Apple has done a great job with the iPhone's default settings, but they may not be right for everyone. From customizing lock screen and Control Center shortcuts to changing default apps, make a few tweaks to truly make your new iPhone your own.
1. Mute keyboard clicks
Whether you like the tactile feedback of your iPhone's keyboard or not, the constant sound of each tap is distracting, especially in quiet settings like meetings or at night. Additionally, the clicking sound can be annoying to those around you.
So one of the first things to do after setting up your new iPhone is to mute the keyboard clicks by going to Settings > Sound & Haptics. This is a simple adjustment that makes a big difference to maintaining quiet. You should also turn off other potentially annoying iPhone system sounds, like lock sounds and camera shutter sounds, for an even quieter experience.


2. Change lock screen shortcut
The default lock screen shortcuts on the iPhone – Flashlight and Camera – are certainly useful, but they're not what some people use the most. So many people have swapped them out for commonly used apps. This adjustment allows direct access to these features without having to navigate through apps.
With iOS 18, changing the lock screen shortcut is extremely simple and doesn't require any complicated workarounds like before. All you have to do is press and hold on the lock screen, then select Customize. From there, I can easily swap out the icons for ones I actually use.
3. Turn off iPhone analytics data and personalized ads
Like most technology companies, Apple collects diagnostic and usage data to improve its services. However, many people don't like sharing too much information. One of the things you should do on a new phone is turn it off Analyze & Improve by entering Settings > Privacy & Security. This effectively prevents Apple from collecting daily usage and diagnostic data.
Additionally, it should be turned off Personalized advertisingwhich prevents iPhone from showing ads tailored to activity across apps and websites. These simple changes keep your iPhone from collecting data and give you peace of mind.
4. Increase the auto-lock timer
By default, the auto-lock timer on iPhone is set to 30 seconds, which is too fast for many people's liking. It's annoying when your phone locks too soon after you put it down or stop using it for a moment. In that case, a longer auto-lock timer makes more sense.
The auto-lock timer should be increased by one minute by entering Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-lock. This gives you enough time to complete a task without worrying about your phone locking prematurely. It strikes the perfect balance – long enough for convenience but not so long that there's a risk of unnecessary battery drain (or unauthorized access) if you forget to manually lock it.
5. Customize Control Center
Control Center on iPhone provides quick access to essential settings and features. To make it even more useful, it's a good idea to customize it by adding favorite shortcuts like Apple TV Remote, Shazam, and Notes. This way, you can access the features you need with just a swipe.
It's also a good idea to delete or move shortcuts that you don't often use. For example, if you rarely need the Camera or Timer shortcuts in Control Center, remove them. As for other tools, it's a good idea to move them to another page to keep them organized and make the layout more intuitive.


For added security, Control Center access on the Lock screen should be disabled by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow access when locked and off button Control center. Now, you don't have to worry about someone being able to access those tools without unlocking your phone.


6. Turn off Cellular Backup
Even though iPhone supports 5G, data plans are often limited, so always be careful not to run out while on the go. To avoid unnecessary data plan usage, the option to run backups over cellular data should be turned off in iCloud settings.
Enter Settings > [Tên của bạn] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn off the switch Backup via mobile network. Now, iPhone only backs up iCloud data over Wi-Fi. This helps save data and avoid surprises when paying your bill at the end of the month.
7. Manage Background App Refresh
While enabling Background App Refresh on iPhone is essential to sync data and receive notifications without delay, it is not necessary to enable it for every app. To save battery and reduce data usage, turn this feature off for games, news readers, and other apps you don't use often.
This is very simple. All you have to do is enter Settings > General > Background App Refresh and use the toggle to turn off background app refresh for unnecessary apps.
8. Change default applications
Apple's default apps are fine, but you can use alternative apps that better suit your needs. For example, you can switch from Safari to Chrome as your browser because it syncs seamlessly with Windows 11 computers and other non-Apple devices. This lets you pick up right where you left off, no matter what device you're using.
Another change to make is to make Gmail your default email client. Additionally, many people also prefer using the Chrome password manager over Apple's Passwords app to store their passwords.
Thankfully, iOS makes these adjustments simple. Need to enter Settings > Apps > Default apps and make all these changes in seconds.
9. Turn on Back Tap and AssistiveTouch shortcuts
iOS offers some handy accessibility features that aren't enabled by default, like the Back Tap function. Enable this feature on your iPhone and set Double Tap to lock screen and Triple Tap to take screenshot. This feature is extremely convenient and makes these common tasks much faster.
AssistiveTouch should also be enabled. This feature adds a floating icon on the iPhone screen, making it easy to access some functions that you frequently use. Whether it's quickly activating Siri or restarting your iPhone, this feature streamlines tasks and saves time. Plus, the feature is customizable, so you can adjust based on your usage.
While Apple's default configuration is fine for many people, adjusting these settings to better suit your individual needs really enhances the iPhone experience. Making these changes right from the start ensures your iPhone works exactly how you want it to, right from the start. Of course, everyone's preferences are different, so feel free to explore these options and adjust what works best for you.
You can also refer to some articles about iPhone tips and tricks below: