Quick Tutorials

iPhones are known for being user-friendly, but many beginners overlook key features or develop habits that don’t actually benefit their device. If you’ve ever force-closed apps thinking it saves battery or ignored software updates for months, you might be making some common mistakes.

Here’s a list of the most frequent beginner iPhone mistakes—and how to fix them.

1. Manually Closing Apps to “Save Battery”

Many people assume that force-closing apps (swiping up from the app switcher) will improve battery life. In reality, iOS is designed to manage background apps efficiently.

When you leave an app, iOS suspends it, meaning it’s stored in memory without actively using CPU or battery. When you force-close and reopen an app, your iPhone has to reload it completely, which actually consumes more power than resuming it from memory.

Fix: Let iOS handle background apps on its own. Only force-close an app if it’s unresponsive or malfunctioning.

2. Not Setting Up Medical ID

Your iPhone has a built-in Medical ID feature that provides critical health information to first responders—even when your phone is locked. Paramedics regularly check for this, and it could save your life.

Fix:

1. Open the Health app
2. Tap your profile icon (top right corner)
3. Select Medical ID > Edit
4. Enter details like emergency contacts, allergies, and blood type

Your Medical ID is accessible from the lock screen under the Emergency Call option.

3. Ignoring Backups

Your iPhone holds a ton of valuable data—photos, messages, contacts, and more. If your device is lost, stolen, or malfunctions, you could lose everything if you don’t have a backup.

Fix: Set up iCloud Backup (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup). iCloud provides 5GB of free storage, but you may need an upgrade. If you prefer local backups, connect your iPhone to a Mac (via Finder) or a Windows PC (using the Apple Devices app).

✅ Recommended: If you have a lot of photos and videos, iCloud+ (starting at $0.99/month) is worth considering for more storage.

4. Not Setting Up an Apple Account

Your Apple ID is the key to everything in the Apple ecosystem—iCloud, App Store, iMessage, FaceTime, and more. Without it, you’re missing out on core features.

Fix: If you haven’t already, set up an Apple ID via Settings > Sign in to your iPhone.

5. Skipping iOS Updates

While minor updates install automatically, major iOS updates often require manual installation. Updates not only bring new features but also fix security vulnerabilities and bugs.

Fix:

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install updates regularly.

• If a major update (e.g., iOS 18) just launched, some users prefer waiting a couple of weeks to ensure there are no major bugs.

6. Not Managing Storage Properly

Running out of space? Many people assume they need to upgrade to a higher-storage iPhone, but in reality, proper storage managementcan save you from that expense.

Fix:

• Offload unused apps (Settings > General > iPhone Storage).
• Use iCloud Photos to keep pictures in the cloud instead of local storage.
• Delete old messages and downloads that take up unnecessary space.

📌 Bonus: Check out this full guide on clearing up space on your iPhone

7. Not Using Keyboard Gestures

The iPhone’s keyboard has hidden tricks that make typing faster:

• Swipe to type instead of tapping individual keys.
• Hold the spacebar to turn the keyboard into a trackpad for precise cursor movement.
• Tap a second finger while holding the spacebar to highlight text quickly.

Try these out—they’ll save you time!

8. Ignoring Apple Pay

Apple Pay is not just convenient—it’s more secure than using physical cards. It uses encryption and tokenization to keep your payment details safe.

Fix: Set up Apple Pay via Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay, then add your credit/debit card. You can use it for contactless payments in stores, apps, and online.

9. Underestimating Siri’s Capabilities

Siri isn’t perfect, but it can make your life easier. You can use it to:

• Set timers and reminders
• Get directions hands-free while driving
• Check the weather, sports scores, and more

Fix: Enable “Hey Siri” via Settings > Siri & Search and experiment with different commands.

10. Not Customizing Privacy & Security Settings

iOS gives you full control over which apps can access your data. If you’ve never checked your settings, some apps might have unnecessary access to your location, photos, microphone, or camera.

Fix:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security
2. Review app permissions (Location, Photos, Microphone, Camera)
3. Disable tracking (Settings > Privacy > Tracking) to prevent apps from monitoring your activity across other apps

11. Not Customizing Control Center

The Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner) is a powerful tool, but many people don’t customize it.

Fix: Go to Settings > Control Center and add useful shortcuts like Dark Mode toggle, Quick Notes, or Screen Recording.

12. Not Using the Find My App

Find My lets you locate lost or stolen Apple devices—even if they’re offline.

Fix:

1. Open Settings > [Your Name] > Find My
2. Enable Find My iPhone and Find My Network
3. If your iPhone is lost, use another Apple device (or iCloud.com) to track it.

13. Not Using AirDrop

AirDrop allows you to quickly share photos, files, and links with other Apple devices without needing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth pairing.

Fix: Swipe down to Control Center > Long-press on Wi-Fi > Enable AirDrop and select Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes to start sharing.

14. Not Using AirPlay for Screen Mirroring

AirPlay lets you wirelessly stream your iPhone’s screen to a compatible TV, making it perfect for watching videos, sharing photos, or even gaming.

Fix: Open Control Center > Tap Screen Mirroring and select your smart TV or Apple TV.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been making any of these mistakes, don’t worry—you’re not alone! iPhones have a lot of hidden features, and learning how to use them properly can enhance your experience significantly.

Did I miss any common mistakes? Drop a comment and let me know!

📌 Bonus: Looking for iPhone accessories? Check out:

• Anker Wireless Charger – Perfect for convenient charging

• Spigen Screen Protector – Keep your display safe from scratches

• Apple MagSafe Wallet – A great way to store your cards securely

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