Long time android user needs help making iPhone more productive

[johnjkjk]

Long-time Android user, with a preference for small phones. In recent years, have been using small Samsungs and Sony Xperia compacts.

Experience with the Android has been great, with only complaint being ram slowdown and lack of updates. However build quality has been terrible with every phone breaking even with careful use. With my last Sony compact now beyond repair, I've pulled out a 1st gen iPhone SE 64GB that's been gathering dust and I need your help to make it work for me (I have an eco-conscious ethic so I'm going to use this iPhone until it's beyond repair, which could be a good few years, and will only consider a newer SE/mini if they reduced the size).

Initial experience: Good build quality. Surprisingly good performance for spec and recent updates (running iOS 15.0.2). Some jitter with multiple apps running, terrible camera, call quality and battery life, but I can live with this. However I find iOS GUI to be terribly un-intuitive, needlessly complex, and lacking in basic productivity features that I've had on Android 8-10 years ago. I need to find ways to improve my terrible iOS experience, perhaps with tricks and 3rd party tools. Jailbreak only an option if it will actually help.

I use the phone for work (I write/edit), web-browsing, whatsapp, photo, youtube and offline music. I don't use tv, gaming or social media. Not a fan of visual effects- always turned off. Don't care about 'ecosystems', accessories and voice assistants. I just need the phone to be productive, which for me is good flow of work and data including good keyboard typing, selecting text and copy/paste, multi-window/true multi-tasking, and easy navigation between apps (forward and back).

Major issues I need to solve:
- Multi-window/true multi-tasking: I mean apps, not multi-window internet browsers. Is there any solution? Can I use youtube with PIP (not through browser)?
- File system: I am NOT a cloud user and need a better way to organise my files and synch with PC. Any way to properly organise files in folders, which can be mounted as a USB drive on PC? Can I get this functionality by jailbreaking? Tried ES file explorer with no luck.
- Keyboard is terrible. Changed to gboard with small number row but period button is too close to backspace and text gets deleted. It also takes up needless real estate in vertical size. No 'back' button and there's not always a 'done' option to minimise it.
- Selecting text: placing the cursor exactly where I need it is proving to be a nightmare. I can't easily drag to an exact character, especially before the current visible selection. Sometimes it works. Mostly it doesn't. No navigation key option on keyboard to help with this.
- Text size: I'm using accessibility features but text is either too small or large and inconsistent between apps. Solution?
- I need a 'back' option to help with my work flow, not only to the previous page/option, but previous open app. Inconsistent user experience: Some apps have a swipe back, others insert a barely-legible return text in the top left, many don't give an option. Tried floating accessibility option, but there's no 'back' shortcut. I had floating/auto-hide, customizeable buttons on my Sony with a third party app. Any iPhone options? Even researched 'smart touch' screen protectors that essentially shortcut to the top left, but can't find one for the 5S/SE screen (used to exist a few years ago- help me find one?)
- Can I easily 'dock' an iPhone to use as a terminal? I had a simple USB to go adaptor on Android to convert the phone into a mobile plug-in computer, with external monitor, mouse and keyboard.
- Home screen and app centre: Any way to enlarge home screen widgets to be 4 wide? In App centre, can I make my own app groups, or add text labels to icon previews (I cannot memorise every icon)?
- Control centre: I need a few more options that are standard in android. Any third party option/trick, other than to jailbreak?
- Camera: Options limited on this model for manual control of resolution and white balance. I found an option to select resolution (size/MP) in settings, but I can't for the life of me find it in the app and I've swiped and pressed everywhere. Any better camera app? I've tried a few from the App Store which are completely rubbish.
- Force rotate screen upside down: I found an option in accessibility but it doesn't work.

However I need to make it work! First time posting here, please be kind with helpful advice to solve my issues above!

PS. I'd rather not be told to "go buy an android", or that the iPhone has a 'different way' of doing things! Really, I don't see my requirements as being 'android' features, just normal features which all mobile computers should have and I believe that eventually Apple (and Android) will eventually listen to Don Norman on design and usability when the phablet-era ends and people realise how much time they waste staring at screens.

