Some of the best, not so obvious, built in, iOS7 iPhone features
We're talking about built-in features in iOS 7 that most users haven't discovered yet, default features that don't require a jailbreak or a third party app to be installed.
1. Passlock with Letters
Go to Settings > General > Passcode Lock and uncheck 'Simple Passcode'. From then on you'll be able to use numbers AND letters for your password and make it longer than 4 characters. But please don't choose passwords like 'qwerty' or '1234567' - read our Comprehensive Guide to Secure Passwords for further advice.
2. Timestamps for Messages
Open a conversation in Messages and slide to the left. There you go, timestamps!
3. Enable the Emoji characters
We wrote a small guide for that: How to enable the Emoji Keyboard on iOS.
4. Custom Vibrations
This neat feature was added back in iOS 5 but it's still less used. Go to Settings > Sounds > and choose 'Ringtone' or 'Text Tone' or pretty much anything under 'Sounds and Vibration Patterns'. Then scroll up to 'Vibration', tap it and scroll down to 'Create New Vibration'. You'll see the option to tap in order to create a custom vibration pattern, that you'll be able to use system wide from now on. Now how about creating a vibration pattern by tapping to your favorite song?
5. The Level
Of course you opened the Compass app before, but did you swipe to the left? It reveals the second screen for the Compass app, which features a digital level. Start aligning your wall paintings.
I guess you already know how to block calls, enable flash for alerts, close multiple apps at once, and disable all in-app purchases with a single tap. No? Ok then, read on.
6. Block Calls and Messages
Getting cyber-bullied or you are simply annoyed by spam text messages? Head over to Settings > Phone > Blocked and add numbers to the list.
7. Closing Multiple Apps
You can close the apps opened in background by double-clicking the Home button and then drag them up with 1, 2 or 3 fingers at once. Double tapping the Home button also allows you to switch faster between the opened apps.
8. LED Flash for Notifications
Go to Settings > General > Accessibility and scroll to 'Led Flash for Alerts' which should be set to Off by default. Turn it On and enjoy (or not) the flash going off every time you get an alert such as an alarm going off or call coming in.
9. Disable All In-App Purchases
Again, head over to Settings > General > Restrictions and tap 'Enable' if you have this set to off. Scroll to 'In-App Purchases' and tap it to Off. Quite an useful setting for parental control or ... self-control.
Bonus Tip: You can charge your iPhone faster by placing it in Airplane mode. This way the GPS, WiFi, etc won't use the battery while charging, thus resulting in a more faster battery refill.
If you overlooked any of these features until now, let us know in the comments section below or tell us about more cool 'hidden' features that should be on this list.
