How to set up a new iPhone or iPad

Hold down the power button for a couple of seconds until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen, then release it. You’ll then see a ‘Hello’ message and you can swipe to the right to begin and choose your language. 

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

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

Enter the password for your Wi-Fi network 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 to enable location services. It’s best to enable them as many apps use your location, and it’s generally useful. You can choose in the Settings app later which apps are allowed to use your location.

You’ll be asked next whether to set up the device as a new iPhone or iPad or restore an existing backup.

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

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

If it’s your first iPhone or iPad, choose ‘Set up as a new iPhone or iPad’. If you’re switching from an Android Phone to 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. If not, tap Create a free account.

You can skip this, but it will mean you can’t use many of the iPad or iPhone’s features, and you won’t be able to install any extra apps.

Agree to the Terms and Conditions (you can’t use your device if you don’t), and you’ll see a message saying 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 enabled automatically when you tap Use iCloud.

Assuming you use iCloud, you’ll also be asked which addresses and numbers you’d like people to be able to send you messages via iMessage. You can tick or untick 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 just 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, though it’s best not to use it if you have older Apple devices which 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 enable it safely.

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

Depending on the model of iPhone or iPad you’ve got, you’ll also be asked to register a fingerprint via Touch ID so you can unlock your device by touching the scanner, or if it’s a recent iPhone or 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, perform web searches and much more. It’s well 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 whether you want to send error reports and other analytics to Apple and third-party developers (you don’t have to) and then you’ll be greeted with this message.

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