iPhone – Tech Savvy Life

Fix iPhone Messages Hiding Behind Keyboard: Easy Workarounds

iPhone users may face a glitch where the keyboard hides parts of their messages. Restarting the device often resolves this issue. In the meantime, workarounds include tapping and holding, double-tapping, or single-tapping in the message area to reveal hidden content.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
September 8, 2026 –3 minutes read time

Overview

Your iPhone may be hiding parts of your messages due to a glitch. When you open a message, if the keyboard is displayed it may be hiding part of the message you are viewing. This is usually due to iOS failing to reset the layout when viewing a message. When this happens, here is no way to turn off the keyboard being displayed.

The best way to fix this problem is to shutdown and restart your iPhone. We tried this several times over a couple of weeks and the problem persisted. Then, finally a restart corrected the glitch. In the meantime, here are some workarounds to view parts of your message lucking behind the keyboard display.

Key Takeaways

Workarounds for keyboard hiding parts of your message.
Reduce frustrations when viewing aa message.

System Requirements

This tip was performed by iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Trouble Viewing Your Messages

Open the Messages app. Refer to the image below:

A smartphone home screen displaying various app icons on a purple background, with the Messages app highlighted in yellow. — Selecting the Messages app

2.If you see the keyboard, parts of a message may be hidden behind the keyboard display. Tap on a message. See the image below:

Screenshot of a messaging app showing conversations with messages from McCool Patti, Ruddick Nicole, and Aletha, Ryan & Michael. The keyboard is visible at the bottom. — Tapping a message

3. At this point, is there more to the message? We do not know. Your are unable to dismiss the keyboard. See the following image:

4. Workaround 1 – tap and hold on the message to reveal the missing part at the top of your screen. Refer to the image below:

Screenshot of a text conversation discussing concert plans, with messages from 'Patti' and 'Raymond', including options for responding and interacting in a messaging app. — Tap and hold the message

5. Workaround 2 – double tap the empty space on the keyboard above the letter row to reveal the missing part. See the image below:

A screenshot of a messaging application conversation between two people, Patti and Raymond. The left side shows Patti asking if she can show something on her phone, while the right side displays a joyful response from Patti about meeting Raymond and looking forward to a concert. The bottom section shows the keyboard interface for typing messages. — Double tap at top of keyboard

6. Workaround 3 – single tap the empty space at the bottom of the keyboard to reveal the rest of the message. See the following image:

Screenshot of a text conversation discussing plans for a concert, featuring messages between two individuals about meeting times and ticket details. — Single tap at bottom of keyboard

7. Alternatively, you can tap and hold the message, then scroll up keeping your finger on the message. We find this frustrating because a ssoon as you let go of the message, the missing part disappears.

Disclaimer

Technology is constantly evolving, and smartphone and desktop tech rarely remains static. Therefore, the information in this post is only accurate as of the date it was written. Blog posts that are older than six months may contain instructions that are no longer compatible with your device or operating system. We hope that the content from previous posts continues to function as intended. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life, where technology works for you.

Quote For the Day

Technology… is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other.

– Carrie Snow

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Author’s ebook

Author’s eBook

The author’s Vietnam eBook, “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath”, is available on Kindle devices and the Kindle App for desktop, laptop, and smartphone. The apps are free.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Quickly Clear All Notifications on iPhone

The post discusses how to efficiently clear notifications on an iPhone, particularly when they become overwhelming. It outlines a simple method involving swiping down to access the Notification Center, then using the “Clear All Notifications” option. Users are advised that cleared notifications cannot be recovered, emphasizing the importance of decluttering.

IRAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
September 1, 2026 – 3 minutes read time

Overview

Notifications on your iPhone provide you with important updates and information at a glance. However, if you are like us and do not dismiss or interact with your notifications frequently, they can start to pile up. When your Notification Center becomes cluttered and clogged up, you can easily clear all your notifications at once.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the unread notifications in your Notification Center, it might help to delete all your notifications. There’s a trick that makes this easy. Let’s explore how to clear notifications on iPhone:

Key Takeaways

Instantly get rid of all your notifications at once.
Declutter your Notification Center in a matter of seconds.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Clearing Your Notifications

1. If your iPhone is unlocked, swipe down from the top left of your screen to open the Notification Center. Refer to the image below:

2. If you do not see any notifications, try swiping up from your Lock Screen to pull them up. See the image below:

3. Tap and hold the X icon for a moment. See the following image:

4. Tap Clear All Notifications when it pops up. Their is no confirmation for this action. Refer to the image below:

That’s how to clear iPhone notifications. Once you tap Clear All Notifications on your iPhone, all of your notifications will immediately disappear from the Notification Center

There is no limit on the number of notifications your iPhone will keep. If you have never cleared your iPhone notifications, you could have hundreds of them.. It is recommended you remove those unneeded notifications. Now you do not have to deal with hundreds of notifications clogging up your iPhone every day!

Note! Once you clear your notifications from the Notification Center, they are permanently deleted.

Shame pm Apple software engineers. At least on Android devices, you can recover cleared notifications within past 24 hours.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.

– Omar N. Bradley

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Boost iPhone Performance with Automated Reboots

Regularly rebooting your iPhone enhances its performance by clearing temporary files and refreshing processes. Automating this task weekly saves time and provides security against potential threats. This guide details the process to set up automated reboots, ensuring your device runs smoothly while minimizing glitches or connectivity issues.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
SAugust 25. 2026 – 6 minutes read time

Overview

A smooth running iPhone does not happen by accident — it requires some care, like regular reboots to clear temporary files and refresh system processes.

One easy yet often overlooked way to boost iPhone performance is through regular reboots. Automating this process saves time and ensures your device stays efficient and responsive.

While Apple’s security measures are robust, a rebooting automation adds an extra layer of protection by interrupting any potential malicious activity that might rely on an extended session.

Additionally, automated reboots can address minor glitches like app crashes, sluggish performance, or connectivity hiccups. These issues often resolve after a restart, saving you from the frustration of troubleshooting on your own.

This is our first attempt to setup an Automation shortcut. We found it to be tricky and had to redo tsome steps. Fortunately, you can easily go back to the beginning or previous screens in Edit mode to correct any mistakes.

Note! This Automation shortcut is used for a Shut Down or Restart action. This is confusing. Shame on Apple; they need to make this clearer!

Key Takeaways

Automate a restart of your iPhone on a weekly basis.
Clean your iPhone of glitches, poor performance, connectivity and security issues via an automated restart.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Setup Auto Restaet

1. Open the Shortcuts app. Refer to the image below:

2. Tap the Automation tab at the bottom. See the image below:

Restart 2 — Selecting the Automation tab

3. Tap the Plus icon or the New Automation button. See the following page:

Restart 3 — Selecting the New Aiutomation button

4. Scroll and select Time of Day, then choose your preferred time and frequency (such as Daily, Weekly or Monthly. If Weekly, highlight only ONE day of a week (by default, all days are highlighted). For Monthly, select a day of the month. Refer to the image below for weekly setup:

Restart 4 — Selecting when to run the Automation restart

5. Select Run Immediately option so it executes without needing an extra confirmation tap, then tap Next. See the image below:

Restart 5 — Selecting the Run Immediately option

6. Choose Create New Shortcut then tap the Controls tab. Search for the Shut Down action and tap it. See the following image:

Restart 6 — Creating the Automation action

7. Tap the word “Shut Down” inside the action text and select the Restart option. Now tap Done in the top-right corner to save your new automation. Refer to the image below:

Verify Your Automation

8.When you view your new automation, it will show the action as Shut Down. This is misleading because your action is really Restart. To verify, you can tap on the automation entry then tap the Shut Down option to see Restart this device action. See the image below:

Restart 8 — Verifying your Restsrt action

Receive Notification When Run

9. If you want to be notified when the Restart occurs, go back one screen, toggle on Notify When Run then tap Done. See the following image:

Restart 9 — Selecting to be notified when the Restart occurs.

A well-thought-out restart schedule will keep your device running smoothly and hassle-free.

FAQ

What is the difference between Shut Down and Restart on an iPhone?

Shut Down: Powers off all systems completely. Your phone stays in a zero-power state to save battery or stay off during maintenance until you press the side button.

