Our favorite features hidden in iOS 13

Dark mode. Improvements to protect user privacy. Brand new Maps app. There are a lot of big new features in iOS 13 that we love, but we're just as happy with the small changes that make iPhone use much easier.

We are already after intensive testing of the first beta versions of the new operating system and every now and then we discover new products that can be found almost everywhere in the user interface.

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Here's a list of our favorite iOS 13 changes that Apple didn't show off at WWDC 2019:

Silence unknown numbers

In the Settings app > The phone has a new option that allows you to automatically mute incoming calls from numbers that are not saved in your contacts. When this option is active, Siri watches over incoming calls. In the event that it does not find the phone number that is calling us in Contacts, SMS or e-mail, it will automatically forward the call directly to our voicemail.

Volume indicator draggable

A bit ridiculous even for Apple. For years we have complained about the huge volume indicator popping up in the middle of the screen and covering much of it. Fortunately, our requests were heard. In iOS 13, Apple finally replaced the volume indicator with a smaller horizontal bar in the upper left corner of the display (next to the volume keys).

Just like on Android, we can drag this bar up and down to quickly adjust the volume to our needs.

Automatically closing tabs in Safari

Safari for mobile displays tabs in a vertical list. Sometimes it's hard to deal with closing all tabs. This problem especially affects those users who do not do it regularly. Later, you may find that you have over 100 tabs open that you don't need.

In iOS 13, you can go to Settings > Safari and look for the new Close tabs option in the Bookmarks section. In this menu, you can choose to automatically close your browser tabs after one day, week or month. This is a good way to keep your Safari organized.

Message Search

iMessage Search just got even better in iOS 13. Swipe the list down a bit to bring up the search bar at the top of the screen. After entering the password, you will see contacts, messages, links, photos, locations - anything that matches the word/sentence you entered.

Everything is organized, clear and much more useful than before. In addition, thanks to indexing, the search is almost instantaneous. If you have turned on the iCloud message backup feature, this tool can become really useful for you when you want to find some information from several years ago.

System-wide voice search

Speaking of search, you'll notice that basically every search bar in iOS 13 now has a small microphone on the right side. Spotlight, Messages, Safari tabs (not the URL bar), Mail, Settings... you can use your voice to search within almost the entire operating system.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Control Center

You could always tap the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth icons in Control Center to turn them off or on, but if you want to connect To connect to another Wi-Fi hotspot or Bluetooth device, you need to go to Settings and select the appropriate option.

After updating to iOS 13, you won't have to breed this anymore. Just touch with 3D Touch or long press the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth button to quickly connect to the device of your choice.

Downloading large applications over the mobile network

This is another novelty in the series better late than never. If you want to download particularly large apps or games from the App Store while you are not connected to Wi-Fi, iOS will display a message stating that the app will not be downloaded until you connect to Wi-Fi.

With iOS 13, you can make the most of your hefty data plan. After the update, a new window appeared informing you that the application you want to download weighs more than 200 MB, but you can install it using Wi-Fi or mobile network.

In Settings > iTunes & The App Store can be set iOS to always allow app downloads over cellular, only ask if it weighs more than 200 MB, or always ask.

Scan Documents Directly Into Files

Files got a massive update with iOS 13. Our favorite feature is the ability to scan a document to PDF simply and easily anywhere within the app. You no longer need a dedicated app from the App Store.

Previously, you had to use the Notes app to scan a document, save it as a PDF, and share it where you want to keep it. Many people did not even know about this possibility and used other programs.

From now on, the Files app gives you access to any location - local iPhone/iPad storage, shared folders, iCloud drive and even network drives.

More Haptic Touch functionality

If you have an iPhone 6s or later, you have a 3D Touch compatible screen even if you don't know it. This feature allows you to do many great things like previewing a page or messages without opening them. If you bought a new iPhone XR, you don't have 3D Touch, only Haptic Touch, which is a poor replacement with limited functionality. With it, you can long press on the selected item to get the same function as on a phone with 3D Touch. Unfortunately, Haptic Touch only works in a few places like the lock screen, notifications, and control center. With iOS 13, Haptic Touch will become more usable and allow for greater interaction with the system, which will be similar to that known from 3D Touch.

Safari download location change

Safari's new download manager is similar to the desktop version of the browser. By default, files download to the Downloads folder in iCloud Drive, but you can change the default location to any within your local storage.

Just go to Settings > Safari > General. There you will find options responsible for setting the location where all files downloaded by you will be saved.

Gesture shortcut bar

The long-known "shake to undo" gesture was unintuitive for most iPhone and iPad users, so Apple added some additional gestures. We can call them by moving three fingers on the screen. This will allow us to cut, copy, paste and undo when editing text.

If you're not a fan of swipe gestures, just touch and hold with three fingers anywhere on the screen for a second. You will get a small edit bar with buttons for undo, reprocess, cut, copy and paste.

Saving screenshots to Files

After taking a screenshot, you will notice a new option when you touch it to edit it.

In addition to the ability to save to photos and delete the snapshot, you will find a new function that will allow you to save directly to files. From now on, you can save screenshots directly to a local folder, bypassing the Photos app.

Optimized battery charging

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery health. If you're using iOS 13, you'll notice a new switch for optimal battery charging.

When this option is enabled, your iPhone will know when you usually charge your phone and how much you use it. It will use this information to stop charging your phone at 80 percent if you are not using it. This option is to prevent faster battery drain.

For example, if you always charge your phone overnight, starting around 10:00 p.m., and you happen to plug in your phone at 7:00 p.m. one day, it may stop charging above 80 percent, because it predicts you won't use any more power before plugging it back in to charge a few hours later.

Creating a Memoji in Contacts

If you want to create a Memoji in iOS 12 (with a compatible device), you must first open a new message in Messages, then tap Animoji/Memoji.

There's another way in iOS 13. In Contacts, when you edit a selected contact and then edit that person's photo, you have the option to use Animoji or Memoji. You can also create a brand new avatar from here. This works for both your own contact and any other contact.

Active subscription warnings

If you delete an iOS 13 app that has an active subscription that you purchased from the App Store, you'll receive a warning. It's a cool and useful feature. It is a pity, however, that you will only receive a warning with subscriptions from the App Store.

Removing apps from the update screen

Deleting apps is a bit more convenient in iOS 13. The usual ways still work, but there's a new method that might save you some time. When you open the App Store, you'll notice that the app updates have moved to your account tab.

If you see an app in this list and want to remove it, just swipe the app to the left and you'll see the uninstall option. This works for any app in the list, whether or not an update is already being downloaded.