Top Hidden Features in iOS and macOS That You Should Be Using

One of the more subtle yet important features in iOS is the Emergency SOS function, designed to help users quickly contact emergency services when in danger. 

However, while it’s an essential safety tool, many users have found themselves accidentally triggering it—either by holding down the side button and volume button too long or by pressing the side button five times rapidly. 

These accidental activations can lead to unintended emergency calls, potentially alarming contacts or even dispatching first responders unnecessarily. Fortunately, Apple allows you to modify or disable this function to suit your personal usage patterns. If you’re looking for how to turn off SOS on iPhone, 

simply open the Settings app, scroll down to Emergency SOS, and you’ll see several options. You can toggle off “Call with Hold” and “Call with 5 Presses” to prevent automatic dialing when the physical buttons are pressed in certain combinations. You’ll still have access to the SOS slider from the power-off screen, preserving emergency functionality while avoiding false alarms. 

This adjustment is particularly helpful for people who carry their iPhone in tight pockets, backpacks, or handle it frequently during activities like workouts or travel. Taking a moment to review and configure this setting can improve your iPhone experience and prevent the stress and confusion of unintended emergency calls.

If you’re looking for a detailed walkthrough on how to manage this setting, check out this step-by-step guide: How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone?

1. How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone

Emergency SOS can be lifesaving—but it can also trigger accidentally. Here’s how to regain control:

1. Open Settings → Emergency SOS.
   
2. Disable Call with Side Button to stop accidental calls from button presses.
   
3. Turn off Call with 5‑Click so the SOS won’t activate if you press the side button five times quickly.
   
4. Switch off Auto Call, which initiates calls automatically after a countdown.
   
5. For extra control, disable Countdown Sound to prevent distraction during that countdown.
   

Once those toggles are off, press the side button five times: you’ll see the emergency screen and countdown, but it won’t actually call emergency services. That offers peace of mind—but keep manual SOS available, just in case.

Why disable Emergency SOS?

• Stop accidental 911 calls during hikes, workouts, or crowded places.
  
• Avoid false emergency alerts to contacts and authorities.
  
• Gain full awareness and control of when help is requested.
  

2. How to Check iPhone Location History

iPhones keep a “significant locations” log you can review, clear, or disable:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services.
   
2. Scroll down and tap System Services.
   
3. Open Significant Locations (you may need Touch ID/Face ID).
   
4. You’ll see a history of places you visit frequently, including dates and maps.
   
5. To clear the record, tap Clear History.
   
6. To stop future tracking, toggle Significant Locations off entirely.
   

This feature apps can use to give smarter suggestions—turn it off if you prefer tighter location privacy.

3. Does Apple Pencil Work with iPhone?

Short answer: no. Apple Pencil works only with specific iPad models. Here’s why:

• The Pencil’s pressure and tilt sensitivity need iPad’s hardware.
  
• iPhone screens simply lack the technology to support Apple Pencil features.
  
• For sketching on an iPhone, you’ll need a third-party stylus—like those made by Wacom or Adonit—but experience is more limited compared to iPad.
  

Use your Apple Pencil on iPad and carry a Bluetooth stylus if you want to draw on an iPhone.

4. Does Apple Watch Measure Blood Pressure?

Apple Watch tracks heart rate, ECG, and oxygen saturation—but not blood pressure directly:

• To monitor blood pressure, pair a cuff-style monitor like QardioArm with Apple Health.
  
• Use the Log feature in the Health app to sync readings automatically.
  
• While you can view trends on Apple Watch, precise blood pressure tracking still needs a dedicated cuff.
  

Rumors mention future Watch models getting built-in BP, but for now, auxiliary cuffs are the only reliable route.

5. iPhone Hotspot Keeps Disconnecting – What to Do

Shared hotspot issues can be frustrating. Here’s how to fix them:

1. Go to Settings → Personal Hotspot and enable Maximize Compatibility (iOS 17+).
   
2. Share Wi-Fi password via text to prevent retyping errors.
   
3. On iPhone, set Auto-Lock to Never for hotspot stability.
   
4. On linked devices (Mac, iPad), disable power-saving settings that disconnect idle connections.
   
5. Toggle air‑plane mode on your iPhone to reset its network stack.
   
6. Restart both devices and test again.
   
7. If issues persist, reset network in Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings (this deletes saved Wi-Fi networks, so re-enter any you need).
   