Restart: Clears temporary memory (RAM) and immediately reloads the operating system without requiring you to turn it back on manually.

How often should you Restart your iPhone?

You should restart your iPhone about once a week to maintain optimal performance, clear temporary memory, and enhance security.

Why Restart your iPhone weekly?

Clears RAM: Stops background processes and clears out temporary files that accumulate over time.

Fixes Glitches: Resolves minor bugs, lagging, or connectivity issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Improves Security: Clears out unauthorized background states and allows system updates or security measures to finalize effectively effectively.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant.

– Mitchell Kapor

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The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Use Automatic Speaker on iPhone

The post discusses the convenience of using automatic speaker mode on iPhones for long-distance calls. It provides a step-by-step guide to enable or disable this feature via the Accessibility settings. It highlights the benefits of avoiding direct phone contact with the face, ensuring a cleaner screen and easier conversations.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
August 11, 2026 – 3 minutes read time

Overview

We love talking on the phone for periods of time with all my long-distance friends. But we may not love holding the iPhone to my face for hours; that’s why we prefer to use speaker mode. Did you know you can turn on automatic speaker on your iPhone? If your iPhone automatically goes to speaker and you do not want it to, you can turn off speaker mode, too.

We take our iPhones with us everywhere, and everything our fingers touch inevitably ends up smeared on our phone screen. That’s why we love this tip that allows me to keep my phone away from my face while chatting. If you are wondering why your iPhone goes to speaker automatically, it’s to do with the Call Audio Routing iPhone feature. Here’s how to turn on automatic speaker on iPhone.

Key Takeaways

Avoid holding your iPhone to your face when you get a phone call without having to press any buttons.
Use automatic speaker on iPhone to default to speakerphone when you answer an incoming phone call.
Learn how to turn off automatic speaker on iPhone if this feature annoys you.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Enabling Automatic Speakerphone

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Refer to the image below:

2. Tap Accessibility. See the image below image:

Speaker 2 — Selecting Accessibility option

3. Tap Touch. See the following image:

4. Tap Call Audio Routing. Refer to the image below:

Speaker 4 — Selecting Call Audio Routing option

5. Tap Speaker. See the image below:

6. Now, when you get a phone call, your iPhone automatically goes to speaker! If you do not want your iPhone to enter speaker mode automatically, select Automatic in step 5 above.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

Technology presumes there’s just one right way to do things and there never is.

– Robert M. Pirsig

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How to Update All Apps on Your iPhone Quickly

This article explains how iPhone users can keep their apps updated efficiently. Users can choose to update all apps at once through the App Store or opt for manual updates. Automatic downloads can also be enabled for convenience.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
August 4, 2026 – 4 minutes read time

Overview

App developers tend to release updates frequently, whether it be to fix bugs or add new features. Keeping your apps up to date ensures you have the latest stable version compatible with your iOS version.

You can update your apps through the App Store. You can change your settings to update all apps automatically, or you can check which updates are available for your apps and download them manually.

.If you are wondering how to update apps on your iPhone all at once, this article is for you. Continue reading to find out how.

Key Takeaways

Update all your apps at once instead of manually updating one at a time.
Force apps to install the latest updates if they are out of date.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Update All Apps

Open the App Store. Refer to the image below:

2. Tap your profile icon at the top of the page. See the image below:

App Update 2 — Selecting your Profile icon

3. Tap App Updates. See the following image:

App Update 3 — Selecting App Updates option

4. The apps you need to update will be listed under Available Updates or Upcoming Automatic Updates. Update all your apps at once by tapping Update All. Refer to the image below:

App Update 4 — Selecting Update All option

5. Tap the X icon to close this screen. Your apps will continue updating in the background. See lthe image below:

Now, you can update all apps on your iPhone whenever you want. All the apps will begin downloading their updates, and you will be good to go!

Update Apps Manually

However, if you decide you do not like having your apps update automatically, you can also update your iPhone apps manually.

6. To do this, in step 4 above, tap the Update option for a particular app. See the following image:

App Update 6 — Selecting to Update an app

Hands-Off App Uodates

Instead of checking for app updates, you can set your Settings to hands-off app updates.

