3D Touch is a feature on iOS devices that allows users to interact with their screens in new ways. With iOS 10, Apple has expanded the functionality of 3D Touch, making it even more useful and intuitive. From the home screen to the Control Center, 3D Touch can help you get things done faster and more efficiently.

To use 3D Touch on your iOS device, simply press firmly on the screen. Depending on the app or feature you’re using, you may see a menu of options, a preview of content, or a shortcut to a frequently used action. You can adjust the sensitivity of 3D Touch in the Accessibility settings, so it works just the way you want it to. Whether you’re a power user or just getting started with 3D Touch, this guide will show you how to make the most of this innovative feature.

What is 3D Touch?

3D Touch is a feature that was introduced by Apple in 2015 with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. It allows users to interact with their iPhone in a more intuitive and efficient way by using the pressure sensitivity of the screen. By pressing harder on the screen, users can access additional options and shortcuts without having to navigate through menus or open apps.

The technology behind 3D Touch relies on a taptic engine to provide haptic feedback for your touch. All you have to do to trigger this feature is press hard enough on an icon or other element that works with 3D Touch. This pressure sensitivity also enables the Peek and Pop feature, which allows you to preview content without fully opening it.

3D Touch can be used in a variety of ways, from accessing shortcuts on the home screen to previewing emails and messages. It can also be used to control certain features, such as adjusting the intensity of the flashlight or the speed of a video playback. The sensitivity of 3D Touch can be adjusted to suit your preferences, and it can be turned off completely if you prefer not to use it.

In summary, 3D Touch is a powerful and versatile feature that can help you save time and streamline your interactions with your iPhone. With a little practice, you can learn to use it to its full potential and take advantage of all the shortcuts and options it has to offer.

How to Enable 3D Touch

If you have an iPhone 6s or later, you can use 3D Touch to access shortcuts and previews for apps, messages, and more. Here’s how to enable 3D Touch on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Accessibility.
4. Scroll down and tap 3D Touch.
5. Turn on the switch next to 3D Touch.

Once you’ve enabled 3D Touch, you can adjust its sensitivity level by moving the slider. You can also turn on the Haptic Touch feature, which provides haptic feedback when you long-press on the screen instead of using 3D Touch.

Keep in mind that not all apps support 3D Touch, and some may have limited functionality. You can test whether an app supports 3D Touch by pressing and holding on its icon on the home screen. If a menu appears with shortcuts, the app supports 3D Touch.

You can also use 3D Touch to interact with notifications. For example, you can force touch a notification to expand it and view more information. You can also swipe left on a notification to reveal options to manage it.

Overall, 3D Touch can be a useful feature for speeding up your interactions with your iPhone. Give it a try and see how it can improve your workflow!

Using 3D Touch on the Home Screen

One of the most useful features of 3D Touch is the ability to access app shortcuts directly from the home screen. This can save you a lot of time and effort in accessing frequently used app features. Here’s how to use 3D Touch on the home screen:

1. Press firmly on the icon of the app you want to access.
2. A menu of app shortcuts will appear on the screen.
3. Swipe up or down to select the shortcut you want to use.
4. Release your finger to open the shortcut.

The shortcuts available will vary depending on the app and the version of iOS you are using. For example, the Phone app offers shortcuts to recent calls, favorite contacts, and voicemail. The Messages app offers shortcuts to recent conversations, new message, and search.

You can also customize the app shortcuts by adding or removing them. Here’s how:

1. Press firmly on any app icon on the home screen to open the shortcut menu.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and select “Edit Actions”.
3. You can now add or remove shortcuts by tapping the plus or minus icon next to each action.
4. When you’re finished, tap “Done” to save your changes.

In addition to app shortcuts, you can also use 3D Touch on the home screen to access widgets. Widgets are small snippets of information that can be displayed directly on the home screen. Here’s how to access widgets using 3D Touch:

1. Press firmly on an empty space on the home screen.
2. A menu of available widgets will appear on the screen.
3. Swipe left or right to select the widget you want to use.
4. Release your finger to add the widget to the home screen.

