iOS 8 Tips, Tricks and Secrets
17 iOS 8 tips, tricks and secrets to get you started
Whether you're already running the iOS 8, thinking about buying an iPhone 6
or just wondering whether to download iOS 8, here's a selection of iOS 8
tips, tricks and secrets to help you master the new features.
We'll keep updating this article all the time, so share your tips in the comments below and we'll add the best ones to the guide.
We'll keep updating this article all the time, so share your tips in the comments below and we'll add the best ones to the guide.
Watch our iOS 8 tips and tricks video
Last
Update on 22nd September added: Adding and removing widgets; adding
shortcuts to Today view; marking all messages as read; subscribing to
websites in Safari
iOS 8 Tips and Tricks: Today view and Notifications
How to add and remove widgets from the Today View
iOS
8 adds the ability to add and remove widgets from third-party apps from
the Today view. This means you can add your preferred task or weather
app, for example, and other features. To add and remove them, swipe down
from the top of the screen to access the 'Today' screen. From here,
scroll down and press 'Edit' and select the ones you want. You can
remove the default ones, too, and change the order widgets appear.
How to add app shortcuts to the Today view
This is a neat trick made possible by the new third-party support and an app called Launcher. The app lets you create shortcuts to apps in the Today view, but also to specific sections of the Settings app and actions such as calling specific people. It's a useful way to access commonly used settings, such as switching mobile data on and off, and calling loved ones quickly. Launcher is free to download, though there's a pro version for £1.99.
How to add app shortcuts to the Today view
This is a neat trick made possible by the new third-party support and an app called Launcher. The app lets you create shortcuts to apps in the Today view, but also to specific sections of the Settings app and actions such as calling specific people. It's a useful way to access commonly used settings, such as switching mobile data on and off, and calling loved ones quickly. Launcher is free to download, though there's a pro version for £1.99.
Left, shortcuts in the Today view; Right, the Launcher app
iOS 8 Tips and Tricks: Safari
Subscribe to websites using Shared Links
This
is one of those small but hugely useful features you'll love once you
know about it. The Shared Links tab, under the bookmarks section, has
always showed links from social networks but you can also subscribe to
websites.
To do so, visit the website then go to the Bookmarks section shown by the book icon. From here press the '@' icon, select 'Subscriptions' from the bottom and then 'Add Current Site' at the bottom. You can add and remove sites here, too. It's a useful way to keep an eye on blogs that don't post often, and this works across Safari on all your devices.
To do so, visit the website then go to the Bookmarks section shown by the book icon. From here press the '@' icon, select 'Subscriptions' from the bottom and then 'Add Current Site' at the bottom. You can add and remove sites here, too. It's a useful way to keep an eye on blogs that don't post often, and this works across Safari on all your devices.
iOS 8 Tips and Tricks: Messages and Keyboard
How to turn predictive QuickType text on and off
One of the iOS 8's new features is a predictive text system called QuickType.
This isn't new if you've had an Android phone,
but it's new to iOS. You now get a bar that automatically generates
suggestions as you type, learning what words you use as you go.
There are two ways to turn this feature on or off. One is two swipe up or down from the top edge of the keyboard. The other is to press and hold on the 'Emoji' icon in the bottom left, which brings up a simple toggle.
There are two ways to turn this feature on or off. One is two swipe up or down from the top edge of the keyboard. The other is to press and hold on the 'Emoji' icon in the bottom left, which brings up a simple toggle.
How to add third-party keyboard
This is one of the most important new features of iOS 8. First you'll need some keyboards, read our best iOS 8 keyboards feature for a selection. Next, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and then select 'Add New Keyboard...'
Now all you need to do is select the keyboard(s) you want and you're ready to go. If you want to try multiple keyboards, you can switch between them by pressing the globe icon on each keyboard.
Now all you need to do is select the keyboard(s) you want and you're ready to go. If you want to try multiple keyboards, you can switch between them by pressing the globe icon on each keyboard.
How to mark all messages as read
A
common irritation is when you have a bunch of messages that you've
already read, or don't need to read, but which are still marked as
unread. iOS 8 makes it easier to get rid of that annoying message
bubble, without actually deleting all the messages. To mark all your
unread messages as read, press on 'Edit' in the Messages app and and
then 'Read All' in the bottom left corner.
How to send voice messages from the Messages App
Messages in iOS 8 has lots of new features, including the ability to send voice messages using iMessage. To do this, simply tap and hold the microphone icon to the right of message box. Record your message and then let go to stop. Select the 'X' icon to cancel and up arrow to send the voice message.
How to silence a group chat in Messages
In a group chat that is driving you mad? You can silence the group in iOS 8. Go to the group thread, select 'Details' in the top right corner and scroll down to the 'Do Not Disturb' toggle at the bottom.