7. Open the Settings app. Refer to the image below:

8. Scroll to the bottom and tap Apps. See the image below:

App Update 8 — Selecting the Apps option

9. Tap App Store (not the Apple Store). See the following image:

10. Under the Automatic Downloads section, toggle ON for App Downloads, App Updates, and In-App Content. The three toggles will turn green. Now, all your apps will begin downloading their updates in the background. You may now exit Settings.

App Update 10 — Toggle the three Automatic Downloads options to ON

To us, this is by far the most convenient way to keep your apps up to date.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road.

– Stewart Brand

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Using Face ID for Easy App Logins on iPhone

Face ID on the iPhone allows users to unlock apps quickly without entering a passcode, enhancing convenience for secure logins, especially for financial applications. Users can enable Face ID for specific apps through the Settings menu. The information is accurate as of July 2026, but may change with technology updates.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
July 7, 2026 – 4 minutes read time

Overview

Face ID can be used to unlock apps on the iPhone. For example, when we open our Messenger app, Face ID quickly identifies me and lets us in. This saves us from needing to enter the passcode.

Whether Face ID works with an app depends on the app’s developers and what they have programmed it to do. You will most often find Face ID as a login option for financial, banking, or password manager apps. Fortunately, by following the steps below, you can easily see which of your installed apps work with Face ID and enable Face ID for each app if you choose to. Keep in mind that you will need to enable Face ID in Settings before following these steps! Let’s explore how to enable Face ID for apps on iPhone to make logins easier.

Key Takeaways

Save time by using Face ID instead of entering a passcode.
Avoid having to remember a unique passcode each time you log in to a secure app.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Adding Face ID for an iPhone App

1. Open the Settings app, and select Face ID & Passcode. Refer to the image below:

Faceid 1 — Selecting Face ID & Passcode option

2, Enter your iPhone passcode and select Other Apps. See the below image:

3. Green toggles show you which apps have Face ID enabled. See the following image:

4. A gray toggle means Face ID is disabled. Tap the toggle to change it to green and enable Face ID for that app. Refer to the image below:

5.You can natively lock apps on your iPhone using Face ID. Just touch and hold an app icon, tap Require Face ID, and confirm. See the image below:

Note! This will not add the app to the Other Apps list.

Faceid 5 — Selecting the Require Face ID option

6. To undo, touch and hold an app icon then tap Don’t Require Face ID.

Note! If you select your Photos app to require Face ID, your Camera app will not show your photos or videos.

That’s how to turn Face ID on for your apps. Now, when you open an enabled app, you can sign in with Face ID instead of entering a password or passcode each time. You can come back and add an app to Face ID if you download another Face ID available app.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

Technology is dominated by two types of people: those who understand what they do not manage and those who manage what they do not understand.

– Archibald Putt

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Unlocking the Power of Visual Look Up on iPhone

Apple’s new Visual Look Up feature allows iPhone users to search for images across various apps. Users can highlight screenshots to find similar images and ask ChatGPT about them. This feature, available on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and later models running iOS 26, aims to enhance visual intelligence capabilities.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
June 30, 2026 – 4 minutes read time

Overview

Here’s a new Apple visual intelligence feature you will not want to miss; you can now use Visual Look Up to search images on your iPhone screen across apps.

What can you do with Apple Visual Intelligence? More than ever before! The latest visual intelligence feature is the ability to look up items on your iPhone screen across a variety of apps. Let’s explore how to use this new Apple Visual Intelligence feature.

Key Takeaways

Highlight objects in a screenshot and use visual intelligence to find similar images online.
Ask ChatGPT questions about images on your iPhone screen.
Search supported apps like Google and Etsy to find similar products to the image on your iPhone screen.

System Requirements

This tip was tested on an iPhone 17 Pro. You will need an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 or later running iOS 26 or later for this tip to work.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Using Visual Intelligence

First, take a screenshot of an image that interests you on your iPhone. This can be anything you are interested in. Refer to the image below:

Next, use your finger to circle or scribble over the part of the screenshot you want to learn about. That area will glow with animation. See the image below:

Now, tap the Ask button. See the following image:

Next, type a question, then tap the Send button. Or, you can simply wait for Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT to give you general information about the image. Refer to the image below:

Now, wait a moment, and the ChatGPT results will appear onscreen. See the image below:

Next, from your screenshot, you can also swipe up to see the image search results. You can tap images from sites to purchase the item or learn more. See the following image:

In the future, Apple promises that you will also be able to see results directly from apps like Etsy and Pinterest here, but that feature is not available as of this writing.

