We’ve covered all sorts of iPhone tricks before, but today we’re going to focus exclusively on Siri. While everyone is likely familiar with standard Siri commands — like checking the weather and sports scores — there are several Siri features that have long been hiding in plain sight. So even though it’s fair to say that Siri now lags behind rivals like Amazon’s Alexa AI, Siri on the iPhone is still a lot more powerful than you probably give it credit for.
Remember where you parked
If you’re at a crowded location, like a mall or a sports arena, finding your way back to your car can sometimes be an exercise in confusion and frustration. Your iPhone, though, can help remember exactly where you parked, saving you a headache in the process.
To use this feature with Siri, simply use the command, “Remember where I parked” and Siri will keep a pin on the map for easy reference. This is one Siri feature I personally use quite often.
Calculate the tip at dinner
If you’re quickly looking to calculate a tip without laboriously pressing digits on the Calculator app, this Siri feature has you covered. Once you beckon Siri, you can issue commands like “What’s 20% of $53.22?” and Siri will spit back an answer.
You can also save yourself some busywork by simply asking Siri “What’s the tip” of a specific dollar amount. Siri will then list out what the tip amount should be depending on if you want to pay 15%, 18%, or 20%.
Use this Siri feature to flip a (virtual) coin
If you’re undecided about something and want the universe to decide for you, Siri can help you out. You can actually use Siri to flip a virtual coin for you. This is an old Siri feature but not one many people know about. As you’d expect, the command is “Siri, flip a coin.”
Siri will then let you know if the coin came up heads or tails.
Find your lost iPhone
This is one of my favorite iPhone tricks, if only because it’s so obvious once you hear it. Now we’ve all been there — you misplace your iPhone. Maybe it’s in between the couch cushions, or maybe it’s buried underneath a stack of papers. Either way, your iPhone is missing but somewhere close by.
If you find yourself in this situation, the “Hey Siri” feature is a godsend. Simply say “Hey Siri, turn on the flashlight” and your iPhone will now light up. Of course, this tip is far more useful in the dark than in daylight.
You can turn “Hey Siri” on by going to Settings > Siri & Search and toggling on the “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” option.
Translate a phrase when traveling abroad
Siri can translate phrases and words into different languages. This is extremely helpful if you’re traveling abroad and aren’t familiar with the native language. For example, you can tell Siri to “Translate ‘Where can I find a bathroom?’ into Spanish” and Siri will do just that. Even better, you can play audio o