How to upgrade standard iPhone features

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This can be done without jailbreak. You just need to find special applications in the App Store.

IPhone users are used to the fact that standard applications are limited to a certain set of functions. For example, in "Photos" there are only nine ordinary filters, markup and the ability to crop pictures.

But the developers of mobile applications are sure that the owners of the iPhone deserve more, and therefore they are actively adding extensions to the system functions of iOS to their programs. With them, you can embed new filters in the "Photos" application or add a widget to the call log with user reviews on numbers.

We are talking about mobile applications that can make your iPhone more productive.

What are extensions and how they work

Extension is a synonym for feature. The fact that the user receives a bonus to the basic functionality of the mobile application. For example, a translator can contain an extension that can translate texts on any web page in Safari. Or, the Photo Editor extension allows you to apply filters to pictures directly in Photos without launching the application itself. This connection between standard and third-party programs is called an extension.

Not all applications have such features. Previously, Apple's policy did not allow developers to interfere with iOS system functions. To add new features, many used jailbreak - in other words, they jailbroken the iPhone's firmware. This makes no sense today because Apple introduced the App Extension concept, which allows developers to legally create extensions for native applications.

It got to the point that in the App Store you can find programs that in their essence are just extensions - that is, in the program itself, except for instructions, you will not find anything, but, for example, when editing photos, new filters will appear. This is convenient when the iPhone's memory does not allow storing "heavy" applications.

Useful extensions for standard applications

There are many Safari and Photos extensions available in the App Store today, but the technology is gradually embracing other standard programs. So, relatively recently, the developers have mastered the call log. Lifehacker found the most interesting examples of extensions.

Photo

Most often, extensions are found in mobile photo editing applications. They integrate seamlessly with standard apps, allowing you to apply effects directly to iMessage or Photos.

1. Pick any photo and start editing it.
2. Click on the button with three dots at the top to bring up a menu with extensions.
3. Select an app and filters and effects will open.

Rookie cam

Rookie cam stands out for its functionality. It is integrated with three iOS system applications at once: "Photos", iMessage and "Notification Center". The free version has four filter packs.

You can add a nice glow to your selfie and a bit of daylight and softness to your lunch photo in the Photos app in edit mode. Select any picture, click on the "Edit" button and launch Rookie Cam.

Another Rookie Cam extension allows you to edit photos in iMessage. There are few options here: you can only blur the background or gloss over the elements. Open the extensions menu in any dialog and select Rookie Cam.

Pixelmator

Paid photo editor from the well-known developer of the program of the same name for Mac. In addition to all the charms of Pixelmator, the app lets you edit your photos right in Photos. Dozens of stylish filters, highlights, bokeh effects are just a few of what Pixelmator has to offer.

Flare effects

When you install the extension, go to "Photos" and start editing the picture, the Flare Effects filters will open. There are just over 20 of them: blown film, old photo, Polaroid style and much more. Conveniently, the filters you like can be added to a separate tab.

Safari

Yandex translate

The Yandex. Translator extension allows you to translate web pages in Safari into various languages. To do this, you need to click on the "Share" button and select "Translator" - the page will be automatically translated into Russian. The top bar has a drop-down menu where you can select any of 95 languages.

Application not found

Pocket

The popular Pocket app also contains an extension. With it, you can save pages, videos and articles to your iPhone. Select an article or video on YouTube, and then click on the same Share button. Next - tap on Pocket. The material will be copied from the browser and saved in the application. Pocket has a section called "My List" where all added content is stored. You can read articles without access to the Internet.

By the way, Pocket transfers materials without banner ads. If they prevent you from reading news and longreads, then use this life hack and add articles to the application.

WhatFont

With the WhatFont extension, you can view the font of any text in Safari. To do this, select a word or sentence, and then click on the "Share" button. Select WhatFont from the extensions menu. This way you can quickly identify the font, font family, style, and size. The application is useful for designers, web developers, marketers - all those who work with fonts.

Telephone

Even the call log can provide more information than is included in the standard version. Here are some examples of extension apps.

2 GIS

The 2GIS application has a "Caller ID" function. Turn it on in the phone settings, and the names of the organizations that called you will be displayed in the "Recent" section.

Who is calling

The "Who is Calling" application identifies banks, spammers and collectors during an incoming call, and also adds a widget to the call log with user reviews of numbers. Choose any number, click "Share a contact", click on the application and read the comments about this number.

Application not found

Who Calls

The program recognizes unwanted calls and allows you to block them. Spammers are identified based on user complaints about numbers. The "Recents" also displays information about the caller.

How to search for apps with extensions

When searching in the App Store, you can use the characteristic wording: "extension", extension. By and large, any possible connection between a program and a standard application indicates that the application has an extension.

Today, such features are present in all top applications - Facebook, WhatsApp and others. For example, sending a phone number or a photo to one of your friends on the VKontakte social network is much easier using an extension - you only have to do three taps for this.