We found this feature cumbersome and frustrating to use. Anyway, that’s how to use Apple Visual Intelligence to look up an on-screen image.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

The role of the artist today is to defend feeling against the machine.

– Marty Rubin

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How to Identify Songs with Siri and Shazam

Siri can now identify ambient music using the Shazam app by simply asking, “Hey Siri, what song is this?” Users can easily purchase recognized songs from Apple Music. Ensure your device runs iOS 26.5 or greater for compatibility. This feature enhances music discovery and purchasing convenience for users.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
June 23, 2026 – 4 minutes read time

Overview

Ever listen to the radio and wonder what band recorded it, or the name of the song? Siri can help! In the past, you could ask Siri to identify music playing on your device; now, you can ask Siri to identify any ambient music. And, conveniently, Siri makes it easy to purchase the song or album.

Be sure Siri is setup before trying these steps, or this tip will not work. To set up and activate Siri, click here.

Also: A lot of people want to know how to find a song by humming. We tried humming a couple of songs using the “Hey Siri, what song is this?” feature, but they were not recognized.

When you hear a song you want identified, you can ask, “Hey Siri, what song is this?”, “Siri, what song is playing?”, or “Hey Siri, who sings this song?” Siri responds with “Hang on, let me listen….” Then, Siri uses the Shazam music recognition app to find the artist and song title, as well as an image from the album cover, and the option to purchase the song from Apple Music.

Key Takeaways

Use the Shazam music recognition app via Siri to recognize music hands-free.
Say, “Hey Siri, what song is this?” and get an answer almost every time.
Purchase the song Siri recognized from Apple Music to add it to your library.

System Requirements

This tip was tested on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5. For this tip to work, you must be running iOS 26.5 or greater!

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Using Siri to Identify a Song

First, after you ask Siri what song is playing, you will see the Rainbow circle indicating Siri is listening, and “Hang on, let me listen…” (or “Listening…” or something similar) somewhere on your screen. Refer to the image below:

Siri 1 — Siri is going to listen for the song

Next, you will see the Shazam icon and “Listening… “ at the top of the screen. See the image below:

Siri 2 — Siri is now listening to the song

Now, if Siri was able to recognize your song, you will see the title, artist(s), and an Apple Music icon at the top of the page. See the following image:

Next, tap the Apple Music icon to purchase the song. Refer to the image below::

Now you know how to use the “Hey Siri, what song is this?” feature to identify music. You know, sometimes Apple provides us with neat features!

Disclaimer

TexTechnology is constantly evolving, and smartphone and desktop tech rarely remains static. Therefore, the information in this post is only accurate as of the date it was written. Blog posts that are older than six months may contain instructions that are no longer compatible with your device or operating system. We hope that the content from previous posts continues to function as intended. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life, where technology works for you.t

Quote for the Day

We now expect more from technology and less from each other.

– Sherry Turkle

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Author’s eBook

The author’s Vietnam eBook, “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath,” is available on Kindle devices and the Kindle App for desktop, laptop, and smartphone. The apps are free.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Use Siri to Control Your iPhone Flashlight

This post discusses how to quickly activate and deactivate your iPhone’s flashlight using Siri voice commands, beneficial when hands are occupied. It suggests enabling “Hey, Siri” for easier access and adds a fun feature of using Harry Potter spells. Troubleshooting tips for Siri responsiveness are also included.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
June 16, 2026 –4 minutes read time

Overview

There are many ways to turn on your phone’s flashlight, but the quickest way to do it without touching your screen is by using the iPhone flashlight voice command. Siri can turn your flashlight on and off, which is great if your hands are full or you are looking for your iPhone in the dark.

In your Siri settings, double-check if you have just Siri or Hey, Siri enabled. We prefer Hey, Siri because it’s harder to accidentally enable Siri that way.