 

[tbayrgs]

Long-time Android user, with a preference for small phones. In recent years, have been using small Samsungs and Sony Xperia compacts.

Experience with the Android has been great, with only complaint being ram slowdown and lack of updates. However build quality has been terrible with every phone breaking even with careful use. With my last Sony compact now beyond repair, I've pulled out a 1st gen iPhone SE 64GB that's been gathering dust and I need your help to make it work for me (I have an eco-conscious ethic so I'm going to use this iPhone until it's beyond repair, which could be a good few years, and will only consider a newer SE/mini if they reduced the size).

Initial experience: Good build quality. Surprisingly good performance for spec and recent updates (running iOS 15.0.2). Some jitter with multiple apps running, terrible camera, call quality and battery life, but I can live with this. However I find iOS GUI to be terribly un-intuitive, needlessly complex, and lacking in basic productivity features that I've had on Android 8-10 years ago. I need to find ways to improve my terrible iOS experience, perhaps with tricks and 3rd party tools. Jailbreak only an option if it will actually help.

I use the phone for work (I write/edit), web-browsing, whatsapp, photo, youtube and offline music. I don't use tv, gaming or social media. Not a fan of visual effects- always turned off. Don't care about 'ecosystems', accessories and voice assistants. I just need the phone to be productive, which for me is good flow of work and data including good keyboard typing, selecting text and copy/paste, multi-window/true multi-tasking, and easy navigation between apps (forward and back).

Major issues I need to solve:
- Multi-window/true multi-tasking: I mean apps, not multi-window internet browsers. Is there any solution? Can I use youtube with PIP (not through browser)?
- File system: I am NOT a cloud user and need a better way to organise my files and synch with PC. Any way to properly organise files in folders, which can be mounted as a USB drive on PC? Can I get this functionality by jailbreaking? Tried ES file explorer with no luck.
- Keyboard is terrible. Changed to gboard with small number row but period button is too close to backspace and text gets deleted. It also takes up needless real estate in vertical size. No 'back' button and there's not always a 'done' option to minimise it.
- Selecting text: placing the cursor exactly where I need it is proving to be a nightmare. I can't easily drag to an exact character, especially before the current visible selection. Sometimes it works. Mostly it doesn't. No navigation key option on keyboard to help with this.
- Text size: I'm using accessibility features but text is either too small or large and inconsistent between apps. Solution?
- I need a 'back' option to help with my work flow, not only to the previous page/option, but previous open app. Inconsistent user experience: Some apps have a swipe back, others insert a barely-legible return text in the top left, many don't give an option. Tried floating accessibility option, but there's no 'back' shortcut. I had floating/auto-hide, customizeable buttons on my Sony with a third party app. Any iPhone options? Even researched 'smart touch' screen protectors that essentially shortcut to the top left, but can't find one for the 5S/SE screen (used to exist a few years ago- help me find one?)
- Can I easily 'dock' an iPhone to use as a terminal? I had a simple USB to go adaptor on Android to convert the phone into a mobile plug-in computer, with external monitor, mouse and keyboard.
- Home screen and app centre: Any way to enlarge home screen widgets to be 4 wide? In App centre, can I make my own app groups, or add text labels to icon previews (I cannot memorise every icon)?
- Control centre: I need a few more options that are standard in android. Any third party option/trick, other than to jailbreak?
- Camera: Options limited on this model for manual control of resolution and white balance. I found an option to select resolution (size/MP) in settings, but I can't for the life of me find it in the app and I've swiped and pressed everywhere. Any better camera app? I've tried a few from the App Store which are completely rubbish.
- Force rotate screen upside down: I found an option in accessibility but it doesn't work.

However I need to make it work! First time posting here, please be kind with helpful advice to solve my issues above!

PS. I'd rather not be told to "go buy an android", or that the iPhone has a 'different way' of doing things! Really, I don't see my requirements as being 'android' features, just normal features which all mobile computers should have and I believe that eventually Apple (and Android) will eventually listen to Don Norman on design and usability when the phablet-era ends and people realise how much time they waste staring at screens.

