Apple's iOS has a talent for adding extra steps to things that used to be simple - like the extra tap to preview and save a screenshot, or that pop-up menu that appears when you just want to attach a photo to an iMessage. Fortunately, there's a workaround for the latter, but it requires a bit of unconventional thinking.

When you're in a message, tap and hold the + button in the bottom-left corner (next to the message field) instead of just tapping it. Holding it down takes you straight to your most recent photos and videos, bypassing the menu entirely. Because obviously, the intuitive move - a single tap - gives you a menu with options for Camera, Photos, Stickers, Apple Cash, Polls, Audio, Send Later, and a variety of apps. But who needs all that when you just want to send a picture of your lunch?

Once you're in the photo picker, swipe up to access your collections and full photo library, including the search feature. That's genuinely all there is to this tip, but if you didn't already know it, consider this your time-saving nugget for the day.

There's also another route to send photos via text: through the Photos app itself. Open Photos, tap Select in the top right corner, and tap the photos or videos you want to share. A blue checkmark appears in the bottom-right corner of each selection, and the bottom of the screen will say '1 Photo Selected.' Then tap the Share icon in the bottom-left, choose Messages, and enter your contact in the To field. Add text if you must, or just fire off those pics sans commentary.