Key Takeaways

Quickly turn your flashlight on and off using just your voice without even touching your phone.

Enjoy the magic of using spells from the Harry Potter franchise to control your iPhone’s flashlight.

Find your phone in the dark by turning on the flashlight using Siri.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.5. You must be running iOS 26,5 or later.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

First, make sure you are within 30 feet of your iPhone and say, “(Hey) Siri, turn on my flashlight.”

Next, Your flashlight will turn on, even if your phone is locked. refer to the image below:

Flashlight 1 — Your iPhone flashlight is on

Now, to turn it off, say “(Hey) Siri, turn off my flashlight.”

Note! Keep in mind that you can just say “flashlight” instead of “my flashlight,” and it will work if you phrase it in other ways that your phone understands.

Pro Tip

A fun iPhone Easter egg is that you can say “(Hey) Siri, lumos” to turn your flashlight on and “(Hey) Siri, nox” to turn your flashlight off based on the fictional spells from the popular Harry Potter franchise.

Troubleshooting Tips

If Siri is not responding to your voice, check these two quick settings:

Enable Siri: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri > Always Listen for “Siri” and ensure it is turned on.
Check Content: Ensure your phone is not completely face down, as this can sometimes silence “Hey Siri” detections depending on your settings.

Now you know how to turn your iPhone flashlight on or off using Siri. You can also make your phone’s flashlight flash by pressing and holding the ping iPhone button in your Apple Watch’s Control Center.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

The greatest achievement of humanity is not its works of art, science, or technology, but the recognition of its own dysfunction.

– Eckhart Tolle

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The author’s Vietnam eBook, “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath,” is available on Kindle devices and the Kindle App for desktop, laptop, and smartphone. The apps are free.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Use iPhone’s Built-in QR Code Scanner

The article discusses how iPhone users can easily scan QR codes using a dedicated hidden app called Code Scanner, without needing third-party applications. Instructions for accessing and utilizing the app are provided, along with a caution about potential security risks associated with unknown QR codes.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
June 9, 2026 – 4minutes read time

Overview

Most iPhone users know that their camera can scan QR codes with ease. What many do not know is that your iPhone also has a dedicated QR code scanning app preinstalled.

When QR codes first started to become popular, you needed to download a dedicated QR code scanner app to your iPhone from the App Store. Eventually, Apple built QR code scanning into the Camera app. However, there is also a dedicated QR code scanning app on iOS that’s hidden. Let’s go over how to find and use it.

Key Takeaways

Easily scan and open QR codes in a matter of seconds.

Avoid downloading third-party apps to scan QR codes.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 26.3.1.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Using the Code Scanner

First, on your iPhone Home Screen, swipe down from the center of the screen to open Spotlight Search. Refer to the image below:

QR 1 — Scrolling down to open Spotlight Search

Nexr, type in Code Scanner, and tap the app that appears. See the image below:

Now, when Code Scanner is open, all you need to do is point your phone at a QR code. The scanner is sensitive, so you can be off-center and it will still work. Keep in mind that Code Scanner will automatically open whatever data the QR code contains. See the following image:

QR 3 — Pointing your camera at the QR Code

Next, tou can tap the Flashlight icon to turn on your Camera’s flash to make scanning a QR code in low light easier. Refer to the image below:

QR 4 — Tapping the Flashlight in low light conditions

Now, when you tap the QR code, it will display its own data. See the image below:

Note! Some scammers and hackers use QR codes to spread malware. When scanning a QR code, make sure you know exactly what it does before you scan it. Never scan random QR codes placed in public or sent to you unsolicited in text messages or emails.

That’s how to scan a code with your iPhone using the hidden Code Scanner app! Now you can easily scan QR codes at any time.

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Technology frightens me to death. It’s designed by engineers to impress other engineers. And they always come with instruction booklets that are written by engineers for other engineers – which is why almost no technology ever works.

– John Cleese

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Author’s ebook

author’s ebook

The author’s Vietnam eBook, “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath,” is available on Kindle devices and the Kindle App for desktop, laptop, and smartphone. The apps are free.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

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Setup Auto Restaet

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Receive Notification When Run

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Using Siri to Identify a Song

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