9 Default Settings I Changed Right After Getting a New iPhone

Apple does a great job with iPhone default settings, but they aren’t one size fits all. From customizing the Lock Screen and Control Center shortcuts to changing the default apps, I made several tweaks to really make my new iPhone look great.

1

Mute keyboard clicks

While I love the tactile feedback of the keyboard on my iPhone, the constant sound of each tap is distracting—especially in quiet settings like meetings or at night. In addition, the clicking noise can be annoying to those around me.

So one of the first things I did after setting up my new iPhone was silence those keyboard clicks by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics. It’s a simple adjustment that makes a big difference in maintaining peace and quiet. I also disabled other potentials annoying iPhone system soundssuch as the lock sound and the camera shutter, for an even quieter experience.

2

Change lock screen shortcuts

The default shortcuts of the Lock Screen on the iPhone – Flashlight and Camera – are undoubtedly useful, but I don’t know what I use most. So I swapped it out for ChatGPT Voice and the QR Code Scanner, both of which I use frequently. I like how it lets me jump right into these features without the hassle of navigating through apps.

With iOS 18, changing the lock screen shortcuts is super simple and doesn’t require complicated solutions like before. All I had to do was press and hold on the Lock Screen, then select Personalize. From there, I could easily swap out the icons for the ones I use.

3

Turn off Analytics for iPhone and personalized ads

Like most technology companies, Apple collects diagnostic and usage data to improve its services. However, I’m not a fan of sharing so much information. One of the things I did on my new phone was turn it off Analysis and Improvement directing to Settings > Privacy & Security. This effectively prevents Apple from collecting diagnostic and daily usage data.

Also, I turned it off Personalized adswhich prevents my iPhone from showing ads tailored to my activity in apps and websites. These simple changes keep the iPhone from collecting my data and give me more peace of mind.

4

Increase the Auto-Lock Timer

By default, the auto-lock timer on iPhones is set to 30 seconds, which is too fast for my liking. I find it annoying when my phone shuts down so quickly after I set it up or stop using it for a moment. To me, a longer Auto-Lock timer makes more sense.

I increased the Auto-Lock timer to one minute by going to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. This gives me enough time to complete a task without my phone locking prematurely. It strikes the perfect balance – long enough to be convenient, but not so long that you risk unnecessary battery drain (or unauthorized access) if I forget to manually close it.

5

Customize the Control Center

U Control Center on iPhone providing quick access to essential settings and functions. To make it even more useful, I customized it by adding my favorite shortcuts like the Apple TV Remote, Shazamand Notes. That way, I can access the functions I need with just one swipe.

I also deleted or moved shortcuts that I don’t use often. For example, since you rarely need the Camera o Timer shortcut in the Control Center, I deleted it. For other tools, I changed them to a different page to declutter and make the layout more intuitive.

To enhance security, I also disabled access to the Control Center on the Lock Screen by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow access when locked and turn off the Control center toggle. Now, I don’t have to worry about someone accessing those tools without unlocking my phone.

6

Disable backup on cellular

Even though my iPhone supports 5G, I have a limited data plan, so I’m always wary of running out while on the go. To prevent unnecessary use of my data plan, I disabled the option to perform backups on cellular data in the iCloud settings.

I head to Settings> [My Name] > iCloud > Backup iCloud and disabled the Backup Over Cellular toggle. Now, my iPhone only backs up iCloud data over Wi-Fi. This helps me save data and avoid surprises on my bill at the end of the month.

7

Manage background app refresh

While keeping Background App Refresh enabled on my iPhone it is essential to synchronize data and receive notifications without delay, I do not need to activate it for each app. To conserve battery and reduce data usage, I turn it off for games, newsreaders, and other apps I don’t use often.

This was simple. All he had to do was head Settings > General > Background App Refresh and use the toggles to disable Background App Refresh for unnecessary apps.

8

Change default apps

Apple’s default apps are fine, but I prefer to use alternatives that better suit my needs. For example, I switched from Safari to Chrome as my browser because it syncs perfectly with my Windows 11 desktop and other non-Apple devices. This allows me to pick up right where I left off, no matter what device I’m using.

Another change I made is to set Gmail as my default email app. Also, I prefer Chrome’s password manager to Apple’s password app for storing my passwords, so I set this as my default password manager.

Fortunately, iOS makes these adjustments simple. I went alone Settings > Apps > Default Appsand made all these changes in seconds.

9

Enable Back Tap and AssistiveTouch Shortcuts

iOS offers some handy accessibility features that aren’t enabled by default, such as Back Tap functionality. I enabled it on my iPhone and set it to Double Tap to lock the screen and Triple Tap to take a screenshot. It’s incredibly convenient and makes these common tasks much faster.

I also enabled AssistiveTouch. This feature add a floating icon on my iPhone screenit provides easy access to many features that I use regularly. Whether it’s quickly activating Siri or restarting my iPhone, it simplifies tasks and saves time. In addition, it is customizable, so I can adjust it according to my use.

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While Apple’s out-of-the-box configuration works for many, I’ve found that tweaking these settings to better suit my needs really enhances the iPhone experience. Making these changes first ensures that my iPhone works exactly the way I 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.