How to send voice messages from the Messages App
Messages in iOS 8 has lots of new features, including the ability to send voice messages using iMessage. To do this, simply tap and hold the microphone icon to the right of message box. Record your message and then let go to stop. Select the 'X' icon to cancel and up arrow to send the voice message.
How to silence a group chat in Messages
In a group chat that is driving you mad? You can silence the group in iOS 8. Go to the group thread, select 'Details' in the top right corner and scroll down to the 'Do Not Disturb' toggle at the bottom.
Go to the 'Details' section of any group chat to access numerous options
How to easily share your location with someone
One
of the cooler new features is the ability to quickly and easily share
your location with someone. It's much easier than explaining it and you
don't have to find the address or street by hand.
In a message, tap 'Details' and then 'Send My Current Location'. Another option is to share your location throughout the day for a period of time. This is useful if someone needs to find you but you're not staying in one place for long.
In a message, tap 'Details' and then 'Send My Current Location'. Another option is to share your location throughout the day for a period of time. This is useful if someone needs to find you but you're not staying in one place for long.
iOS 8 Tips and Tricks: Camera Tips
How to adjust exposure manually
Apple's
camera app has never included much manual control, but iOS 8 adds the
ability to tweak the exposure manually before you shoot. To do so,
simply tap to focus and then drag up or down when the brightness symbol.
How to record a time-lapse video
Another
new feature is the time-lapse feature. This is a fun way to create
videos of very slow moving objects and events, such as clouds in the
sky, the sunset, the tide or any other number of things. To access it,
just swipe right in the camera app.
There are two things worth trying. One is securing your phone and leaving it to record -- we stuck the phone to window using to record the above video.
There are two things worth trying. One is securing your phone and leaving it to record -- we stuck the phone to window using to record the above video.
Alternatively, the time-lapse can
also be used to speed up normal movements to ridiculous speeds. The
keyboard typing video above is a classic example of this.
iOS 8 Tips and Tricks: HealthKit
How to setup your Health Kit Medical ID
HealthKit
is one of iOS 8's signature features. It collates health information
from supported apps into one interface, all of which is also available
to other Health Kit apps.
One of the simpler features is the Medical ID, where you can provide basic health information in the case of emergency. Go to the Health app and select 'Medical ID' and then 'Edit' in the top right corner. From here you can add any medications, conditions and other pertinent info, such as your blood type.
Other apps can't access this info, but it is accessible from the lock screen in the case of an emergency.
One of the simpler features is the Medical ID, where you can provide basic health information in the case of emergency. Go to the Health app and select 'Medical ID' and then 'Edit' in the top right corner. From here you can add any medications, conditions and other pertinent info, such as your blood type.
Other apps can't access this info, but it is accessible from the lock screen in the case of an emergency.
How to access iPhone Medical ID from the lock screen
If
you need access someone's medical details in an emergency, swipe right
on the lock screen, tap on 'Emergency' and then select 'Medical ID' in
the bottom left. This will show you a person's basic medical info if
they have added to the Health app.
iOS 8 Tips and Tricks: Mail App
Get notifications for specific email threads
Sometimes
you don't want to hear about all your email, but only specific, very
important exchanges. You can set this up very quickly and easily in the
Mail app. Swipe left on the message, tap 'More' tab and select 'Notify
Me' to activate. Do this again to turn them off.
New Mailboxes make it easier to organise email
How to see just emails with attachments
Where
is that email with the attachment? You know, the one with the
nonsensical subject line that you can't find? A new feature in iOS 8
lets you see just email with attachments. On the Mailboxes screen,
select 'Edit' and select 'Attachments' from the list.
Other new options include the option to just see emails from today and threads you're getting notifications on.
Other new options include the option to just see emails from today and threads you're getting notifications on.
How to hide the Compose window to read emails
This
neat new feature lets you hide the compose window without actually
closing it, which is useful if you want to check a new email or a detail
without saving and coming back.
To do so, swipe down on the subject header at the top. The compose window then sits at the bottom of the screen, where you can then tap it to bring it back.
To do so, swipe down on the subject header at the top. The compose window then sits at the bottom of the screen, where you can then tap it to bring it back.
iOS 8 Tips and Tricks: Settings
How to track which apps use the most battery
This useful new feature lets you keep an eye on which apps use the most battery.
Most of the time this should be consistent with how much you use the apps, but if one is using more than its fair share -- perhaps because of background updates -- this helps you identify it.
Most of the time this should be consistent with how much you use the apps, but if one is using more than its fair share -- perhaps because of background updates -- this helps you identify it.
To access this feature, head to the Settings app and go to 'General. From here select 'Usage' and then 'Battery Usage'.