Following this checklist resolves most hotspot dropouts and helps you stay connected.

6. Apple Music Cannot Connect?

When Apple Music won’t stream, apply these targeted fixes:

• Make sure your subscription is active at Settings → your name → Subscriptions.
  
• Turn off VPNs and third‑party firewalls.
  
• Permit streaming over cellular: Settings → Music → Cellular Data, toggle on both Streaming and Downloads.
  
• Force-quit Music, restart the iPhone, and relaunch.
  
• Switch between cellular and Wi‑Fi to isolate network issues.
  
• Logout: Settings → your name → Media & Purchases → Sign Out, then sign back in to refresh access.
  

Still no luck? Contact Apple Support or check Apple’s System Status page.

7. Why Does My iPhone Keep Dimming with Auto‑Brightness Off?

Dimming can happen even if Auto‑Brightness is disabled. Check the following:

• True Tone adapts color temperature (on by default) and may feel like brightness changes.
  
• Night Shift shifts warmth in evenings—disable in Display & Brightness.
  
• Attention Aware Features (if you use Face ID) dim the screen if you aren’t looking directly at it—toggle this off in Face ID & Passcode.
  
• Low Power Mode reduces display performance to preserve battery—switch it off if you need consistent brightness.
  

If dimming continues after these changes, it might be a hardware issue—contact Apple for diagnostic support.

8. How to Check Calculator History on iPhone

iOS Calculator lacks a built-in history log. Here are ways to work around that:

• Swipe down in Control Center to reopen Calculator with your last entry (if Calculator icon appears).
  
• Enable Shake to Undo in Settings to backtrack recent entries.
  
• Use advanced apps (e.g., PCalc, CalcMadeEasy): they maintain full calculation logs and allow copying results.
  
• For everyday use, copy results to Notes or other apps as you calculate to create a manual log.
  

9. How to Delete a Workout on Apple Watch

To remove an accidental or unwanted workout:

1. On iPhone, open Fitness (formerly Activity).
   
2. Tap Summary, then scroll to Show All Data.
   
3. Find and tap the workout you wish to delete.
   
4. Tap Delete Workout, then confirm.
   

Watch the data disappear from both iPhone and Apple Watch—no need to restart or re-pair devices.

10. How to Know if Apple Pencil Is Charging

Track Apple Pencil battery levels with ease:

• 2nd Gen Pencil: attach magnetically to iPad side—popup shows the charge briefly. For a lasting view: go to Settings → Bluetooth, tap “i” next to Apple Pencil.
  
• 1st Gen Pencil: plug into Lightning port—check the Battery widget or Settings → Battery.
  
• For ongoing monitoring, press the widgets menu and add the Batteries widget, which shows Pencil percentage alongside other devices.
  

11. How to See AirDrop History

No official AirDrop history list exists, but you can find traces:

• Look in Photos → Imports to locate shared images.
  
• Search Files → Recents for shared documents.
  
• Navigate through Settings → General → iPhone Storage, locate AirDrop, and delete leftover data if desired.
  

Though not perfect, these methods help identify what arrived recently via AirDrop.

12. Does Apple Watch Need Screen Protector?

Though Apple Watch screens resist scratches, extra protection is available:

• Tempered‑glass protectors: add durable defense with a scratch-resistant surface and maintain clarity.
  
• TPU films: self-heal minor dings, are ultra-thin, and preserve touch sensitivity.
  
• Many attachments also cover the edges to guard dropped Watch edges while maintaining sleekness.
  
• Not everyone needs one—but frequent gym use, manual labor, or outdoor adventure gear might benefit from that extra buffer.
  

13. What Does Emphasized Mean on iPhone?

“Emphasized” on iPhone refers to accessibility improvements for users who need higher contrast or improved readability. These features include:

• Bold Text – thickens fonts across apps.
  
• Button Shapes – highlights actionable buttons.
  
• Larger Text – enhances reading size.
  
• Differentiate Without Color – adds visual cues for UI elements.
  
• Underline Titles – for clearer text navigation.
  

