Hidden iOS 7 Features You Should Know About

iOS 7 is packed with a whole lot of hidden features and new tricks that enables you to make the most out of your iOS 7 devices, and in some cases bring back a taste of some of your favorite iOS 6 features. Belo are some hidden features you can try:

Use FaceTime Audio Calls to Save Money

iOS 7 now allows you to make audio-only FaceTime calls by simply tapping the phone icon instead of the video icon in the FaceTime app. You can make FaceTime Audio calls from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, essentially turning the iPad and iPod touch into a phone. Furthermore, FaceTime Audio calls use Wi-Fi or Cellular Data (LTE or 3G), which allows you to save money especially when you use it for international calls.

Close Multiple Apps at the Same Time Through Multitasking

With the new iOS 7, you can see all the apps that you have recently used and it allows you to see what is happening inside an app. In addition, you can quit running apps by tapping the Home button twice and swiping the app you want to quit upwards. Not only that, you can also quit multiple apps using multiple fingers all at the same time.

Block Calls and Messages

In some instances, there will be a need for you to block certain individuals from contacting you. Blocking a contact is now possible with your iOS 7. All you need to do is go to Contacts, then scroll down to the contact you want to block, and then tap Block This Caller to refuse incoming calls, messages (SMS and MMS), and FaceTime calls.

Zoom While Shooting Video

Another hidden iOS 7 camera feature is for video recording, which iPhone 5 users can benefit from. You can now zoom in on your subject while recording a video with a pinch to zoom gesture. To do this, pinch on the video while recording or while setting up your shot.

NOTE: This hidden feature is not available to iPhone 4s and later, as well as on iPad.

Actual Clock on the Clock Icon

The Clock app on the new iOS 7 is now an actual clock with a working second hand and not just a static icon.

Message TimeStamp

With the new iOS 7, you can now see the exact time a message has been sent and received by swiping the screen from right to left.

Delete Messages in Thread

Deleting the entire message thread is straight forward. All you have to do is go to the Messages app, tap Edit and select the thread you want to delete. However, deleting individual messages within the thread is not possible until iOS 7 came about.

To delete individual messages within a thread, go to the Messages app, then open the message thread, and then tap and hold a message until you see the option More. Mark the messages you want to delete, and then tap the small Trash Can icon at the bottom left of your screen.

Use Night Mode in Apple Maps

The iPhone screen glow can be nearly blinding especially when you are driving late at night as you try to use the Maps app. With the new iOS 7, it displays a darker interface at certain times, which is much more pleasing to the eyes when navigating at night.

Access .com Key

One of the things most people miss after upgrading to iOS 7 is the absence of the .com key inside Safari. But do not fret, you can still access the .com key by simply pressing and holding the . (period) key, which will display .com,.net, .org, .us, and .edu keys.

Peek at the Message and Mail List

You can take a peek at the message list by slightly swiping to the right whether you are checking your email on the Mail app or viewing a conversation in iMessage.

Swipe to Go Back to Almost Anywhere

In previous iOS versions, you will need to tap on the back icon or tap in the upper left to go back in Settings and Apple apps. Now with the new iOS 7, all you have to do is swipe in from the left edge of the screen.

This swipe gesture works in iMessages, Settings, Notes and many other apps. When used in Safari, it will go back a page and will go forward a page when swiped in the opposite direction.

Swipe Up to Hide Notifications

When you receive a new notification, you can swipe to the right to open the appropriate app, or swipe up to hide the notification.

Use Compass as a Level

The Compass app can be used as a level tool. Just launch the app to display the familiar dots at the bottom of the screen that indicates a second screen. Swipe from right to left to display the spirit level.

Make Text Size Easier to Read

The new skinnier font in iOS 7 can be very difficult to read for some people. Because of this, Apple has added the Dynamic Type mode that will make the text larger and easier to read on supported apps.

To adjust the setting, go to Settings>General>Text Size. Adjust the text size by moving the slider to your preference. You may also go to Settings>General>Accessibility, then toggle Bold Text to turn it on to make the font bold.

NOTE: Not all apps support the Dynamic Type mode.

Shake to Undo Deleting Email

If you are using the default Mail app to check your emails, it is now easy to restore accidentally deleted emails by simply shaking the iPhone right after deleting the message. This gesture will bring back the email to your Inbox. This hidden feature is similar to the Shake to Undo typing option to clear out what you have typed in the text box.

Create Custom Vibrations for Contacts

With the new iOS 7, you can now create a custom vibration for your contacts that can be used for phone calls and messages. This is a handy feature to help you identify the caller or sender of the message without having to take out your phone, especially if it is in Silent mode.

To create custom vibrations, go to Settings>Sounds>Ringtone>Vibration>Custom>Create New Vibration then follow the on-screen instructions.

Teach Siri a Lesson

The new iOS 7 allows you to correct Siri's pronunciation by simply saying "Siri that's not how you pronounce that." Siri will then ask you to say it again to better pronounce the word.

Control Your iOS Device Through Head Gestures

iOS 7 can use the front-facing camera to detect head movements to control your device.

To control your iOS device through head gestures, go to Settings>General>Accessibility. Toggle Switch Control to on, then tap Switches to add physical gestures to control your iOS device.

Create Calendar Events Within the Messages App

With iOS 7, you can now create a calendar event while in Messages app. Just tap on the underlined text within the message and select Create Event.