Apple released iOS 26 in September, and the update introduced a handful of new features to your iPhone such as call screening and new ringtones. The update also included some improved privacy measures against digital fingerprinting. Everyone can benefit from these advanced privacy measures on their device.

Because we do most things on digital devices these days, we may leave our digital fingerprints everywhere. CNET senior writer Attila Tomaschek told me that digital fingerprints consist of pieces of information about your device and browser, like your IP address, device type and even your screen resolution. He said fingerprints can be used for fraud detection as well as to improve website performance, but they can also be dangerous, which makes this iOS privacy feature so useful.  

"Advertisers can build detailed profiles of users for targeted advertising, and companies may use fingerprinting for price discrimination based on a user's location and other perceived demographics," he said. "Worse yet, an authoritarian government could leverage fingerprinting to surveil its populace, and digital fingerprints can help cybercriminals commit fraud and identity theft."

Companies can also sell these profiles to data brokers, who can take offline information from public records and other sources and attach it to your digital fingerprint. According to the cybersecurity company Avast, brokers could then sell this information to advertisers to target you more effectively.

Apple wrote online that these protections are enabled by default on all browsing. But here's where to find the setting to make sure you're getting the most privacy while using Safari or if you want to adjust the feature.

Note that your digital fingerprint is different from, and not related to, your biometric fingerprint.

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Where to find Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protections

1. Open Settings. 
2. Tap Apps near the bottom of the menu.
3. Tap Safari.
4. Tap Advanced near the bottom of the menu.
5. Tap Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection.

The Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting menu will have three options: Off, Private Browsing and All Browsing. For the most protection, make sure All Browsing is selected -- it's signified by a check mark.

"Advanced Fingerprinting Protection, which was previously limited to Private Browsing, now protects all browsing in Safari," Apple wrote online. "It obscures browser and device data that can be used to create a digital fingerprint of users."

It's important to note that this setting applies only to Safari, so if you use another browser app, you might not get the same level of protection. 

While blocking fingerprinting could help protect your data, there are some downsides to doing so. Tomaschek said fingerprinting can help websites remember your personal settings, so blocking this functionality could lead to a less convenient online experience. If blocking fingerprinting on all browsing is causing you too much of an inconvenience, follow the above steps and tap either Off to fully disable the feature or Private Browsing so it's only enabled when privately browsing.

Why are these protections important now?

Digital privacy and keeping your information secure are always important, but Google changed one of its policies concerning digital fingerprinting in December 2024. 

Google wrote at the time that it was updating its policy around digital fingerprinting for two reasons. First, advances in privacy-enhancing technologies "give people the privacy protections they expect." The company said these advances present "new ways for brands to manage and activate their data safely and securely." 

The second reason Google wrote it was updating its policy is because of the "rise of new ad-supported devices and platforms," like streaming services.

"With this update, we can help businesses, large and small, meet the opportunities of the evolving digital landscape, while meeting user expectations for privacy," Google wrote.

But not everyone was convinced this was a good idea. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office wrote at the time that digital fingerprinting will likely reduce people's choices and control over their data. The office called Google's change "irresponsible," as well as -- quoting Google's own 2019 position on fingerprinting -- "wrong."

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Other ways to combat digital fingerprinting

Tomaschek told me that while a VPN can mask your IP address and use ad and tracker blockers, it's not a comprehensive solution to combating digital fingerprinting. He suggests using a combination of different tactics. That could mean using a privacy-focused browser like the Mullvad Browser or a privacy-focused extension like Privacy Badger from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, in conjunction with a VPN. 

While they can't prevent a company from collecting your digital fingerprint, a data removal service could help remove data that is already out in the wild. So you could use one of those services to remove your data before using a combination of other tools to try to protect your digital fingerprint.

For more on iOS 26, here's my review of the OS, how to reduce the Liquid Glass effects in the update and how to enable call and text screening on your iPhone. You can also check out our iOS 26 cheat sheet.

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03:19

Apple's iOS 26 launched amid quite the buzz, especially since the company shifted gears and did away with iOS 19. From the liquid glass redesign to the new AI-powered features to Siri's glow up, there were quite a bit of updates to unpack. 

Regardless of the features that made major headlines, I'm always more concerned about the lesser-known features most people don't even know are available on their iPhones. These settings are like Apple's tucked-away hidden gems for those curious enough to explore all that the latest update has to offer. 

After a deep dive, here are the 18 best hidden features in iOS 26, I bet you didn't know about. With a couple of small tweaks, you can personalize your iPhone in a way that suits your needs. But who am I kidding? These small changes actually made life a bit easier and more convenient when it comes to using my phone every day. 

Watch this: 26 More Things Hidden in iOS 26

05:27

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1. Change the default snooze duration for your alarm

If you've ever wondered about the seemingly arbitrary 9-minute snooze option on the iPhone, there's history behind it. It's a relic of analog design, when early mechanical alarm clocks couldn't easily be set to 10-minute intervals, so engineers went with a minute less. Digital clocks don't have this limitation, but the tradition stuck.

On iOS 26, you can finally change your snooze length. All you need to do is go to the Clock app, tap on an alarm you have and hit Snooze Duration at the bottom. You can set snooze between 1 and 15 minutes, but the setting only applies to each alarm individually. That means you'll either need to keep reusing the same alarm or adjust the snooze each time you create a new one.

2. Create a custom ringtone

You no longer need GarageBand (or a Mac) to make your own ringtone. In Files, tap an MP3 or M4A that's under 30 seconds, hit the Share button and tap Use as Ringtone. iOS 26 drops it into Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, where you can set it system-wide or assign it to a contact. The same option shows up for Voice Memosvia the share sheet.