I won’t go straight to the ‘go get another Android’ trope as you requested but, to be honest, a lot of the functionality you seek is just not an easy option on iOS (or even possible at all).

File System: If you don’t like what’s possible using the Files app, you’re again basically out of luck.

Keyboard: Only advise is to search for and try other third party keyboards.

Selecting text: iPhones from the 6s through the XS generation had 3D Touch pressure sensitivity that allowed one to press harder to trigger cursor navigation amongst text (search for it on YouTube for a demo) while subsequent iPhones now have Haptic Touch with is essentially the same functionality with a long press on the space bar. The first gen 6S never had 3D Touch (didn’t have the hardware capabilities) and I’m not sure it Haptic touch was made available on the SE after the fact. It‘s a great way to have pinpoint control over cursor placement.

Text size: If the 12 steps of variability found under Display & Brightness with Larger Text setting in Accessibility turned on, then you’re sadly just out of luck.

Back navigation: Double click the home button to bring up the App carousel to switch back to another app. iPhones that no longer have a physical home button can switch back to the previous app but slide a thumb/finger along the very bottom of the phone from left to right.

Control Center (Centre): All possible options can be found under Settings > Control Center. If you don’t see it there, it’s not an option unless you go the jailbreak route.

Docking an iPhone: Not natively possible. You can mirror the iPhone’s display to any AirPlay compatible TV or an Apple TV connected to a display and pair a BT keyboard but no native mouse/trackpad support.

Camera: I’ve not personally used it but Halide is oft mentioned as a camera app powerhouse.

Force rotate display upside down: Not natively possible.

Again, if these are some of the most important bits of functionality, it really would be in your best interest to find a comparably priced Android phone, just for the simplicity of not finding extravagant work arounds to make an iPhone work.

And just to clarify that I’m not some iPhone fan who doesn’t have a clue about Android—while I’m far from the most experienced Android user here, I’ve almost constantly owned/used an Android phone either as my primary phone but more commonly as my secondary device, going all the way back to the Galaxy Nexus and Note II. So I have a pretty good understanding of what can/cannot be done on both platforms.

 

[johnjkjk]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions, tbayrgs, I appreciate your taking the time to go through everything point by point.

Again, at this point I am not looking to obtain another phone for a while. My last Androids had powerful specs but I've been burned by poor quality hardware and lack of updates. The iPhone SE 1st Gen has a lower spec, but runs the same apps just as well (if not better), has good build quality and is still receiving updates. This time I'm prioritising hardware. For environmental reasons, I'd like to make it work more productively until it breaks. Perhaps in the future there will be a SMALL (8-12cm) smartphone with Dex-like docking that could genuinely replace my PC.

Granted, I know little about iOS, but I'm looking for basic things that should be platform-independent. I'm not necessarily looking for 'extravagant' workarounds, but perhaps the right set of tricks and third party apps, to make my life easier and more productive over the next 2 or so years.

With that dispensed, let's look at my list again:

• File System: Any way to plug the iPhone into a PC and drag and drop files, that will appear in the iPhone in my own set of folders? Perhaps a wireless solution that would make the iPhone appear as a NAS on local network. I have read about third party file explorers with webDAV and iTunes replacers for PC, but am very confused. I don't need access to the root/OS files, which I presume jailbreaking would enable.
• Keyboard: Any keyboards (or accessibility app) that can scale down the vertical height?
• Selecting text: Thanks for the tip, I can confirm that 3D touch cursor position does work by pressing on the spacebar. It's annoying but it works.
• Text size: With larger text turned on in Accessibility, a single step up takes it from fairly small to comically large. Further, this larger text setting has NO effect on home screen icon text, notifications bar and the ridiculously tiny 'back to app' text that appears in the top left. I am supposing that little can be done here until Apple fixes it.
• Back navigation: Back and App carousel are two different functions. I can see a 'custom' option in the floating assistive touch button, but can't figure out how to program it to make it click the top left area. Are there any third party apps that can add a floating or auto-hide shortcut menu?
• Control Centre: Any way to add e.g. lower white point level? I can enable it with triple home button press, but not easily adjust the % for night-time use- It's hidden deep in the menus.
• Docking an iPhone: It seems iOS 13 added support for keyboard and mouse and it's possible to have a desktop experience using a USB/HDMI adaptor. This video demos an iPhone 12 with Shiftscreen to multi-task 6 apps for a desktop experience but one is limited to their supported apps (which I'm guessing are web apps)
  The iPad has multitasking so it's clearly possible in iPhone through a future OS update.
• Camera: Thank you, will try Halide. I don't necessarily need manual SLR options, just what Open Camera can do on Android. Any way to disable the stock app completely?
• Force rotate display upside down: The option presents itself through accessibility>assistive touch>device>rotate screen. portrait/left/right works, but upside down doesn't work. I'm presuming a bug. Googling suggests that this used to work before the iPhone X notch design, but why is the option still there? Do you have it as an option? I sometimes need to use the phone upside down because of the location of the port.
• App Library: Can I make my own app groups, or add text labels to icon previews (I cannot memorise every icon)?

