There are a lot of ways your life can become easier if you have one of the many available apps that exist for the iPhone, but first you must have the knowledge of how to use them correctly. The basics in the article below will tell you what you need to know to start making every day headache-free.

Do you have a number of background programs running that you want to shut off? Click your home button and this will get rid of them immediately. Look for the app you want to close, and press down on it with your finger. After the icon shakes, press the minus icon to shut down the app.

Don’t go crazy with installing every app you see. The iPhone platform has a lot of free and paid apps. You have to remember that there are the ones that are shady, which means they will use your information in a negative way or stick you with hidden charges.

There is a large dictionary that comes on your iPhone. You can use this reference tool from virtually any app. If you find a word you don’t know, click and hold down on it; a “define” option will appear for your use.

You can change icons on the bottom of your screen when you listen to music. Hit your settings button to select the option to ‘add more icons’. You can get to your favorite songs, genres and artists with personalized icons.

If your iPhone freezes up and does not restart by pressing the “sleep/wake” button, a hard reset will fix the problem. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home key at the same time. This button combo will cause the phone to shut down and restart, which should get your phone back to working order.

After you learn how to take pictures using your volume buttons, try using the headphone cord to snap a shot. Steady your hands, and then press the button located on the cord. Doing so will give you a clear shot without shaking your iPhone.

Shut off any wireless radio functions on your iPhone if you are not using them. Even if you are not using them, they still use battery power. This might mean your Bluetooth, or even the GPS on your iPhone. A good rule of thumb is, if you are not using one of these features, then turn them off to prolong the life of your battery.

There is a simple way to reduce the amount of time you spend typing on your iPhone. When you reach the settings area, head to the “general” area, choose “keyboard” and input your own shortcuts. With this, you may program combinations of long words or phrases that you often type. In the future, this can help you avoid typing them every time.

Adjust the brightness on the screen to save the battery. The brighter the screen, the more quickly power drains away. A darker screen is going to mean a longer time before the phone needs recharging as compared to a brighter one.

When you’re finished typing a sentence on your iPhone, double click the space bar. This automatically puts in a period and will include a space after it. This eliminates the step of shifting to your “123” keypad.

Your iPhone can be used to send valuable pictures to your family and/or friends. There are two different ways you can achieve this. First, save your image and add as an email attachment, or you can upload it to your application on Facebook so everyone can see.

Tap cancel to save an email message. Mail will ask whether you want to cancel the message, save it, or discard it. Send an unfinished message to your drafts by tapping the “save” option. If there is no Draft folder present, one will be automatically created.

Make messaging faster if you use this trick. You don’t have to use a word that the dictionary suggests; you can just tap on the screen in any location in order to dismiss it. You need not close it using the small “x”.

You can take a picture with your iPhone using just one hand. Just frame your picture and tap the volume button marked “+”. There’s no difference in the resulting picture’s quality when you take it this way.

Dry rice can be used to dry an iPhone if it gets wet. Phones are commonly dropped in water from puddles or toilets. Use a paper towel to wipe the phone, then place it in a rice packed bag. Use this as an alternative to a hair dryer. The rice will draw the moisture from your phone overnight.

You won’t need to worry about ending up on the wrong road with the iPhone. There is a maps app integrated into your phone when you purchase it, and it will allow you to check your location wherever you have service. This can help map out anywhere you want to go, whether you are traveling or want to get back home.

To scroll along your contact list, try these three options. Scroll though the list with your finger, tap the letter you wish to land on, or simply press on the list. The last way allows for quick scrolling of the entire list.

Store the iPhone warranty information in a safe area and don’t let a few more dollars persuade you from purchasing insurance for your new phone. Your guarantee and a good insurance should cover everything. Purchase a case to protect your iPhone in order to prevent any major damage if it is dropped.

Is your iPhone simply pestering you with way too many notifications? You can stop them from coming through. Open Settings and select the ‘Notifications’ bar. Review the applications listed below the heading “Notification Center.” Take away anything you do not want to be there. Your battery life will improve.

If you have friends or family who own an iPhone, you might have seen how amazing this device is. To get the most from your iPhone, just make use of all of the great advice you have read here.