By Emma Reynolds 
Christmas is just around the corner, and many of us are eagerly anticipating what gifts we’ll receive. If you’re lucky enough to get an iPhone this holiday season, you’re probably already thinking about all the amazing features and apps you’ll get to explore. But before you dive into the world of apps and widgets, it’s important to set up your new iPhone with some time-saving settings that will make your life easier. Here are three essential iOS settings that you should activate now to unlock the full potential of your iPhone.
1. Turn on Auto-Brightness
Have you ever been frustrated when your iPhone’s screen dims or brightens at the wrong time? This can happen in bright sunlight or when you’re in a dark room. To avoid constantly adjusting your screen brightness, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations and turn on Auto-Brightness. This feature uses the ambient light sensor in your iPhone to adjust the screen’s brightness according to your surroundings. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in your daily use.
2. Set Up Touch ID and Face ID
In today’s fast-paced world, we want things to happen in an instant. And thanks to Touch ID and Face ID, unlocking your iPhone has become a seamless experience. These features allow you to unlock your phone with just the touch of your finger or a glance at your face. To set them up, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Passcode. Enabling these features not only saves you time but also adds an extra layer of security to your device.
3. Enable Text Replacement
Do you frequently find yourself typing the same words or phrases over and over again? With Text Replacement, you can save time and effort by creating custom shortcuts for commonly used words or phrases. For example, you can set “omw” to automatically expand to “on my way.” To activate this feature, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and tap the “+” button. You can then enter your shortcut and the corresponding phrase. Next time you type the shortcut, the full phrase will automatically appear.
These three time-saving iOS settings may seem small, but they can make a significant impact on your daily use of your iPhone. By turning on Auto-Brightness, setting up Touch ID and Face ID, and enabling Text Replacement, you’ll have a more seamless and efficient experience with your new device.
Bonus tip: Explore the Hidden Features
Besides these essential settings, there are many other hidden features and shortcuts on your iPhone that can save you time and make your life easier. For example, you can quickly scroll to the top of any webpage or list by tapping the top of the screen. And did you know that you can use two apps at once with the Split View feature on the larger iPhone models? Spend some time exploring and learning about these hidden features in order to fully utilize your iPhone’s capabilities.
With these essential iOS settings and some bonus tips, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking the full potential of your iPhone. So go ahead and enjoy your new device this Christmas. Happy exploring!