Apple debuted 3D Touch on the iPhone back in 2015.
At first, 3D Touch seemed like a gimmick.
Apple itselfmay soon concede this fact.
In the meantime, Ive become an avid 3D Toucher.
3D touch is available on iPhones from the 6s and later, save for the iPhone SE.
Use the toggle to turn 3D Touch on and off.
I find the Medium setting to be ideal.
When its on Firm, its too easy to pop while peeking (Ill explain that shortly).
On Light, its too easy to trigger when Im simply 2D tapping.
Quick Actions are usually shortcuts for acting on a notification or jumping to a specific pane of an app.
Ill list a few of those in a bit.
The other category is Peek and Pop, a way to both preview and act on various items.
To peek, you press hard on an item, say a photo thumbnail or a web link.
Pressing a little harder will pop it, which actually opens it.
Trackpad Mode
One of my favorite 3D Touch features is the trackpad mode for the keyboard.
This works in the default keyboard, as well as some 3rd-party keyboards likeGoogles Gboard.
To use it, press hard on any key on the keyboard.
The keys will go blank as you hold down and start dragging.
Once you get used to the gesture, its a convenient way to maneuver through apps.
Peek Zoom
9to5Mac posted a less-visible 3D Touch featurecalled Peek Zoom.
Try pressing hard on any of the icons, and many of them will offer you additional options.
3D Touch allows you to see and jump tothe apps that have notification badges showing.
Press hard on the folder and it will show you the list of apps and their notification counts.
Sliding your finger to one of those will open it directly.
it’s possible for you to also quickly rename a folder from the same menu.
I mostly use this shortcut for theSettingsapp.
Find my iPhonecan instantly play the locator sound on any machine attached to the current iCloud account.
Press the app icon hard and choose the rig from the list.
Some, likeLaunch Center ProandDrafts, offer easy access to your favorites and recent documents.
BothMapsandGoogle Mapslet you to quickly pull up directions to pre-defined destinations.
With myAutomaticin my car, Maps even offers a quick shortcut to find my parked vehicle.
Press harder to pull it up in the internet tool.
InPhotosa 3D Touch will preview a photo, and also play Live Photos and videos in a popup.
The last one Ill highlight is theNotes app, where 3D Touch allows pressure-sensitive drawing in sketches.
The lighter you touch, the lighter the line stroke.
Theres no visual indicator to let you know what will bear fruit with a little pressure.
At least, you might as well.
