Introduction

There is absolutely no doubt that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is one of the best products that have ever been churned out by Apple. The design is clean, and it has specs that could make this all the more highly desirable to any person in love with technology. Facial value, indeed isn’t all there is to it. Sure enough, some of the features of Sept are there, but ample of the hidden features of the iPhone 14 Pro Max will drive your user experience to a great extent, way further than your imagination goes.

Now, in this very segment, we’re about to check out seven hidden features of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which you definitely don’t know exist. The following features will blow your mind, from boosts in productivity to safety, hence making life as easy as possible, whether you are an old trooper of Apple or a new entrant into the ecosystem.

1.   What is Back Tap?

Back Tap—one of the most overlooked specs in iPhone 14 Pro Max. First released with iOS 14, it is one of those things that people generally scroll by, pass, and do not really care about because it just brings so much more stuff you can do with a simple tap on the back of your phone.

How It Works

Turn on Back Tap: Settings > Accessibility > Touch. From here, you can select a double or triple tap to do any of the many activities including taking a screenshot, turning on the camera, or even turning on Siri.

How I use Back Tap

I used to scroll through some kind of online forum where I came across this thing called Back Tap. Yes, it did sound like one of those features that are more gimmicky, though setting it up kind of showed quite a lot of assistance now. Instead of trying to capture something on my device’s screen and fumbling with buttons, I just double-tap the back of my device. It’s just one of those tiny new features in the grand scheme of things, but definitely one among things that have made its use smoother for me on a day-to-day basis.

2. ProRAW Photography: Bring Out the Photographer in You

What is Pro RAW?

Now, accompanying Pro RAW, there does come a function to snap multiple shots in RAW file format. This is something that has been holding every photographer’s attention. Compared to standard photos, there’s much more data packed from the sensor inside RAW photos, and there’s a much wider room open for editing.

How to Use Pro RAW

Go to Settings > Camera > Formats, and then toggle the option to enable “Apple ProRAW.” That’s all; the next time you take a picture, the RAW button will be in your camera app.

How It’s Working for Me

Now, for me, Pro RAW is exceptional. I’m just an enthusiast who really enjoys photography. The other week, I took a ride out to the mountain district and was able to take some nice shots of the scenery. Here, one can bring out details, later on, in editing which would have been lost in a normal RAW file. Well, this feature, Pro RAW, now allows one to pull out every kind of depth and flexibility, hence changing photography into a totally different dimension.

3. Focus Mode Application

What does the Focus Mode Application do?

Focus Mode is a stepped-up ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature, where the user will have the chance to set the different types of notifications one wants to receive based on an activity.

How is this so?

To get into this Focus mode, I have to visit the “Settings,” then click on “Flight mode.” From this point, one could make some custom modes used for work, personal, or even sleep. All of those will have their own notions as to what the allowed notifications, apps, and contacts will be.

a.   My Journey with Focus Mode

It’s time to bring out the focus freelance writer in me. Therefore, I made a Focus profile—used for nothing except writing—allowed only by a few apps and contacts to show their notifications. That really hacked out many of the distractions and has genuinely brought my productivity up. Through this, I now do things in half the time they used to take me, just because I am not hit by useless notifications all day.

4. Optimized Battery Charging: Max Out Your Battery Life

What is optimized battery charging?

There are enough concerns for a smartphone user to have. And in the process of doing so, Apple has introduced Optimized Battery Charging. It makes sure the aging of the battery is slowed with the learning of how long it typically is that you take to charge your phone and then holds back to a full charge right until the time when you absolutely need it.

How to Turn it On:

Do this by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and tap Toggle ON.

Experience of My Optimized Battery Charging

I tend to keep them for years, and I always get paranoid about their battery state. So, let me tell you, look at me, lady luck, given my previous experience with the battery status, which has been, so far, well managed by the optimized charging. So, it’s a nice thought to think of an iPhone 14 Pro Max trying to behind-the-scenes control a longer life.

5.Hidden Accessibility Shortcuts

What are Accessibility Shortcuts?

Most of the routine accessibility tweaks are designed to suit people living with any different kind of disability but, at times, end up serving the rest better than just satisfactorily. iPhone 14 Pro Max will enable a user to set his or her accessibility shortcut which will be accessible just right after triple-clicking the side button.

You can turn on your favorite Accessibility Shortcuts by going to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. From there, you should find the following settings that you can turn on: Voiceover, Magnifier, Assistive Touch, and whatever you might have turned on.

How I Use Accessibility Shortcuts

Some may be disabled, but I am not. However, I have been finding Magnifier very useful for day-to-day living—from reading fine prints to getting a closer view of some small thing. The Magnifier invoked by the accessibility shortcut has saved my day. One of those features you ignore until you start using them, then you can’t live without it.

6. Unlock Face ID in the Age of COVID-19

What is Face ID with a Mask?

There is a near certainty that the ongoing pandemic has affected every marvel of modern society. It certainly was not going to let you unlock your phone any differently. Well, now you can, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you are able to turn on the Face ID even if you are wearing a mask.

How to Turn On Face ID with a Mask

To insert or change your alternate appearance, go to Face ID or Passcode under setting, and flick the switch for Face ID with a mask. It will now re-scan your face with the mask on. You can set up a scan of your face with a mask to make your device recognize you properly when you are out in public.

In a city where recommendations to cover up are strong once more, to be able to pay with Face ID out and about in public—it’s a game-changer. In fact, many times, I would invariably key in the passcode on my phone almost every time I left my apartment. Now, my iPhone just instantly knows it’s me, even when half my face is covered. It makes it so easy that doing the other way and going about seems almost unbearable to do.

7. Sound Recognition: The Feature that Can Save a Life

What is Sound Recognition?

Sound Recognition feature allows a user to identify very specific sounds, such as a smoke alarm, a doorbell, or a baby crying, with an option to alert the user.

How to Use Sound Recognition

Turn on Sound Recognition under the Settings app, then Accessibility, then Sound Recognition. Just toggle the switch –– and you will be able to choose which sounds you want your phone to pick up on.

Why the Sound Recognition Feature is Big for Me,

I was up really late one night in my office and had to work a couple of hours longer than usual in order to submit some articles. All of a sudden, my iPhone alerted me that there was a smoke alarm blaring in the other room. In any case, I responded immediately and perhaps avoided what may have been a dangerous moment. You see, the thing is that my phone was able to pick such an important sound and alert me, even if I am going to be busy with something else which in all likelihood will require my attention afterward. That is a feature that is not only convenient but also somewhat substantively a life-saver.

Going further than any flagship smartphone, the iPhone 14 Pro Max isn’t just about the many hidden features that are supposed to make your life not just convenient and safe but also highly productive. Back Tap, Focus Mode, and even potential lifesavers in Sound Recognition have so much under those features’ imaginary hood than meets the eye. Now, keeping all that in mind, let us get into the hidden features of iPhone 14 Pro Max and start unleashing its true potential.

So, for the sake of a few minutes of your life, next time you reach for the phone, you might get to know your new favorite tool, which will shape the way you do things each and every day with your device. After all, technology bites back with a man’s using it, so go do your best with your iPhone 14 Pro Max!