop out of .org, edu, etc. This same trick works on the letters to get different characters.

5. Bookmark favorite sites on springboard

We’re sure you have favorite sites (iPhoneSpies.com) that you would like to access quickly on your iPhone or iPad. You have that ability! Simply click on this icon on the bottom in Safari while on your fav. site:

You should see the pop-up  and click Add to Home Screen

4. Checking links in Safari before clicking

There’s definitely seedy sites out there on the net. Not a good idea to just go clicking on everything on your mobile device. All thats needed to be done is holding your finger on the link to preview the URL.

3. Quickly delete emails/TXT

Don’t delete the old fashion way. To delete quickly on the go you would just swipe your finger from left to right on the text or email and you will see a delete pop up.

2. Place someone on hold shortcut

The iOS call center has gone through some changes over time, such as removing the ability to put someone on hold from the call screen. No worries, simply hold on the Mute button and it will transform to a hold button now!

1. Location of your Apple User Guide

The Apple bible is surprisingly not known by many. You can find this gem on your device by going into Safari and clicking the bookmark icon. Scroll down a little and you will see “iPhone User Guide“

Bonus – Invert EVERYTHING TRICK

There is an interesting invert feature within the iOS options. If you go to
Settings > General > Accessibility > Then turn on “White on Black” you get this.

Hope you enjoyed! Make sure to Like iPhoneSpies on Facebook , follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to us on Youtube for more great tips and news on your iOS device.

Tags: iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4

About the Author

Joe Rocha Background in Graphic Arts/Visual Communication. A proud iPhone user from the beginning. iPhoneSpies founder, designer, & editor. My work: AdroitGraphics.com

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