We all love a good shortcut. For some reason I always forget about the iPhone Quick Actions Shortcut.
If you press and hold on an app icon on your iPhone, a small menu appears. Apple calls these iPhone Quick Actions, and they’re essentially built-in shortcuts that let you jump straight into common tasks without fully opening the app.
They’ve been around for years, but because they don’t look like buttons or announce themselves, they’re easy to miss. This “press and hold” shortcut is one of those quiet features that can save you a few taps — once you remember it’s there.
Let’s take a look at some of the best iPhone Quick Actions shortcuts.
Best iPhone Quick Actions Shortcut
Some of the most useful iPhone shortcuts are hiding in plain sight. They’ve been there for years, quietly built into your apps, which is probably why they’re so easy to forget.
Camera
The Camera app is one of the best examples of this.
Press and hold the Camera icon and you can jump straight into taking a selfie or recording a video. No opening the app and switching modes — it just drops you exactly where you want to be.
It’s a tiny shortcut, but when you’re trying to grab a quick photo, it feels surprisingly useful.
Notes
Notes might be the one people underestimate the most.
Press and hold the Notes app and you can start a new note, create a checklist, or even scan a document instantly. No digging through menus — it’s all right there.
That “Scan Document” option especially feels like one of those features you forget exists… until the exact moment you need it.
If you enjoy little discoveries like this, I’ve shared even more hidden features in my full guide to getting the most out of the iPhone Notes app.
Maps
Maps is one of those apps where the quick actions feel practical once you notice them.
Press and hold the Maps app and you may see options like Mark My Location, Send My Location, or Search Nearby. The exact shortcuts can vary slightly, which makes it even more interesting to try this on your own phone.
Instead of opening the app and navigating through menus, you can jump straight into something useful.
“Search Nearby” in particular is easy to overlook — but it’s a quick way to find things around you without typing a full address.
Contacts
Contacts doesn’t show a long list of options — but the one it does show is surprisingly useful.
Press and hold the Contacts app and you can jump straight to Create New Contact. Instead of opening the app and tapping around, you’re immediately ready to add someone.
It might not look dramatic, but if you’re standing somewhere quickly trying to save a phone number, that one shortcut makes it feel effortless.
Quick Actions from the Lock Screen
Not all quick actions live on your Home Screen.
When a message notification appears on your Lock Screen, try pressing and holding it. Instead of opening the Messages app, you can often reply right there.
It’s the same gesture — press and hold — but in a different spot. And once you remember it’s there, it feels surprisingly convenient.
If you’re curious about how the Lock Screen has changed in iOS 26, check out my post Why iOS 26 Lock Screens Are Suddenly More Fun
Why iPhone Quick Actions Are Easy to Forget
Features like this are easy to overlook because they don’t demand attention. There’s no button telling you to press and hold — and once we get used to tapping apps the same way every day, we rarely think to try something different.
But sometimes the most useful iPhone shortcuts aren’t hidden in complicated settings. They’re just sitting there, waiting for you to hold your finger down for a second.
Today, try pressing and holding one app you use often. You might rediscover something you forgot was there.
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Gail Kerr
IT Professional and Technical WriterTechnology has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have over 28 years of experience providing computer support in large corporations and small businesses. I went back to school in 2009 to get an Associate Certificate in Technical Writing so I could take my love of tech and become proficient at writing clear and easy to understand documents for people of all levels. I’ve become the go to person for family and friends whenever they have tech questions or challenges.
