How to Set Up a New iPhone or iPad

Hold down the power button for a few seconds until the Apple logo appears on the screen, then release it. You will then see a “Hello” message and you can swipe right to get started and choose your language.

Now choose your region. This should be the country you live in, as it will affect localization like time and date format, currency, keyboard layout and more.

It’s time to connect to a wireless network, and the iPhone or iPad will scan for nearby networks: choose yours from the list. If you don’t know the network name of your router, check the labels or manual. Usually it is the one at the top of the list because it will have the strongest signal.

Enter your Wi-Fi network password and once connected, your iPhone or iPad will activate by contacting Apple’s servers. An iPhone will also ask you to insert a valid SIM card for the activation process.

Choose whether or not location services are enabled. It’s best to turn them on because many apps use your location, and that’s usually helpful. You can choose later in the Settings app which apps are allowed to use your location.

You will then be asked if you want to set up the device as a new iPhone or iPad or restore an existing backup.

If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone or iPad, it’s usually best to restore the most recent backup. This backup can be stored online in iCloud, or on your laptop or PC in iTunes.

Note that you can only restore iPhone from iPhone backup and iPad from iPad backup.

If this is your first iPhone or iPad, choose “Set up as a new iPhone or iPad”. If you’re switching from an Android phone to an iPhone, there’s a useful app you can download from the Google Play store called Move to iOS. This will help you transfer everything (or at least most things) from your old phone to your iPhone.

If you already have an Apple account, sign in using your email address and password. Otherwise, tap Create Free Account.

You can ignore this, but it means you won’t be able to use many features of the iPad or iPhone, and you won’t be able to install additional apps.

Accept the terms and conditions (you can’t use your device if you don’t), and you’ll see a message that it’s now ready to use.

Tap Use iCloud on this screen. You can choose not to, but you’ll miss out on a lot of useful features. Tap the About iCloud link to learn more about what it can do for you.

One of the most important features is the ability to locate your iPhone or iPad if it’s lost or stolen: Find My iPad (or iPhone) is turned on automatically when you tap Use iCloud.

Assuming you’re using iCloud, you’ll also be asked what addresses and numbers you want people to be able to message you through iMessage. You can check or uncheck email addresses and phone numbers in the list. iMessage is Apple’s messaging app that lets you send messages (including text messages), photos, and videos to other iMessage users.

To avoid confusion, it’s best to use one email address for iMessage and FaceTime.

Next is the option to use iCloud Drive. This is for storing documents online, shared across all your Apple devices, although it’s best not to use this if you have older Apple devices that can’t be upgraded to iOS 8 or OS X Yosemite (the operating system for Mac computers).

If you only have a newer iPhone, iPad, or Mac (or a Windows computer), you can safely activate it.

You will then be asked to create a password. Don’t skip this, because it means others can’t access your iPhone or iPad if you lose it or leave it lying around. The latest iPads and iPhones will require you to create a six-digit passcode.

Depending on the model of iPhone or iPad you have, you will also be asked to register a fingerprint via Touch ID so that you can unlock your device by touching the scanner, or if it is an iPhone or a recent iPad Pro, it will scan your face for Face ID.

After that choose whether or not to use Siri. Siri is Apple’s digital assistant that lets you dictate messages, set alarms, launch apps, search the web and more. It’s worth using Siri.

If your device supports it, you’ll also be asked if you want to enable “Hey Siri” which learns your voice so you can talk to Siri without touching your phone – handy while driving.

Decide if you want to send error reports and other analytics to Apple and third-party developers (you don’t have to), then you’ll be greeted with this message.

Tap Get Started to start using your new iPhone or iPad.