Even though Apple devices are less customizable than their Android counterparts, new iPhones and iPads still have dozens of settings to configure. Tackling the most important ones takes only a few minutes if you know where to start. Check our recommendations for the top five most useful settings.

Touch ID

The first thing you must change is iOS’s fingerprint recognition features. When configured properly, this technology does much more than unlock your device. Open the Settings app and then tap Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode if your device supports it) to record several fingerprints and configure what Touch ID can authorize. You can even use it to automatically fill in saved passwords.

Notifications

How embarrassing would it be if someone sent you a private message and it popped up on your iPad’s lock screen where everyone could see it? You can prevent that from happening by opening the Notifications window from within the Settings app. From there, you can change which apps show notifications, where those notifications are displayed, and whether or not you get reminders about unread notifications.

Personalize your Control Center

Swiping down from the top right corner of the screen on an iPad opens what Apple calls the Control Center. This window allows users to access frequently used tools, such as the alarm, camera, flashlight, and others. If you’d like to add or remove Control Center apps, or simply rearrange them, open the Settings app, select Control Center, and Customize Controls.

Make Siri work for you

Apple was the first company to introduce a consumer-grade voice assistant, and they’ve spent years improving it. In addition to pressing and holding the home button to activate your voice assistant, you can also enable the Hey Siri feature. Saying that phrase will activate Siri, regardless of whether or not you press the home button.

Update your Today View

Did you know that swiping your finger to the right from the left edge of your iPad’s screen opens a window packed with personalized information? It’s called the Today View, and although it’s smart enough to create content specific to you, there are several ways to improve it.

Open the Today View, then swipe to the bottom of the list and choose Edit. Similar to Control Center options, this window lets you add, remove, or rearrange what the Today View displays. You can even add page segments generated by non-Apple services and apps.

Don’t fall for the misconception that Apple computers and mobile devices are too rigid to be customized. Every day, countless organizations use them to achieve specific and unique business goals. We know because we’ve seen it happen first hand with our clients! Give us a call today if you’d like our help making similar improvements.

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