Three iPhone secrets you’ve never noticed including hidden codes
YOUR iPhone is packed with secret features you might have missed.
We've hand-picked three of the best to turn you into an iPhone hack pro.
Get iPhone rain warnings
The iPhone has a hidden setting that gives you weather alerts based on your location.
If rain, hail or snow is about to start where you are, it'll warn you.
This gives you time to run for cover, turn around on your walk, or pop open the umbrella.
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It's linked to the huge overhaul of the new iPhone Weather app that rolled out with iOS 15 in September 2021.
First, make sure you're updated to the latest iOS – go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Then grant the Weather app your location info, otherwise it won't work.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Weather and select Always.
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You'll get even better alerts if you grant Precise Location access.
Next, make sure the Weather app can send notifications.
Go to Settings > Notifications > Weather > Allow Notifications, and then select which type of alerts you want.
Finally, you then need to enable weather alerts.
Go into the Weather app and choose the list icon in the bottom-right.
At the top you'll see an option called Stay Dry.
If that doesn't appear, tap the three dots in the top right and then go to Notifications.
Tap Turn On Notifications, and then activate the switch for My Location.
Then tap Done in the top-right and it should work.
Now you'll get a warning just before it's about to start raining where you are.
Secret iPhone codes
You could access numerous useful iPhone features by typing in a few secret codes into your phone dialpad.
Here are some of the best:
- *#06# – IMEI number
- *3001#12345#* – signal info
- *61* – divert incoming call (add the number you want the calls to be diverted to then add hash)
- *67 (or #31# outside US) – hide caller ID
- *646# – minutes left on contract
- *33* then PIN then hash – prevent outgoing calls
- *43# – enable call waiting
- #43# – disable call waiting
Translate foreign-language signs with iPhone
Your iPhone can instantly translate any foreign-language sign.
First, open your iPhone camera and take a photo of a foreign-language sign.
Then navigate to the image in your Photos app.
Now hold your finger down and drag your finger over the text.
Use this to highlight the text just like you would in a document.
Now tap Translate on the pop-up menu that appears above the text.
It will automatically translate the text to English (or another language of your choice).
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You can copy the translation or change the language using settings.
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And you can even get the iPhone to speak the English translation to you out loud.
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