iOS 10 Annoying Features: 5 Fixes

iOS 10 introduced a fresh look and several new capabilities, but it also brought along a handful of changes that many users found frustrating. From the lock screen to Siri, certain features felt intrusive or simply got in the way of daily use. This guide walks you through the five most commonly complained-about iOS 10 features and shows you exactly how to turn them off or adjust them, so you can make your iPhone or iPad feel like yours again. No special tools are needed—just your device and a few minutes.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 (or later, though menus may differ slightly)
• Your device passcode (required for some settings changes)
• Patience—some settings are buried a few layers deep

Step-by-Step

1. Turn Off Raise to Wake (Feature #1)

   Raise to Wake automatically lights up the lock screen whenever you pick up your phone. It sounds handy, but it can drain battery and accidentally trigger actions when you simply move the device. To disable it:

   • Open the Settings app.
   • Tap Display & Brightness.
   • Toggle Raise to Wake to the off position (green becomes gray).

2. Disable the Lock Screen Camera Shortcut (Feature #2)

   In iOS 10, swiping left on the lock screen opens the camera instantly. This can lead to accidental camera launches and privacy concerns if someone grabs your phone. To turn it off:

   • Go to Settings > General > Restrictions (or Screen Time in later versions).
   • Enter your passcode if prompted.
   • Scroll down to Allowed Apps and toggle Camera off. This removes the camera from the lock screen entirely (you can re-enable it later).
   • Alternatively, you can simply ignore the swipe, but if you want to block it completely, the Restrictions method is the only built-in way.

3. Stop Siri Suggestions from Appearing (Feature #3)

   Siri Suggestions pop up on the lock screen and in the search view, offering apps and contacts it thinks you need. For many, this feels like clutter. To disable them:

   • Open Settings > Siri & Search.
   • Turn off Suggestions on Lock Screen and Suggestions on Home Screen (the latter appears in later iOS versions; in iOS 10 it’s just the lock screen toggle).
   • You can also turn off Suggestions in Search if you don’t want them when you swipe down.

4. Remove the “Press Home to Open” Requirement (Feature #4)

   With Touch ID, iOS 10 made you press the Home button to get past the lock screen, even after a successful fingerprint scan. This extra step annoyed many users. To change it:

   • Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Home Button.
   • Toggle Rest Finger to Open to on. Now, simply resting your finger on the Touch ID sensor will unlock and open your phone without pressing the button.
   • Note: This option only exists on devices with Touch ID (iPhone 5s through iPhone 8, and some iPads). If you have Face ID, this doesn’t apply.

5. Disable Auto-Play for App Previews (Feature #5)

   In the App Store, iOS 10 started auto-playing video previews when you scrolled through app pages. This can use data and be distracting. To turn it off:

   • Open Settings > iTunes & App Store.
   • Under App Downloads (or Automatic Downloads), find Video Autoplay.
   • Select Off (or Wi-Fi Only if you want to save cellular data but still see them on Wi-Fi).

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting that Restrictions lock out the camera entirely: If you turn off the camera in Restrictions, the Camera app disappears from the home screen too, not just the lock screen. Make sure you want that level of control.
• Expecting “Rest Finger to Open” to work without a passcode: If you don’t have a passcode set, the option may be grayed out. You need at least a simple passcode for Touch ID to function.
• Looking for Siri Suggestions in the wrong place: In iOS 10, the toggle is only under Siri & Search, not in each app’s individual settings. Later versions moved it, so if you’re on a newer iOS, check per-app settings.
• Turning off Raise to Wake but still seeing the screen light up on notifications: That’s a separate setting—notifications will still wake the screen. If you want to disable that, you’d need to turn off lock screen notifications for each app.

Tips

• Use the search bar in Settings: Instead of digging through menus, pull down on the Settings screen and type the feature name (e.g., “Raise to Wake”) to jump straight to it.
• Combine changes: If you’re disabling multiple features, do it in one sitting to save time.
• Test after each change: Lock your phone and try the gesture you just disabled to confirm it works as expected.
• Remember that some changes are reversible: All of these can be turned back on at any time, so don’t worry about permanent changes.
• Update iOS: If you’re still on iOS 10, consider updating to a newer version. Many of these annoyances were refined or removed in later releases, and you’ll get security updates too.

Troubleshooting

• Can’t find “Rest Finger to Open”: Make sure you have a device with Touch ID and that you’ve set up a fingerprint. If the option still doesn’t appear, check that your device is running iOS 10 or later (it was introduced in iOS 10).
• Restrictions require a passcode you forgot: If you set a Restrictions passcode and forgot it, you’ll need to restore your device from a backup (which may not include the passcode) or erase all content and settings. This is a last resort—try to remember it first.
• Siri Suggestions still show after turning them off: Sometimes the lock screen caches suggestions. Try restarting your phone. If they persist, check that you toggled the correct Siri setting—there are separate toggles for lock screen, home screen, and search.
• Camera still opens from lock screen after disabling it: If you used the Restrictions method, make sure you actually toggled the Camera off, not just the “Allow” switch. Also, verify that you’re not accidentally swiping from the right edge—the camera gesture is a left swipe, but sometimes it’s confused with the widget view.
• Video autoplay still occurs: If you set it to “Off” but videos still play, try closing the App Store app completely and reopening it. Also, check that you’re not looking at a different type of preview (e.g., screenshots vs. videos).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will turning off Raise to Wake save battery?
A: Yes, it can help because the screen won’t light up every time you pick up the phone. The impact is modest, but it adds up over a day.

Q: Can I still use the camera if I disable it in Restrictions?
A: No, disabling the Camera app in Restrictions removes it from the home screen and lock screen. You can re-enable it later by turning the toggle back on.

Q: Does “Rest Finger to Open” work with a case?
A: Yes, as long as the case doesn’t interfere with the Touch ID sensor. Most cases have an opening for it.

Q: Why is the “Rest Finger to Open” option missing on my iPhone?
A: It’s only available on devices with Touch ID. If you have an iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X or later), this option doesn’t exist because there’s no Home button.

Q: Will turning off Siri Suggestions affect Siri’s functionality?
A: No, it only stops the proactive suggestions from appearing. You can still use Siri normally by holding the Home button or saying “Hey Siri.”

Q: Can I turn off video autoplay for other apps?
A: The setting in iTunes & App Store only affects the App Store. For other apps like social media, you’ll need to check each app’s own settings.

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