While many users were frustrated by how long it took them to download Apple's new iOS 8 software, there are plenty of reasons to believe it was time well spent.

An iPhone 6 on display at Apple's Covent Garden store launch in London, Sept. 19, 2014 (Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images)

Mashable compiled a list of "14 hidden tricks and tools of iOs 8." Here are some of them:

1. Hide photos

When you tap and hold a photo within the Photos app you'll see a "Hide Photos" option. If you tap it, the photo will be visible in the Hidden Album but not in your Moments, Collections and Years.

2. Mute texts

Just in case of an important meeting, you can now opt to mute texts from certain contacts. You can do this by tapping "Do Not Disturb" under "Details" in your conversations.

3. More text control

By highlighting a text message and selecting "More," you can delete text messages in your conversations one by one.

4. Scan your credit card

While making a purchase online, your Safari browser allows you to scan your credit card rather than typing in the information manually. Just select "Scan credit card" just above the keyboard. Once selected, the browser will highlight a frame. Hold your credit card within that frame and it will securely record your payment information.

5. Dark mode

While many things aren't as black and white as they could be, perhaps life just got a bit simpler. By going to "General" under "Settings" and then tapping "Greyscale," you can turn your once bright and colorful iPhone screen into 1950's like TV screen.

6. Easier access to notifications

If you've ever received a text message while you were in the middle of something else, you might have stopped whatever you were doing to respond. Those days are gone: with iOS 8, just pull the text message notification down from the top of the screen, type your response, then hit send. Then you can easily get back to business.

Medical ID

7. Medical ID

Should you have an emergency, a Medical ID screen allows anyone else to access your medical contact information, along with any medical conditions or notes you deem important, without even knowing your passcode. The option shows up in the bottom left corner of the lock screen once you've saved your medical information in the new "Health" app.

8. Timed selfies

In the age of #selfies, your camera will now allow you a few seconds to get ready for that next photo. Just tap the clock icon at the top of the screen within the camera, choose how many seconds you need, and start snapping. If you'd like more photos, just tap "Burst Mode," and the camera will automatically capture one shot after another.

Check out the rest of Mashable's iOS 8 tricks here.

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