This hidden feature will change the way you use your iPhone

This hidden feature will change the manner you lot utilise your iPhone

iphone 13 mini display on in hand with plants in background

(Image credit: Tom'south Guide)

As a new user of iOS 15 after recently picking up an iPhone xiii, I've been discovering loads of subconscious tricks that are making me realize that Apple devices aren't as limited as long-time Android users like myself thought they were.

One such hidden iPhone play a joke on is one that has inverse how I've been using my iPhone — being able to drop photos and files betwixt apps. Rather than copy/pasting photos or documents, you can simply printing and hold on them and swipe them into Messages, Notes, or a bunch of other apps.

Admittedly, it takes a moment to go used to this fox, since it requires 2 hands and a bit of patience at commencement. But it's really piece of cake once you get the hang of it — as demonstrated in our TikTok video beneath. (And if y'all don't follow Tom's Guide on TikTok however, now is your chance.)

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There are some caveats, however. Not all file types are supported, just the nearly pop are — including videos, PDFs, audio files, and text documents. Also, many not-Apple tree apps don't back up dragging and dropping, though major ones such as WhatsApp, Gmail and Telegram piece of work just fine. You can elevate and drop effortlessly betwixt native iOS apps, including Messages, Mail, Files, and Safari.

To effort it for yourself, follow our guide on how to drag files between apps on iPhone.

How to drag files between apps on iPhone

Note: This guide shows how to drag a photo from the Photos app to a new bulletin in the Messages app, though the steps should exist similar when using other files or apps.

1. Locate the file y'all desire to drag and tap and concord on it until information technology becomes a thumbnail, keeping your digit held down on it.

Move the thumbnail toward the top or bottom of the display until it appears to become "detached" from the UI.

iOS 15 Photo app with detached image highlighted — (Prototype credit: Apple tree)

2. With your digit still held down, use a digit on your other manus to swipe upward from the bottom of the display to open up the Home Screen.

Now, open up the app you desire to drag your file into — in this case, Letters.

iOS 15 Home Screen with detached image and Messages app highlighted — (Epitome credit: Apple)

3. Once you're where yous desire to elevate your file, simply release your digit and it will be copied across.

iOS 15 Messages app with copied photo in text field — (Epitome credit: Apple)

And that's it. At present y'all know all about the trick that could change the mode you use your iPhone, y'all may be interested to know that y'all can launch apps past tapping the dorsum of your iPhone.

Also cheque out some of our other guides, including how to become full-screen Caller ID on iOS xv and how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, every bit well as this hidden feature that's a real time-saver for iPhone, Mac and iPad users.

Dale Fox is How-to Editor at Tom's Guide, helping people get the well-nigh out of their technology. He'due south been a tech nerd ever since babyhood, when he used the money from his start job every bit a paperboy to buy a subscription to GamesMaster magazine, and has a whole room at habitation dedicated as a shrine to the endless gadgets he's purchased over the decades. Dale was previously a presenter, reporter and editor in Communist china, where he besides worked every bit a copywriter for OnePlus at its Shenzhen HQ.