3. Copy only a selection of a text message

Messages now lets you highlight and copy just part of a text bubble instead of grabbing the entire thing, which is useful if you're trying to copy a password or code that isn't highlighted. Press and hold on the message, hit Select and then use the selection handles to capture only the section you want. It's especially handy when a long message contains just one snippet you want to paste elsewhere.

4. Visited places in Maps

Maybe you want to remember the Thai food place you tried on vacation or retrace the route from a weekend. Instead of scrolling through your photos or texts to jog your memory, the answer is already in Maps. Apple Maps now keeps a record of the places you've visited, complete with dates and details. Open Maps > Profile icon > Places > Visited Places to see the list. It's private and stored locally on your iPhone, so only you can see it.

5. Battery charge time estimates

When you plug in your iPhone to power, the lock screen now tells you how long it will take your battery to reach 80% and 100%. You'll see "13m to 80%" or "1h 8m to 100%" right above the time and below the battery indicator. You can also go to Settings > Battery to check out this information. It's a simple addition, but it takes the guesswork out of planning quick top-offs before heading out.

6. Adaptive Power Mode

A new option in Settings > Battery > Power Mode introduces Adaptive Power. Instead of choosing between Low Power and Standard, Adaptive adjusts performance and background activity on the fly. If you're streaming music at home, it saves battery. If you're gaming or recording video, it pushes performance. You don't have to think about it -- the phone adapts automatically.

7. Turn photos into 3D Spatial Scenes

In Photos, you'll now find a Spatial Scenes feature, which turns photos into immersive, 3D-like views with subtle motion. Open a photo in the Photos application and look for the Spatial toggle on the top right. With compatible devices, you can tilt and move your iPhone to explore depth and perspective as if you were still standing there.

8. Search screenshots with visual intelligence

In iOS 26, Visual Intelligence kicks in the moment you take a screenshot. As soon as you take a screenshot, tap the thumbnail to open the editor, and you'll see two new buttons: Ask (send the screenshot with a typed question to ChatGPT) and Image Search (send it to Google for visually similar results). 

You can also paint a specific area with your finger to target what you're asking about. Even without those buttons, iOS will surface contextual actions, for example, "Add to Calendar" if your screenshot includes an event or shopping results if it spots a product. Detection happens on-device, but using Ask or Image Search shares the image with the relevant services, so skip them on sensitive screenshots.

9. Apple Music lyric translations

If you listen to songs in other languages, Apple Music can now translate lyrics in real time. Tap the Lyrics view, then hit the new Translate These Lyrics button on the bottom left to see the translated lyrics line up with the music, right underneath the original lyrics. This allows you to enjoy the meaning of the song without losing the rhythm and is perfect for discovering new genres. 

10. Screen incoming calls

The Phone app now supports live call screening. When an unknown number comes in, tap Screen Call and watch a real-time transcript of what the caller says. You can decide whether to answer, decline or let it go to voicemail. It feels like the iPhone borrowed one of Android's best ideas and polished it.

11. Take a photo with your AirPods

AirPods get a new trick: act as a remote shutter button. With the Camera app open, double-tap on an AirPod to snap a photo. It's great for group shots or when your phone is on a tripod across the room.

12. Add backgrounds to your text messages

You can now give a text message thread its own vibe. In iOS 26, you can set a custom conversation background in Messages. All you need to do is open a chat, tap the name/title at the top, choose Backgrounds and then pick a color, gradient, photo or generate one with Image Playground.

13. Edit PDFs with Preview

The Preview app, long a macOS staple, is now integrated into iOS for PDFs. Open a PDF in Files or Mail, tap Markup, and you can highlight text, add notes, sign documents or rearrange pages. No third-party app required.

14. Swipe from the middle of the screen to go back

Apple added a new gesture for smoother navigation. Instead of swiping right only from the left edge of the screen, you can now swipe right from the middle of the screen to go back. It works in Safari, Settings, Mail and other stock apps. Try swiping left-to-right from anywhere in the app window, and you'll move back without having to hug the edge.

15. Check the weather even when you don't have service

iOS 26 brings satellite connectivity to the Weather app, so you can still check conditions even when you're off the grid. If you're hiking in the mountains or traveling through a dead zone, the app will use Apple's satellite system to pull down basic forecasts like temperature, chance of rain and severe weather alerts. You'll see a small satellite icon at the top of the Weather app when it's in use. It obviously won't replace a full connection, but it makes the iPhone far more useful in those no-service moments.

16. Get notified to clean the camera lens

When the Camera app detects glare, haze or smudges on the lens, it'll gently remind you to wipe it clean. You'll see a quick on-screen alert before you take the shot. It's not intrusive, but it can save you from realizing later that your once-in-a-lifetime photo came out cloudy.

17. HDR screenshots

Screenshots now capture in HDR on iOS 26, which means what you save looks much closer to what you actually see on the display. Open a bright photo, take a screenshot, and you'll notice the same vivid highlights and contrast preserved in your Photos library.

18. Passport in Wallet

Wallet will soon support digital passports in some regions. Add it the same way you would a driver's license: Wallet > + > Add Passport. Once set up, you can use it at supported airports and checkpoints. It's not universal yet, but it's the clearest sign that your physical wallet is on borrowed time.

iOS 26's biggest features may get the spotlight, but it's these smaller touches that make using the iPhone feel smoother and more personal. From smarter alarms to immersive photos to practical call screening, the update is full of small wins you'll notice every day. And that's what makes it worth installing.