Congratulations on your brand new iPhone 13 Pro Max! Now you’ve given so much money over to Apple, you’re going to want to make the most out of your handset, and we’re here to guide you through some of its best features and how to use them. Now, check out some of the best iPhone 13 Pro Max tips and tricks to unlock the full potential of your new phone.
Some of the tips and tricks we’ve listed apply specifically to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, while others are tied to the iOS 15 update that Apple just pushed out (and so should work on older phones too). Check out the best iPhone 13 Pro Max tips and tricks below.
Best iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks
Here’s a list of the best iPhone 13 Pro Max tips and tricks to try first:
1. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Share items with Siri
One of the best features in iPhone 13 Pro Max, you can share items onscreen like photos, web pages, content from Apple Music or Apple Podcasts, Apple News stories, Maps locations, and more. For example, just say “Send this to Filipe” and Siri will send it. If the item cannot be shared, Siri will offer to send a screenshot instead.
2. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Understand 5G Icons
The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes with improved 5G connectivity over the iPhone 12. That allows for incredible download and upload speeds of up to 4.0 Gbps and 200 Mbps, respectively.
When you’re in an area with 5G coverage for your carrier and your 5G cellular plan has been activated, you’ll see a 5G icon in the status bar of your iPhone 13 Pro Max. There are three different status icons that you may want to keep an eye out on — 5G, 5G , 5GUW, and 5G UC.
5G — Indicated normal 5G network availability.
5G / 5GUW / 5G UC— Indicated faster high-frequency 5G network availability.
3. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Manage Smart Data Mode
5G is great. But it can also reduce your iPhone’s battery life. To address this, Apple has included Smart Data Mode feature on iPhone 13 Pro Max, a functionality that switches between 5G and 4G depending on network activity.
For example, you won’t need 5G while scrolling down your Twitter and Facebook timelines. Smart Data Mode will make your iPhone use 4G in those instances. But if you choose to download a video on Apple TV, your iPhone 13 Pro automatically takes advantage of faster 5G.
To manage Smart Data Mode on your iPhone 13 Pro Max, go to Settings > Cellular > Voice & Data. Select 5G Auto to enable Smart Data Mode or 5G On to disable the functionality — 5G On always uses 5G network when it’s available but it can reduce your iPhone’s battery life.
4. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Restrict 5G
You can use Low Data Mode to reduce Wi-Fi and cellular-data usage by pausing automatic updates and background tasks on your iPhone 12 Pro Max. Go to Settings > Battery to turn it on. Alternatively, you can enable Low Data Mode from the Control Center.
5. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Buy 20W USB-C Power Adapter
The iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn’t come with a charging adapter in the box. There is only one cable included in the box — a USB-C to Lightning cable. Therefore, you need an USB-C charging adapter. Using a USB-C cable and USB-C charging adapter will allow the iPhone to charge at faster speeds. Using USB-C, you can charge the iPhone to 50% in about half an hour. The highest wattage the iPhone 13 Pro Max will use is around 22 watts, so a 20 watt or 30 watt charger will result in the about same charging speed. But basically any USB-C charger will be significantly faster than the old USB-A chargers.
6. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Get a MagSafe Charger
The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a magnetic area on the back of the device, called MagSafe. MagSafe is essentially a better version of Qi as the magnets auto-align with the case. Using the secure magnetic attachment, Apple enables up to 15 watt charging for MagSafe chargers. So for the best wireless charging, choose MagSafe over Qi … but the USB-C cable is still the fastest overall.
7. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Install iOS Updates Over 5G
The 5G connectivity on the iPhone 13 Pro Max unlocks the ability to download iOS updates over 5G. You can enable this by going to Settings > Cellular > Data Mode and select Allow More Data on 5G.
8. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: FaceTime HD Calls
Another advantage of 5G is the ability to perform FaceTime video calls in 1080p HD on your iPhone 13 Pro Max. You can enable this by going to Settings > Cellular > Data Mode and select Allow More Data on 5G to FaceTime in HD over 5G. Alternatively, use WiFi to perform FaceTime HD calls.
9. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: FaceTime Eye Contact
You can complement FaceTime HD on the iPhone 13 Pro Max with Eye Contact to improve your experience with FaceTime video calls. Essentially, the Eye Contact feature augments the FaceTime call to make it look like you are looking at the person, rather than at the screen. You can enable this by going to Settings > FaceTime and enable the toggle next to Eye Contact.
10. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Night Mode for All Cameras
All iPhone 13 Pro Max camera sensors include Night mode feature. This lets you take Night mode shots using the telephoto as well as the ultra-wide camera in low-light scenarios.
11. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: View Image Metadata
The Photos app on the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a much-needed feature with the new iOS 15 software update. It can now display the image metadata or EXIF data for photos shot and stored on your iPhone. To do this, start the Photos app and tap the photo you want to view the metadata for. Next, tap on the info ‘i’ button to view the camera used, lens type, focal length, shutter speed, image resolution, file size,, location and more.
12. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Use iCloud Private Relay
When Private Relay is enabled, all of your browsing activity in Safari will be routed through two internet “hops,” or relays. Your data is encrypted and then sent to Apple, so your ISP can’t see any of your web browsing requests.
Please note: iCloud Private Relay is only available for paid iCloud users. To enable this, go to Settings > iCloud > Private Relay menu.
13. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Drag and Drop Content Across Apps
This iPhone 13 Pro Max trick lets you drag and drop text, photos, links, videos, documents, audio files, PDFs, and more. To do this, simply long-press any image/video/file from one app, open another app, and drop it there. Without lifting your finger off the screen, exit the app and open another app with another finger and drop the content.
This new drag and drop trick for copy/pasting texts, photos, and other files, is pretty useful and makes moving things much faster. It’s just one of the many new features in iOS 15 that has, and will make life easier for many users. You can try it out in your favorite apps to see if it works, but not to worry if it doesn’t. We’re sure most apps will support the feature in due course.
14. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Shoot Videos in Dolby Vision
The iPhone 12 was the first smartphone in the world last year to allow shooting videos in Dolby Vision. However, the non-Pro models were limited to 4K30fps. There’s no such limitation this time around, so if you have the iPhone 13 mini or iPhone 13, you can now shoot stunning 4k60fps Dolby Vision videos and edit them straight off your iPhone.
15. iPhone 13 Pro Max tips and tricks: Use your iPhone’s camera to scan any text
Have you ever wished you could point your iPhone’s camera at a sign or piece of paper and have it automatically identify then copy the text into an email or a document? That’s where Live Text comes in – this new iPhone 13 Pro Max trick lets you scan and copy text from photos and your iPhone camera, even if it’s handwritten. And once you’ve pulled the text, you can paste it into any text field. It’s great for quickly sharing addresses, phone numbers, and anything else you don’t want to type out manually.
To use the iPhone 13 Pro Max new scan text feature, long-press inside a text field as if you are going to use the copy and paste prompt. Only, you’ll now see a Scan Text button. You may also see a button that uses just the scan icon, which looks like a piece of paper with brackets around it.
Tap the button, which will then replace your keyboard with your iPhone camera’s viewfinder. Point your camera at whatever you want to scan, and then follow the prompts on the screen. For instance, if you’re moving the camera too fast, you’ll see a “Slow Down” message flash on the screen.
As you’re lining up the camera and text just right, you’ll see a live preview of the text your iPhone is identifying and ready to place in your document. Tap the Insert button when you’re ready.
16. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Turn Off Night Mode
The iPhone 13 Pro Max will automatically enable Night mode in low-light scenarios for the best possible photos. If you don’t want Night Mode engaged when you’re shooting in low light environments, you can turn it off by tapping the yellow Night Mode button when it appears at the top of the viewfinder. The problem is, when you open the Camera app again and the sensor detects low light, Night Mode will automatically enable itself again. In iOS 15, you can turn off Night Mode and ensure it stays off. Go to Settings -> Camera -> Preserve Settings and enable the Night Mode toggle.
17. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Shoot Macro Photos
The iPhone 13 Pro Max can take ultra close-up photos with a new macro mode. Simply open the camera app and tap on the 0.5X button to use the ultra-wide lens, and the moment you point your iPhone 13 Pro Max towards an up-and-close object (macro mode works from 2cm distance), the phone will automatically know and capture a macro photo.
18. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Record Macro Videos
iPhone 13 Pro Max can now also shoot macro videos! Simply Open the ultra-wide camera. Get your iPhone 13 Pro Max up and close to an object and macro mode will work automatically.
19. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Shoot Cinematic Videos
Cinematic mode is designed to act like a virtual focus puller. Cinematic mode mimics professional videography techniques by adding on-the-fly depth of field effects to recognized subjects. Software algorithms are used to detect and focus on people, pets and objects, which are made to stand out against blurred backgrounds. Be sure to record Cinematic Videos on your iPhone 13 Pro Max if you want to take your videos to the next level.
20. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: AirPlay 4K HDR Content
If you have a second-gen Apple TV or an AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV, you can AirPlay 4K HDR content using your iPhone 13 Pro Max. Once your Mac gets the macOS Monterey support, you’ll also be able to AirPlay videos to it.
21. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Quick Take Videos
To capture a QuickTake video, just press and hold the Shutter button.. Release the button to stop recording. Swipe your finger to the right if you want to switch to video recording completely.
22. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Shoot in Apple ProRAW
ProRAW means you no longer needed an expensive DSLR to capture stunning professional-level pictures — now you can capture them on your iPhone 13 Pro Max.
To use Apple ProRAW, the first thing you need to make sure you do is enable the feature. Here’s how you do that:
Open the Settings app and go to Camera > Formats. Toggle Apple ProRAW on. The next time you go into the Camera app, you should see a button to turn Apple ProRAW on and off.
23. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Get the MagSafe Wallet Case with Find My Support
If you are someone who tends to lose or misplace their iPhone frequently, get the new MagSafe Wallet case from Apple. The case can come in handy if you are unable to track your iPhone directly. You can instead try to locate your wallet case. Alongside the iPhone 13, Apple launched an updated MagSafe Wallet case with Find My functionality built in. That means if you accidentally lose your wallet when it becomes unattached from your iPhone, you can launch the Find My app to locate it as you can with other Apple devices or items attached to your Apple AirTags.
In this case, the MagSafe leather wallet will notify you of the last known location where the wallet was separated from the phone. It will not, however, provide real-time tracking.
24. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Watch Videos in Picture-in-Picture Mode
Picture in Picture lets you watch videos or view FaceTime calls in a corner of your screen while continuing to use other apps. It works on any iOS 15-compatible phone but obviously benefits from the larger screen size of newer phones like the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Most of the major video apps support PiP, as well as browser videos through Safari. Swipe up while watching a video in full-screen mode, and you should see the video show up in a floating PiP pane automatically.
25. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Change Default Browser
The default browser on your iPhone 13 Pro Max can be changed by following a few simple steps. By changing it, any URL or web-based file you tap on will open in your browser of choice, as long as your phone supports it.
To change the default browser on your iPhone 13 Pro Max, open the Settings app and select the app that you want to make the default. Then, tap Default Browser App and specify the app as the default.
26. iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Tricks: Track Your iPhone Even When Switched Off
Thanks to iOS 15, you can now find a lost or missing iPhone 13 Pro Max in Find My — even if it’s powered off or factory reset. This can help you locate a missing iPhone 13 Pro Max that was low on battery power or that may have been turned off by a thief.
Your Favorite iPhone 13 Pro Max Tips and Trick?
So these were some of the best iPhone 13 Pro Max tips and tricks you would love to try today. surely plenty more hidden iPhone 13 Pro Max tips and tricks to discover, so I’ll keep tapping, swiping and noting anything I find. Did we miss out on something important that needs to be added to the list? Which are your favorite iPhone 13 Pro Max tips and tricks? Let me know in the comments section below. Meanwhile, you may want to check our list of 30+ Best iOS 15 Tips and Tricks to help you master your new iPhone better.