You can also customize the widgets by adding or removing them. Here’s how:

1. Press firmly on an empty space on the home screen to open the widget menu.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and select “Edit”.
3. You can now add or remove widgets by tapping the plus or minus icon next to each widget.
4. When you’re finished, tap “Done” to save your changes.

Overall, 3D Touch on the home screen is a powerful feature that can save you time and effort in accessing frequently used app features and widgets. With a little customization, you can tailor the feature to your specific needs and preferences.

Using 3D Touch in Apps

With 3D Touch, you can interact with apps in new and exciting ways. In this section, we’ll cover two of the most common ways to use 3D Touch in apps: Peek and Pop and Quick Actions.

Peek and Pop

Peek and Pop is a feature that allows you to preview content without actually opening it. To use Peek and Pop:

1. Press down firmly on an app icon to bring up the Quick Actions menu.
2. Select the app function you want to use.
3. Without lifting your finger, press down harder to Peek at the content.
4. If you want to open the content, press down even harder to Pop into it.

Peek and Pop is particularly useful for quickly previewing emails, messages, and photos without having to open them fully.

Quick Actions

Quick Actions are shortcuts that allow you to perform common tasks within an app without having to open it fully. To use Quick Actions:

1. Press down firmly on an app icon to bring up the Quick Actions menu.
2. Select the app function you want to use.

Quick Actions can save you time and make it easier to access frequently used app functions. For example, you can use Quick Actions to create a new message, take a photo, or start a new note.

Overall, 3D Touch is a powerful tool that can help you interact with your apps more efficiently. By using Peek and Pop and Quick Actions, you can save time and get more done on your iPhone.

Customizing 3D Touch

Customizing 3D Touch on your iPhone can help you save time and streamline your workflow. Here are some tips on how to customize 3D Touch to your liking:

1. Adjust 3D Touch Sensitivity

You can adjust the sensitivity of 3D Touch on your iPhone to make it more or less responsive to your touch. To do this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > 3D & Haptic Touch. Here, you can choose the sensitivity level that works best for you.

2. Customize 3D Touch Shortcuts

You can customize the shortcuts that appear when you use 3D Touch on an app icon. To do this, go to Settings > Home Screen & Dock > 3D Touch. Here, you can see a list of apps that support 3D Touch. Tap on an app to see the available shortcuts, and then tap on a shortcut to change it.

3. Rearrange 3D Touch Shortcuts

You can also rearrange the order of the 3D Touch shortcuts that appear when you use 3D Touch on an app icon. To do this, go to Settings > Home Screen & Dock > 3D Touch. Tap and hold on a shortcut, and then drag it to a new position.

4. Customize Control Center

You can customize the shortcuts that appear in Control Center when you use 3D Touch on an icon. To do this, go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls. Here, you can add or remove shortcuts, and rearrange them to your liking.

5. Use 3D Touch on Notifications

You can use 3D Touch on notifications to quickly take action without opening the app. For example, you can 3D Touch on a message notification to reply to the message, or 3D Touch on a calendar notification to see more details about the event.

Customizing 3D Touch on your iPhone can help you save time and make your device more efficient. Experiment with these tips to find the settings that work best for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 3D Touch is a powerful feature that can greatly enhance your iPhone experience. With the ability to access shortcuts and previews, you can save time and get more done with fewer taps.

However, it is important to note that not all apps support 3D Touch, so you may not be able to use it in all situations. Additionally, some users may find the feature difficult to use or may not enjoy the pressure-sensitive nature of the technology.

Overall, if you enjoy using shortcuts and want to save time while navigating your iPhone, 3D Touch is definitely worth exploring. With a little practice, you can become a 3D Touch pro and take full advantage of this innovative technology.

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind when using 3D Touch:

• To use 3D Touch, press firmly on the screen to access shortcuts and previews.
• Adjust the sensitivity of 3D Touch to your liking in Settings > General > Accessibility > 3D Touch.
• Not all apps support 3D Touch, so it may not be available in all situations.
• Take advantage of 3D Touch shortcuts to save time and get more done with fewer taps.
• With a little practice, you can become a 3D Touch pro and take full advantage of this innovative technology.