iOS 17 brings a time-saving shortcut that allows you to access search functionality faster by typing instantly in system apps like Photos, TV and Podcasts.
Instead of touching the Search tab in these apps and then having to hit the search field at the top of the screen, you can simply double-tap the search icon.
Doing so will immediately select the search field and bring up the onscreen keyboard, allowing you to type instantly after double-tapping the Search tab. Apple should bering this convenient, time-saving shortcut to its other apps.
iOS 17: Double-tap the Search tab to type instantly
Designer Hidde Collee shared this on X, saying double-tapping the search icon to type is “now supported in most system apps like TV, Podcasts and Photos in iOS 17.”
I’m on the latest iOS 17 beta and can confirm that this shortcut works in the Photos, TV and Podcasts apps. It doesn’t seem to work automatically in any app which offers search functionality via a dedicated Search tab. For example, in iOS 17’s App Store, double-tapping the Search tab did nothing for me.
Apple is still testing iOS 17 so there’s time to implement this shortcut in the App Store and other system apps. Watch this space as we’ll keep you informed.
Other cool features in iOS 17
iOS 17 doesn’t bring many tentpole new features, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to look forward to. Quite the contrary, the update is full of little touches, under-the-hood tweaks and quality-of-life improvements.
In the Photos app, for example, you can search for specific sounds in videos and live photos. And the Camera app has a hidden level to help align your shots perfectly.
iOS 17 and other upcoming Apple operating system updates are still being tested. With a few weeks left until the iPhone 15 launch, iOS 17 will launch publicly in the fall, most likely a week before the rumored September 12 event.
But you don’t need to be on iOS 17 to take advantage of the little gems in iOS.
Three cool iPhone shortcuts
In iOS 16 and earlier, you can quickly jump to the bottom of a list in apps like Photos, Safari, Mail and more. You can also scroll faster on an iPhone and iPad by holding the system scroller for a moment and then dragging it up or down.
Take your time scrolling down. Then save time returning to the top.
You can tap the top of your screen to return to the top of the page in apps like Photos, Safari, Mail, and more. pic.twitter.com/vmxT55IT12
— Apple Support (@AppleSupport) March 2, 2023
And you’re probably familiar with the widely used shortcut where you touch the top of the screen to return to the top of the page in Safari and other apps.