Thanks for your help with my transition!

 

[radow]

and will only consider a newer SE/mini if they reduced the size

Off topic, but I seriously doubt they would shrink down the screen even more. 4 inch may work for you, but it certainly isn’t the best multitasking-on-a-phone experience in the world.

> Multi-window: seems Apple doesn’t want it on iPhone. Google is rolling out YouTube PiP feature for iOS users, but in a very, very slow pace.

> File System: There are apps work with WebDAV, and yes there are storage sticks with Lightning port(only work with Files app), but I really recommend going wireless. Try: Snapdrop, it’s AirDrop but cross-platform, using WebRTC technology.

> Keyboard: You are rocking a 4 inch screen device, I don’t think you can easily step up typing experience.

> Text-size: Try adjust text size in every individual app. Again, you are rocking a 4 inch screen device, with the lowest “logical resolution” across current-supported iOS devices; also very few people keep original iPhone SE nowadays. This means some app developers may just shrink down UI elements, put these on original SE without any adjustments, and call it a day. It is a sad truth.

> Back navigation: I can confirm that there’s an add-on for that, you need jailbreak though.

> App Library: Labels are fixed.

Perhaps in the future there will be a SMALL (8-12cm) smartphone with Dex-like docking that could genuinely replace my PC.

Actually I think width matters more than height. What do you think of Xperia 5 series?

eco-conscious ethic

I really appreciate your approach! But in my opinion it’s time to upgrade. The original iPhone SE, while can still run the latest version of iOS, has a terrible battery life for a reason: A9 chip is not power-efficient enough to run iOS 15 in low-power profiles, even basic system tasks are “resource demanding workloads” for the chip now.

Again, I think your opinions on phones make a lot of sense. But phablets are mainstream now, we don’t even know if the next iPhone mini will come out or not. (There are rumors.) So iPhone 13 mini while bigger than the original SE, might be the only small phone option Apple has to offer in the foreseeable future.

 

[johnjkjk]

Hi radow, appreciate the comments and advice. On to your kind suggestions first:

> Multi-window: seems Apple doesn’t want it on iPhone. Google is rolling out YouTube PiP feature for iOS users, but in a very, very slow pace.

As an update I found that there is a youtube PIP shortcut that enables PIP. Works really well and sorts that out. As a bonus, it even works with screen off! I'm just discovering shortcuts (macros?). It seems needlessly complicated and a definite security risk to be able to run random code but if it solves my problems then so be it!

> File System: There are apps work with WebDAV, and yes there are storage sticks with Lightning port(only work with Files app), but I really recommend going wireless. Try: Snapdrop, it’s AirDrop but cross-platform, using WebRTC technology.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm checking it out now. The thing is, all my files are organised into folders. I have always resisted being boxed into media and document galleries. Having to sync is madness. Reminds me of proprietary data cables and flashtool software from 20 years ago. Out of curiosity, how does iOS restrict file system access? Is it some kind of encryption or a partition mount restriction?

