Tools you didn’t know were built into your iPhone

The iPhone turns 16 this year and is constantly evolving. Here’s what may be coming with iOS 17 later this year.

Whether you’re new to the iPhone or have had one for years, there’s always something new to discover. Check out these tools you’ll use all the time.

Don’t download third-party QR code scanners

Quick Response (QR) codes are a barcode that can be read by a digital device and were first created to track automotive parts. Now you can scan a QR code to get information such as recipes, menus, website links, contact information, coupons and more.

There are many third-party QR scanning apps, but you don’t need one. Your phone’s camera can scan QR codes without additional software. Here’s how:

  • Open the Camera app and point it at a QR code to scan it.

But wait, there’s more! Your iPhone has a hidden Code Scanner app.

If you scan QR codes a few times a week, add Code Scanner to your phone’s Control Center. That’s the list of icons you can quickly access by swiping down from the top of your screen.

  • Open Settings, then scroll down and select Control Center.
  • Tap the plus icon next to Code Scanner if it’s not already in your Control Center.

RELATED: Don’t scan that QR code! Hackers are using them to steal your info and money

See tiny text better

Don’t have your reading glasses handy or need to see something small? The magnifier is there to help! If you don’t see it on your home screen, swipe to the left to get to the App Library and type “magnifier.” Tap and hold the app to move it to your home screen. Here’s how to use it.

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Hidden iPhone features everyone should know

No matter how long you’ve owned your smartphone, there’s always more to learn about it. There are features you will never use, and some you won’t know you need until you find them.

Your iPhone and Apple Watch track various health metrics, from your heart rate to your breathing pattern. Here are five important health indicators to keep an eye on.

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5 hidden health indicators to watch on your iPhone and Apple Watch

A 67-year-old woman in Maine was receiving warnings from her Apple Watch that her heart was in atrial fibrillation. After three nights of warnings, she went to the emergency room and doctors found a tumor in her heart. Here’s what happened next.

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