Master the basics

1 ARRANGE YOUR APPS

Hold a finger on an app on the Home screen till they all jiggle, then drag and drop to rearrange them. Drag one onto another to create a folder. While dragging one, tap more to add them to your selection.

2 PUT FOLDERS INTO DOCK

This is an especially useful tip on iPad. If you regularly use a lot of apps, be mindful you can place folders — rather than just individual apps — in the Dock, putting whole categories only ever two taps away.

3 GRAB FROM SPOTLIGHT

On iPad only: if you’re not sure where an app resides and you want to file it, grab it from a Spotlight search. Drag the icon, tap Cancel with another finger, and place the app’s icon where you want it.

4 SEARCHABLE APPS

To avoid an app’s contents appearing in Spotlight’s results, go to Settings > Siri & Search, tap the app’s name, and turn off Siri & Suggestions. Don't worry, the app itself still shows up if Show App is turned on.

5 GET MORE CONTROLS

Several of Control Center’s items provide more options when you hold a finger on them (or press firmly on an iPhone with 3D Touch). In Settings > Customize Controls is a larger range of buttons you can add.

6 SET SCREEN LOCK

In Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto–Lock, you can adjust how long it takes before your iPhone or iPad locks and needs your credentials. Avoid Never, unless you’ll remember to manually lock it.

7 QUICK ACTIONS

If your iPhone’s display is 3D Touch compatible, try pressing hard on apps on the Home screen. All will reveal a Share option. Many also provide a number of additional shortcuts to key actions they can perform.

8 LOCATION SERVICES

Battery taking a hammering? Check Settings > Privacy > Location Services. If apps marked Always shouldn’t have constant location access, then revoke it entirely or set to ‘While Using the App’