I think these features are or can be implemented. But they are definitely not obvious. And it’s possible they weren’t there when you first used an iPhone.

To clear all, swipe down on the top left to show Notification Center. You should see an X button right of the words “Notification Center”.

If you want to launch an app from control center, open control center (swipe down from the battery icon), press and hold on a clear area until you’re able to edit it. Add a control. Scroll down until you see the Shortcuts controls and pick Open App, then pick Settings.

1. That only clears notifications not considered “recent”. Any notifications above that cutoff have to be cleared manually (and sometimes there can be a lot).

2. This is actually helpful thanks, don’t think of using a shortcut and making one myself!