Update: tried SnapDrop, really neat tool for wireless transfer on the go, but the files have to be organised after dropping them. I need something to help me drag and drop files into the right folders- preferably wirelessly. ES file explorer lets me create folders access them wirelessly, but it seems they're within this specific app's data.

> Keyboard: You are rocking a 4 inch screen device, I don’t think you can easily step up typing experience.

Actually, with the right optimisation, it actually works better than on a larger screen. Specifically, vertical height adjustment, which I used to good effect. Having a back button that can quickly minimise/hide the keyboard also helps with this. 4" is a small by today's comparisons, but very functional and in my personal experience, far more productive, with the right adjustments. My 4" S3 mini was infinitely more productive than any phone I've ever had, followed closely by a 4.6" old Sony Z3 Compact. I think 4.3" full form factor (tiny Bezels) would be optimum.

> Text-size: Try adjust text size in every individual app. Again, you are rocking a 4 inch screen device, with the lowest “logical resolution” across current-supported iOS devices; also very few people keep original iPhone SE nowadays. This means some app developers may just shrink down UI elements, put these on original SE without any adjustments, and call it a day. It is a sad truth.

It was more about the OS text size, rather than individual apps, but I've found a solution, after watching several "hidden secret features in IOS that you never knew" videos. It seems that in recent iOS versions, different text sizes is actually somehow a feature! The standard text size in display or accessibility has no effect on home screen and various aspects of the OS. You have to specifically add accessibility text size to the control centre, which lets you set text size for the active feature or app. So I was able to finally increase home text size using this needlessly obscure method. Unfortunately nothing I can do will change the notification bar, where the "back" text appears, which is ridiculously tiny.

> Back navigation: I can confirm that there’s an add-on for that, you need jailbreak though.

Link to add-on please? Any floating buttons/menus ability on iOS? Android has had this feature right from the start- which again, helps to clear up screen space on smaller screens. What I find incredible is that on Android, I've always just needed an App from Play store to sort out these things.

> App Library: Labels are fixed.

That's too bad. Can I replace the App Library with a custom launcher, or does that need jailbreak also?

On small phones and sticking to the SE:

It's a pity if Apple will drop the mini series. If they had shrunk the screen to 4.5"/120mm body height, and better pricing, it would have sold better. There are tons of 1st gen SE users clinging on to their devices for a reason. Sony's phones were flagships in smaller forms with excellent 2 day battery life, but their build quality was poor and they've ditched the Compact line. If Samsung were to try offering a Dex-enabled flagship in a small package with decent battery, it would sell really well imho.

I need a small phone. I have an active lifestyle and can't easily lug around a phablet and don't like smartwatches. Besides, my environmental ethic is important to me. I work in the environment sector (used to work in tech) and find it madness to throw away a computing device that is more powerful than my 10 year old netbook that's still happily chugging along. And I can live with the battery life- I get 5 hours of display time which is quite sufficient. I read that Steve Jobs was all for small screens. Perhaps he was ahead of his time. I think people will realise the value of smaller phones in the future.

There was a report recently that phone manufactures originally went up in screen size to get them addicted and consume more paid content. More pixels and larger screens releases dopamine and causes addiction. A LOT of people are realising the benefit of small phones. Does it reduce screen time, yes, but you can hop onto a tablet or screen mirror for that media consumption. All a marketing ploy imho.

 

[radow]

Link to add-on

Little12 works on iOS 14. I am not into jailbreak things now, so I’m not sure if it works on iOS 15. You can find more information from jailbreak communities. Also App Library Controller helps you organize the App Library, and SwipeBack something for universal “go back” options.

Any floating buttons/menus ability on iOS?

Not sure what this is. Is it the Floating Action Button from Material Design?

It seems needlessly complicated and a definite security risk to be able to run random code but if it solves my problems then so be it!

Shortcuts are really handy! Many shortcut codes are easy to read, so check out if you have spare time.

On small phones and sticking to the SE:

It's a pity if Apple will drop the mini series. If they had shrunk the screen to 4.5"/120mm body height, and better pricing, it would have sold better. There are tons of 1st gen SE users clinging on to their devices for a reason. Sony's phones were flagships in smaller forms with excellent 2 day battery life, but their build quality was poor and they've ditched the Compact line. If Samsung were to try offering a Dex-enabled flagship in a small package with decent battery, it would sell really well imho.

