iPhone 15, Pro and Pro Max: Tips and Tricks.

18 January 2024

Amy Carding

Updated: November 2024

Have you treated yourself to the iPhone 15? Want to learn how you can use the iPhone 15's new features to personalise your phone and get the best experience possible? Of course you do. Read on to find out more.

Also, keep an eye out for our upcoming iPhone 16 camera tricks and tips guide, coming soon. It’s worth noting that the latest handset uses many of the same features and settings as the iPhone 15, so you’ll likely be able to use most of these even if you have the newer device.

The Action Button

Apple has replaced the physical mute switch of previous models with a new, customisable button on the side of your device. You can choose which function you want the Action button to perform, making it really convenient.

To decide which command you want the button to perform, go to Settings > Action Button. A zoomed-in image of the button will appear and you can scroll left to right to choose your preferred action.

⭐️ Don’t forget, you can get iPhone 15 insurance in three minutes with Protect Your Bubble.* We've got over 15,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and counting.** ⭐️

Some commands have multiple options. For example, if you set it to open the camera, you can choose which camera it opens, perfect for quick selfies or capturing moments.

One of the more exciting features is using the Action button with Shortcuts. You can set it to show all your Shortcuts or just your favourites, giving you a quick-access menu when pressed.

If you prefer, you can still use it as a traditional mute switch. But if you want more flexibility, Apple has you covered.

Add Portrait Mode Background Effect to Standard Photos

With previous iPhones, you could only apply portrait-style background blur when taking the photo. With the iPhone 15, you can add this effect afterwards.

To do this, open the Photos app, select your image, then tap Portrait in the top left.

Dynamic Island

Previously only available on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, Dynamic Island is now across the entire iPhone 15 range.

Formerly known as the camera notch, this feature displays background activity and live tasks. It changes size and shape depending on what it’s showing.

You don’t need to set anything up. If you’re using a compatible app, Dynamic Island will appear automatically, even in the background.

For example, when listening to music on AirPods, it shows connection status, battery, and controls. Long-press to expand for options like pause or skip.

There’s currently no option to disable Dynamic Island, and its expansion across the range suggests it’s here to stay.

Standby Mode

StandBy mode lets your phone remain useful even when not actively in use by displaying widgets, photos, or clocks.

To activate it, connect your iPhone to a charger and place it on its side. Press the side button, then swipe to explore options.

It can turn your phone into a bedside clock. Night Mode reduces brightness and adds a red tint for better sleep. Enable it via Settings > StandBy > Night Mode.

You can customise what’s displayed and even set different views based on location if using multiple MagSafe chargers.

To turn StandBy off, go to Settings > StandBy and toggle it off.

USB-C

One of the most talked-about changes is USB-C, which enables faster data transfer and new capabilities.

You can record 4K video directly to an external hard drive using iPhone 15 Pro models. The drive must support fast write speeds (at least 220MB per second), be formatted as exFAT, and use a USB 3 cable.

Enable this via Settings > Camera > Formats > ProRes, then connect your drive and start recording.

You’ll see recording time estimates and a USB-C indicator when connected.

USB-C also enables reverse charging. Connect smaller Apple devices like AirPods or Apple Watch to share your phone’s battery.

The A17 Pro chip also supports high-end gaming. With a compatible USB-C to HDMI cable, you can even play in 4K on your TV.