iOS 8 Hidden Features Video: Battery Usage By App, Hidden Photos, Siri Hands-Free, and More

Apple released iOS 8 to the public today, giving millions of users their first look at the new operating system. Along with all of the major features, like Continuity, Notification improvements, Messages upgrades, and the introduction of third-party keyboard/Touch ID access, there are also dozens of other minor tweaks and changes that have been introduced in iOS 8, both ahead of the OS's initial launch to developers and across the beta testing period.

Outlined in the video below are some of the most interesting and handy tweaks in iOS 8, including automatic credit card scanning, expanded weather options, quick access to contacts, a hands-free mode for Siri, hidden photos, and more.


We've been collecting and cataloguing minor feature changes to iOS 8 since the first beta was released, documenting the development of new features and providing a one-stop location for all the changes that have largely gone under the radar.

A complete list of all of the hidden features in iOS 8 can be found in our dedicated Hidden Features Roundup, which also serves as a way to see the progress iOS 8 made over the course of the beta testing period.

For example, in beta 4, Apple introduced a Tips app that offers iOS 8 users information about all of the new features in the operating system. Beta 5, meanwhile, added location information to photo collections in the Photos app, and beta 4 saw a Control Center redesign.

We've also compiled a walkthrough of all of the major features introduced with iOS 8, which can be found in our iOS 8 Roundup.


iOS 8 can be downloaded immediately for free. It can be installed on the iPhone 4s and later, 5th-generation iPod touch, iPad 2 and later, and the iPad mini.

Related Forum: iOS 8

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

10 Reasons to Wait for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:12 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...

Top Rated Comments

149 months ago
I know the file isn;t. But the OS needs 4.6GB of my 16(13.6) GB to do an update. I have to delete 30% of everything on my phone just to update...sigh More than slightly annoying.

I've seen at least a dozen of these posts today, but when people ask that Apple increase the base storage from 16 GB everyone is in here swearing up and down they don't need the increased storage.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bpeeps Avatar
149 months ago
Battery usage by app? Oh man, I can't wait for the iPhone 6 threads breaking down battery usage to all of their 400 apps. Is my battery life still good? Angry Birds takes up like 47%!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
149 months ago
Looks like Android now.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ugahairydawgs Avatar
149 months ago
I know the file isn;t. But the OS needs 4.6GB of my 16(13.6) GB to do an update. I have to delete 30% of everything on my phone just to update...sigh More than slightly annoying.

You could update through iTunes if you don't want to delete anything.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AlecZ Avatar
149 months ago
Battery usage by app is something I've always wanted but have forgotten about until now. It's one of the things Android had that iOS should have had before.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
doelcm82 Avatar
149 months ago
Looks like Android now.
It actually looks a lot like iOS 7. But there are many enhancements.

----------

great update.

overall my phone feels a little more "premium" and durable in hand-- also seems to be a little more water-resistant. anyone else notice this?

I missed that. But I'm finding you strangely attractive, all of the sudden. Have you done something with your OS?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)