I need a small phone. I have an active lifestyle and can't easily lug around a phablet and don't like smartwatches. Besides, my environmental ethic is important to me. I work in the environment sector (used to work in tech) and find it madness to throw away a computing device that is more powerful than my 10 year old netbook that's still happily chugging along. And I can live with the battery life- I get 5 hours of display time which is quite sufficient. I read that Steve Jobs was all for small screens. Perhaps he was ahead of his time. I think people will realise the value of smaller phones in the future.

There was a report recently that phone manufactures originally went up in screen size to get them addicted and consume more paid content. More pixels and larger screens releases dopamine and causes addiction. A LOT of people are realising the benefit of small phones. Does it reduce screen time, yes, but you can hop onto a tablet or screen mirror for that media consumption. All a marketing ploy imho.

You get 5 hours of screen on time on SE?! Good for you! I had kept one in 87% battery health, it struggled to manage 3 hours. Maybe that’s because I use Safari a lot.

Played with iPhone mini for a while, I admit that it’s still not ideal for single hand usages (hard to reach the top), but holding experience is great. I am now into an iPhone SE (2nd gen) + iPad mini combo, and because more work and media consumption is done on the iPad, I can live with limitations of the iPhone.

 

[johnjkjk]

Little12 works on iOS 14. I am not into jailbreak things now, so I’m not sure if it works on iOS 15. You can find more information from jailbreak communities. Also App Library Controller helps you organize the App Library, and SwipeBack something for universal “go back” options.

Thanks will check them out. I don't suppose I can downgrade to iOS 14 from 15?

Not sure what this is. Is it the Floating Action Button from Material Design?

I think Android uses screen overlay.. basically apps can float on top of everything and be moved around, just like the assistive touch button on iOS. You can have floating buttons, menus, sticky notes and even multi-tasking with resizeable floating windows. Check out back button and fooview as what I'm looking for on iOS. Floating menus allow easy one hand operation to navigate. Can even pull down the notification bar and access various tasks and functions with a single tap, or easy gestures on the button.

Shortcuts are really handy! Many shortcut codes are easy to read, so check out if you have spare time.

Am checking them out! You can find the youtube pip shortcut on routinehub.co

You get 5 hours of screen on time on SE?! Good for you! I had kept one in 87% battery health, it struggled to manage 3 hours. Maybe that’s because I use Safari a lot.

Played with iPhone mini for a while, I admit that it’s still not ideal for single hand usages (hard to reach the top), but holding experience is great. I am now into an iPhone SE (2nd gen) + iPad mini combo, and because more work and media consumption is done on the iPad, I can live with limitations of the iPhone.

5 hours with low to medium brightness on safari/youtube. On average 4.5h. Battery health at 85%. Should be better with new battery. I just found raise to wake, which is quite cool for checking the time and notifications. I don't suppose I could reduce sleep time to less than 30 seconds?

Agree completely with your approach- I use a larger screen for media and serious work. Apple should seriously make a Dex mode. Would be great to plug in the phone into a portable screen when needed.

Update: Help! Unfortunately just noticed sudden battery drain with iOS 15 during phone call. Even with screen off (using headset) a 3 hour phone call drained considerable battery, with battery meter showing 3 hours screen on for phone? Bug? I would have thought that phone with screen off would be a background task. Or am I doing it wrong? I pressed the power key during the phone call and the screen seemed to go off.

 

[radow]

Sorry for late reply.

screen overlay

Get it. I don’t use this too often on Android, since this keeps background activities and drains battery.

Update: Help! Unfortunately just noticed sudden battery drain with iOS 15 during phone call. Even with screen off (using headset) a 3 hour phone call drained considerable battery, with battery meter showing 3 hours screen on for phone? Bug? I would have thought that phone with screen off would be a background task. Or am I doing it wrong? I pressed the power key during the phone call and the screen seemed to go off.

Not sure why.