Every iPhone has a series of hidden Apple apps installed by default, most of which work behind the scenes to perform actions like filtering SMS messages, trusting computers, and processing payments. However, there are a few secret apps that you can access right here and now, but they do require a bit of work to unlock.

Siri is technically an app, just like Setup (which configures the iPhone after a restore), Screen Time (which lets you manage your iPhone’s usage), and Spotlight (aka Search, the search tool on your screen. ‘Home). But you should already know how to access and use them. Truly hidden apps are the ones you might never find if you didn’t know where to look, and these include, but are not limited to the following.

Application 1: Code scanner

The Camera app on your iPhone can scan QR codes with no problem and will let you open the links in Safari if you want. It also works great with App Clip Codes, which will open their corresponding App Clip.

However, there is another QR code scanning tool called “Code Scanner” which automatically opens the links using an in-app browser so you can close the webpage and go straight back to the web page. digitization. Sometimes this will take you to Safari or a third-party app, depending on how the QR code is designed, but the majority of links will just open in Code Scanner.

Code Scanner’s user interface is much more thoughtful than its integration into the Camera app. For example, when you scan an app clip code into Camera, you just get a little banner alert that you can tap to open the app clip. In Code Scanner, it shows neat animation when it scans the App Clip code and then opens the App Clip to the top.

The code reader can be added as a control to your control center, and you can also find it via search from your home screen. You can even ask Siri to “open the code scanner”. However, you won’t see it anywhere on your home screen, in your app library, or in settings.

Application 2: Magnifier

“Magnifier,” an accessibility tool on your iPhone, can be used to zoom in on everyday items like signs on doors or small print on documents to help you see things more clearly (or not. at all). It’s been around since iOS 10, but iOS 14 has really increased its presence, and it even has people detection capabilities now.

Prior to iOS 14, you could only open Magnifier using the accessibility shortcut (a triple-click on your home or side button) or its Control Center button. You can still use these two methods to open Magnifier, but now you can also open it from its app icon on the Home screen (which you need to unlock first), by tapping the back of your iPhone (when configured with Back Tap), via Siri and from a custom shortcut.

In addition to adding these new ways to find Magnifier, iOS 14 also provided the tool with a new interface, hideable controls, a customizable toolbar, improved filter handling, and multi-image shooting. If you haven’t tried Magnifier yet, this is definitely something to dive into as soon as you can so you know how it works when you need it on the go.

Application 3: Print center

Your iPhone is equipped with AirPrint technology, and the app that does all the work is called “Print Center”. Unlike the two apps above, there is no way to open Print Center directly, but you can open it from the app switcher if a print job is queued. or in the process of printing.

To find the Print Center, select “Print” from the share sheet on a document, image, or other printable files, choose your print settings and press “Print.”

Then whenever the printer starts printing, you can open your App Switcher and you will see the Print Center; press it to open it. You’ll see a list of all of your queued print jobs in the app, and you can tap each one to see more details about it or cancel printing. When all print jobs are complete, the order page will simply say “No documents pending”.

Application 4: Diagnostics

If you type the diag: // or diagnostics: // URL scheme in Safari and press OK, you will open the “Diagnostics” application, which Apple uses to read diagnostic data in order to troubleshoot issues that you want. might meet. your iPhone. However, without an Apple ticket number to place after the URL scheme, it won’t do you much good.

There is also another way to open Diagnostics. First, turn off your iPhone and then connect it to a power source. Right after, hold both volume buttons down until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Soon after, Diagnostics will open and you can “Start Diagnostics”. This is similar to the diagnostic tool available on Macs, but it won’t run any tests without Apple asking for it first.

You can press the info (i) button to view your iPhone’s serial number, MEID, and IMEI, but that’s all information easily available in Settings -> General -> About.

Application 5: Field test

There are many secret dial codes that you can play around with on your iPhone, but only one opens a hidden app called “Field Test”. The main reason for using this hidden app is to check your iPhone’s cellular reception strength in digital numbers in dBm (decibel-milliwatts) rather than signal bars in the status bar. To open the Field Test app, type * 3001 # 12345 # * in your Phone app, then press the call button.

Believe it or not, there are more hidden apps than these. When I find more, I’ll be sure to add them to this list. If you know of any, share below so I can add them here!