Find all of this under Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size. These small tweaks dramatically help users with visual needs.

14. Deep Dive: Turning Off SOS on iPhone

Since your main keyword is how to turn off sos on iphone, here’s an enhanced breakdown:

Step-by-Step Guide

• Settings → Emergency SOS:
  
  • Toggle off Call with Side Button.
    
  • Disable Call with 5‑Click.
    
  • Turn off Auto Call to stop countdown dial.
    
  • (Optional) silence Countdown Sound.
    
• ** medical ID** will still show if you activate the SOS screen—but no call is placed.
  
• Test it: press side button five times. Screen appears but no call is made.
  

Talk about related concerns:

• Explain accidental calls and the cost to both users and emergency services.
  
• Offer peace of mind while maintaining SOS readiness.
  
• Encourage users to educate family members about how SOS settings are configured.
  

Content suggestions:

• Add screenshots for every step.
  
• Interview quotes: “I kept triggering SOS unknowingly—this saved me from repeated emergency calls,” etc.
  
• Internal link: /how-to-turn-off-sos-on-iphone.
  

15. Layering Content for SEO Value

Use this content structure for best SEO impact:

• Main sections for iPhone, Watch, Pencil, Accessibility tips.
  
• Subheadings with synonyms targeting each phrase.
  
• A “Table of Contents” with anchor links.
  
• Visuals: annotated screenshots of settings menus.
  
• Short list-format summaries at the end of each section for quick scanning.
  

16. More Hidden Tips Worth Mentioning

Live Text in Videos

Pause a clip and tap any text to copy it instantly—works in photos too.

Back Tap Shortcuts

Set double or triple tap to trigger actions under Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap.

Focus Mode Customization

Create custom Focus profiles for Work, Sleep, Fitness. Filter out distractions and select Home Screen pages relevant to each mode.

Low Power Mode for Apps

Set individual apps to Low Power† under Settings → Battery → App battery usage, saving energy long term.

Keyboard Swipe Typing

Swipe to type full words using QuickPath keyboard—faster one-handed on larger iPhones.

Optimized Battery Charging

iPhone learns your daily routine and charges to 80%, finishing to 100% just before you unplug, extending battery lifespan.

17. Including Synonym Keywords Naturally

Here’s how we used your list subtly:

• How to check iPhone location history → linked to “Significant Locations.”
  
• Does Apple Pencil work with iPhone → explained officially not supported.
  
• Does Apple Watch measure blood pressure → clarified via supplemental devices.
  
• iPhone hotspot keeps disconnecting → troubleshooting guide.
  
• Apple Music cannot connect → multiple repair methods.
  
• Why does my iPhone keep dimming with auto‑brightness off → breakdown of dimming features.
  
• How to check calculator history on iPhone → workaround strategies.
  
• How to delete a workout on Apple Watch → step-by-step.
  
• How to know if Apple Pencil is charging → various monitoring methods.
  
• How to see AirDrop history → ways to locate transferred files.
  
• Does Apple Watch need a screen protector → benefits overview.
  
• What Does Emphasized Mean on iPhone? → accessibility explanation.
  

18. Using GEO, AEO, SEO Techniques

• GEO targeting: mention localized examples like Indian languages in SOS, or EU lighting differences in Night Shift.
  
• Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): provide exact step lists, common fixes, short FAQ sections.
  
• Semantic SEO: the synonyms and related phrases are embedded naturally around core topics, without overt keyword stuffing.
  

19. Engagement & Rich Media Suggestions

• Include demo GIFs or short video clips for difficult steps (e.g. toggling SOS off).
  
• Use quotes or mini-interviews: “When that call dropped in a bassy concert, disabling SOS was a lifesaver.”
  
• Provide a mini-FAQ at the bottom addressing common follow‑ups.

Conclusion

You now have a comprehensive guide—instantly useful, packed with hidden settings and practical walkthroughs. It covers your primary keyword how to turn off sos on iphone, while weaving in a broad range of related topics naturally.

This blog post structure—clear headings, rich visuals, deep dives, user engagement prompts—is crafted to serve both readers and search engines. When published on Macswire, it will rank well and help users improve their daily tech habits.

If you’d like help sourcing images, embedding video, or creating the final HTML layout, I’m happy to assist.