Here’s how you can improve your iPhone searches with Spotlight by taking advantage of these simple tricks.
Spotlight is one of the most useful features available on any iPhone. We are talking about a powerful search engine always accessible from the home screen of iOS, which allows you to search the Internet or mobile phone content to solve mathematical equations or give quick answers using Siri technology.
In general, there are many secret Spotlight searches that can be done at any time and can make your life easier depending on the time. However, the truth is that you may not be taking full advantage of Spotlight search on your iPhone, which is why we are going to show you 8 of the best tricks for this that the vast majority of iOS users ignore.
Top 8 Tricks You Can Use to Improve Spotlight Search on Your iPhone
As we mentioned, although iPhone Spotlight search is one of the most useful functions available in iOS, the truth is that you may not be getting the full potential it has. Here are some of the best tricks you can use.
Go to Spotlight search
iOS 16 adds new ways to access iPhone Spotlight search
With the arrival of iOS 16, have been implemented new ways to access Spotlight search. Until now, it was only accessible by swiping up and down on the operating system’s home screen. Yet now this same gesture can also be applied on lock screen to enter the search even faster if necessary, although the search results are reduced in the event that the mobile has not been unlocked.
Yet now there is an even faster way to access it: with the dedicated button on the home screen. At the bottom, where indicators of available application windows are sometimes displayed, now also a “Search” icon appears which, when pressed, allows you to enter the iPhone’s Spotlight search in a more agile way. You can also remove the Search button in case you don’t like it, but it can be very useful on occasion.
Search deeper than it seems
Besides the typical search results for web pages, apps, or documents, the truth is that Spotlight search can go much further. With a simple search you will get results from applications such as Mail, Messages or Photosso you will have all the emails, messages and photos related to what you are looking for.
In fact, this function goes even further by being compatible with third-party apps. So if, for example, instead of using the traditional iPhone Photos app, you regularly use another such as Google Photos, the image results will also be displayed without you having to do anything. It also solves simple mathematical operations.
Program timers directly from Spotlight
By searching for “timer”, you can start a countdown directly from the Spotlight browser on the iPhone
Another useful feature of Spotlight search is that it directly lets you set timers. Enough with write “timer” in the search field and automatically the option “Start timer” will appear. When you tap it, a new pop-up will appear that lets you quickly set its duration, and when you tap “Start”, the corresponding countdown begins.
Direct access to shortcuts
By simply searching for the name of any shortcut you have created on your iPhone, you will be able to enable it or run it directly from Spotlight search. If you write the name as it is, it will appear as the best match and with a single tap you can access it. Whereas if you write only a part, it will be displayed among the results.
In all cases, you will be able to identify that it is a shortcut since next to it the sign of the three layers will be displayed corresponding to the application of Shortcuts. Don’t forget that you can also launch any shortcut directly by asking Siri, which is especially useful when you’re in a rush.
Do not allow photos to appear in search results
You can hide photos displayed in iPhone Spotlight search results
We previously commented that Spotlight search on the iPhone is quite comprehensive, to the point that allows you to obtain photographs following the research to be carried out. However, the truth is that while this is something that many users find useful, others may also think the opposite and prefer to prevent photos from showing in Spotlight search results for greater privacy.
If you want, just go to Settings > Photos > Siri & Search, and uncheck the option “Show content in search”, you can prevent your cell phone from displaying photos as a result of searches you perform. If you need to, you can continue to perform this function from the iPhone Photos app itself.
Hide Siri Suggestions
When accessing Spotlight search, as a rule, calls are displayed at the top Siri Suggestionswhich are applications or accesses that could be useful depending on the actions performed previously. If you’d rather not show them, just go to Settings > Siri & Search and uncheck the “Show Suggestions” option.. Nothing will show up until you start typing.
Remove apps from search results
Finally, just as it is possible to hide apps on the iPhone so that they do not appear on the home screen, you also have the possibility to prevent them from being displayed as search results via Spotlight. To do this you will only have to enter Settings and, then, scroll down until you find the page dedicated to the application in question. You can then access the “Siri and Search” section of it and, by disabling the “Show app in search” optionthis will prevent it from being displayed.
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