18 iOS 26 Hidden Gems You Might Have Missed
By Nelson Aguilar | Published: 2025-10-29 17:30:00 | Source: CNET
Apple’s iOS 26 launched to much fanfare, especially since the company switched gears and ditched iOS 19. From the liquid glass redesign to new AI-powered features to Siri’s glow, there’s been a fair amount of updates to unpack.
No matter what features make the headlines, I’m always more concerned about the lesser-known features that most people don’t even know are available on their iPhone. These settings are like Apple’s hidden gems for those who are curious enough to explore everything the latest update has to offer.
After a deep dive, here are the 18 best hidden features in iOS 26 that I bet you didn’t know about. With a few small tweaks, you can customize your iPhone in a way that suits your needs. But who am I kidding? These small changes have made life a little easier and more convenient when it comes to using my phone every day.
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1. Change the default snooze duration for the alarm
If you’ve ever wondered about the random 9-minute snooze option on iPhone, There is a history behind it. It’s a leftover from analog design, when early mechanical alarms couldn’t be easily set at 10-minute intervals, so engineers opted for a lower minute. Digital watches do not have this limitation, but the tradition persists.
In iOS 26, you can finally change the snooze duration. All you have to do is go to hour app, tap on your alarm clock and tap Snooze duration At the bottom. You can set Snooze for between 1 and 15 minutes, but the setting only applies to each individual alarm. This means you’ll either need to keep reusing the same alarm or set snooze every time you create a new alarm.
You should 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 file that’s less than 30 seconds long, then tap Share button and click Use it as a ringtone. iOS 26 drops it in Settings > Sounds & haptics > Ringtonewhere you can set it system-wide or assign it to a contact. The same option appears for voice memosThrough the participation sheet.
Note: Apple Music tracks are not eligible as custom ringtones.
3. Copy only a selection of the text message
The Messages app now lets you highlight and copy just part of a text bubble instead of grabbing the whole thing, which is useful if you’re trying to copy a password or code that isn’t highlighted. Press and hold the message, then tap He chooses Then use the selection handles to capture only the section you want. This is especially useful when a long message contains only one excerpt that you want to paste elsewhere.
4. Places visited in maps
Maybe you want to remember a Thai food place you tried on vacation or retrace the trail from a weekend getaway. Instead of scrolling through photos or text messages to jog your memory, the answer is already in maps. Apple Maps now keeps a record of the places you’ve been, with dates and details. It opens Maps > Profile icon > Places > Places visited To see the list. They’re private and stored locally on your iPhone, so only you can see them.
The feature is still in beta, which means it may contain bugs and other issues at the moment.
5. Battery charging time estimates
When you plug your iPhone into power, the lock screen now tells you how long it will take for the battery to reach 80% and 100%. You’ll see “13 minutes to 80%” or “1 hour 8 minutes to 100%” just above the time and below the battery indicator. You can also go to Settings > Battery To verify this information. It’s a simple addition, but it takes the guesswork out of planning quick additions before heading out.
If you don’t see the battery percentage at the top of the lock screen, press the Home button.
6. Adaptive power mode
New option in Settings > Battery > Power mode He presents Adaptive strength. Instead of choosing between Low Power and Standard, Adaptive quickly adjusts performance and background activity. If you’re streaming music at home, this saves battery. If you are gaming or recording video, this increases performance. You don’t have to think about it, the phone adapts automatically.
7. Convert images into 3D spatial scenes
In the pictures, you will now find a file Spatial scenes The feature turns photos into immersive 3D views with subtle movement. Open a photo in the Photos app and search for Spatial Toggle at top right. With compatible devices, you can tilt and move your iPhone to explore depth and perspective as if you were still standing there.
8. Find screenshots using visual intelligence
In iOS 26, visual intelligence starts the moment you take a screenshot. Once you’ve taken a screenshot, click on the thumbnail to open the editor, and you’ll see two new buttons: I ask (Send screenshot with written question to ChatGPT) and Image search (Submit it to Google to get visually similar results.)
You can also draw a specific area with your finger to target what you’re asking about. Even without these buttons, iOS will display contextual actions, for example, “Add to Calendar” if your screenshot includes an event or Shopping Results if you discover a product. Detection happens on the device, but using Ask or Image Search results in the image being shared with relevant services, so skip it for sensitive screenshots.
To find something in your screenshot, simply paint over it with your finger.
9. Lyrical translations for Apple Music
If you listen to songs in other languages, Apple Music can now translate lyrics in real time. Click on words View, then tap New Translate these songs The button at the bottom left to see the translated lyrics match the music, just below the original lyrics. This allows you to enjoy the meaning of the song without missing the beat and is perfect for discovering new genres.
This won’t work for every song.
10. Screening incoming calls
The Phone app now supports live call screening. When an unknown number comes up, press Screen call And see a real-time transcript of what the caller is saying. You can decide whether you want to answer, reject, or allow it to go to voicemail. It’s as if the iPhone has borrowed one of Android’s best ideas and refined it.
11. Take a photo with your AirPods
AirPods get a new trick: They act as a remote off button. With the Camera app open, double-tap your AirPod to take a photo. It’s great for group shots or when your phone is on a tripod across the room.
12. Add backgrounds to your text messages
You can now personalize your text message thread. In iOS 26, you can set a custom conversation background in Messages. All you have to do is open the chat and press Name/address At the top, choose Backgrounds Then choose a color, gradient, or image, or create one using Image Playground.
You can remove backgrounds in the same way, just select None.
13. Edit PDF files with preview
The Preview app, a staple of macOS, is now integrated into iOS for PDF files. Open the PDF file in Files or Mail, tap TagsYou can highlight text, add notes, sign documents, or rearrange pages. No third party application required.
Preview is a standalone application that you can use to edit your PDF files.
14. Swipe from the middle of the screen to go back
Apple has added a new gesture for smoother navigation. Instead of just swiping right 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 left to right from anywhere in the app window, and you’ll move backwards without having to hug the edge.
15. Check the weather even if your service is not available
iOS 26 brings satellite connectivity to the Weather app, so you can still check conditions even when you’re off the grid. If you’re hiking in the mountains or traveling through a dead zone, the app will use Apple’s satellite system to pull up basic forecasts like temperature, precipitation chances, and severe weather alerts. You’ll see a small satellite icon at the top of the Weather app when it’s in use. Obviously it won’t replace full connectivity, but it makes the iPhone much more useful in those moments when service is not available.
16. Get a notification to clean the camera lens
When the Camera app detects glare, fog, or smudges on the lens, it will gently remind you to wipe and clean it. You’ll see a quick alert on the screen before you take the photo. It’s not intrusive, but it can prevent you from realizing later that your once-in-a-lifetime photo has appeared cloudy.
17. HDR screenshots
Screenshots are now captured in HDR on iOS 26, which means what you save 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 saved in your photo library.
18. Passport in the wallet
Wallet will soon support digital passports in some regions. Add them the same way you would add a driver’s license: Wallet > + > Add Passport. Once set up, you can use it at supported airports and checkpoints. It’s not universal yet, but it’s the clearest sign that your physical portfolio is on borrowed time.
iOS 26’s biggest features may be overshadowed, but it’s these little touches that make using the iPhone feel smoother and more personal. From smarter alarms to immersive photos to practical call screening, the update is full of small victories you’ll notice every day. This is what makes it worth installing.
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