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Top 10 best tips and tricks for new iPhone and iPad users

Rene Ritchie — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:53:09 +0000

New to iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and wondering what tips and tricks you really need to know to get started? Have friends and family that are new to iPhone and would love to have a handy link to send them? Look no further. Carefully curated below are TiPb's top 10 tips and tricks for new users -- everything you need to know to get going now.

Note: If you're really brand new, check out our New User Guide first, the fastest way to get up and running and enjoying your new device.

How the Home button works: Navigation, Multitasking, Accessibility, Restart, Reboot, Recovery, and DFU

Because the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad have only a few buttons, the Home button does a ton of different things. So many, it can be confusing. A single click can move you around the home screens, a double click can put you into the Fast App Switcher, a triple click can launch Accessibility, a click and hold can start Voice Control on iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 and Siri on iPhone 4S, and clicking and holding in combination with the Sleep/Wake button can restart or reboot your device, or put it into recovery or DFU (device firmware update) modes.

Typing tips and keyboard shortcuts for iPhone and iPad

Wish you had a faster way to insert punctuation or get to caps or numbers on the iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad virtual keyboard? Or a way to type just a few letters to get a whole word or sentence? iOS has a variety of time saving features built in to do just that.

How to protect your iPhone or iPad with a Passcode Lock

Your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad can store a lot of personal information, including your contacts, pictures, and personal messages. You can set up a simple 4-digit pin or a strong alphanumeric password to protect them.

How to set up a Passcode Lock

How to take a screenshot with iPhone or iPad

Taking a screenshot is really easy with iOS and lets you quickly record or share a picture of anything and everything on your device -- a video game high score, a cool feature in an app, a funny FaceTime moment, a bug you want to report. Just snap it and it goes right into your Camera Roll with all your other photos.

How to take a screenshot

How to share a photo or video with iPhone or iPad

The only thing better than a great picture, an awesome video, or even a killer screenshot is sharing it with friends and family. Thanks to the action button, iPhone and iPad make this really easy.

How to setup iMessage and FaceTime on iPhone or iPad

If your friends and family also have iPhones, iPads, or iPod touches, you can avoid using your minutes, and get around costly SMS/MMS fees by using Apple's free FaceTime video call and iMessage text and picture services.

How to use Siri on iPhone 4S

Siri is Apple's new artificially intelligent virtual assistant and it can help get more done, more easily, on your iPhone 4S. While basic commands are great, Siri also understands context and relationships, and becomes even more powerful when you start putting together combinations.

How to tether to your iPhone Personal Hotspot

If your data plan allows it, you can tether your Windows or Mac laptop, or even your iPad to your iPhone's Personal Hotspot and get them on the internet even when you're away from Wi-Fi.

How to watch Flash videos on iPhone or iPad

Apple doesn't support Adobe Flash video on iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Often this won't matter and the video website will realize you're on an iPhone or iPad and send you H.264/HTML 5 video instead, or if it's for a TV network, you'll be able to find an app in the App Store that does it directly. However, for smaller sites that aren't compatible and don't have their own apps, there are also several App Store apps that transform the Flash video to Apple-supported H.264 video on their servers, then send it to your iPhone or iPad so you can watch it.

How to watch Flash videos

How to update or restore your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad software

Roughly once a year Apple releases a new version of their mobile operating system, like they've just done with iOS 5. Eventually, they'll release a few minor enhancements, for example, and upcoming iOS 5.1. In between, they'll likely release several bug fixes and performance improvements, for example, an upcoming iOS 5.0.1 or 5.0.2. Once that's done, you can get future updates over Wi-Fi. If anything goes wrong, you can also easily restore (re-install) either from backup, or as a new device.

Because battery life problems are one of the biggest reasons people resort to restoring, here are some tips on troubleshooting that as well.

Your top tip?

There you have them, TiPb's top 10 tips and tricks for new iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users. Did we miss any of your favorites, or not cover anything you'd really like to know? If so, add them to the comments! Meanwhile, here are some more of our favorite top 10s!

Daily tip: How to install a beta version of iOS via XCode or iTunes beta [Mac only]

Allyson Kazmucha — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:03:54 +0000

Here is a tip for developers on how to install a beta for iOS using XCode or iTunes. One of the coolest things about being an iOS developer is being able to check out new versions of iOS before they're publicly released. With WWDC 2011 upon us, we should see a beta of iOS 5 soon. If you're a new developer, or you're testing for a current developer, you'll want to make sure you install beta firmware correctly. If you don't, this can lead to problems when upgrading to official or later versions of iOS.

As a forewarning, betas are only intended for developers and testers. Don't expect a beta to be flawless, expect the opposite. I also recommend installing betas on a test device when you can in case something goes wrong.

So if you're new to this process, hit the jump for a walkthrough of how to provision your device and install a beta version of iOS. And obviously, betas are Mac only.

Download the SDK, XCode, iTunes beta, and iOS firmware

Log in to your developer account on Apple's Developer Site.
Next you'll need to go into the dev center for iOS.

Under downloads, you'll see a link for the SDK, iTunes, and beta firmware IPSWs.
Download everything you need and then move on to the next step. (Note: If you're installing via iTunes beta, you don't "have" to install the SDK if you don't want to.

Provision your device's UDID within the the Apple Developer Portal

There's a couple ways to add your UDID to the provisioning portal. The easiest is with XCode (which is what you should be using anytime you are installing beta firmware).

Simply open XCode with your device plugged in. It should bring up your device in the side bar. Right click and choose to add it to the provisioning portal. XCode should ask for your developer login.

Alternately, you can also log into the developer portal and add a UDID via the provisioning portal as well. The XCode option is just a lot easier as it does it for you. You can pull your UDID from XCode or from iTunes (simply click your serial number until it changes to the longer 40 digit number, that is your UDID and what you need to enter into the provisioning portal.

As a side note, if XCode does not load the Organizer window, simply go to Window, Organizer and you should then see your device.

Install the beta version of iOS via XCode

If you're installing via a beta version of iTunes, skip this section and jump down to the iTunes install instructions below.

Once you've provisioned your device with the developer portal and downloaded the newest beta of iOS, you're ready to install it via XCode. It is always a good idea to back up your iPhone and restore it clean before installing a beta as well. Not required but I recommend it. If you are jailbroken, it is especially a good idea to restore stock before attempting this.

In XCode, under software version, you'll need to choose Other version...
Then you will need to navigate to the .ipsw file that you earlier downloaded (the beta firmware file). I typically save them on my desktop or somewhere in a folder that I can easily find.
Select it and click Restore iPhone
A warning will pop up telling you all data will be erased. Agree and your device will be restored to the beta version. You can then restore from a backup in iTunes like normal.

Install using a beta version of iTunes

If you've already installed using XCode, no need to go any further, you're done!

Almost all betas will need to be installed using a beta version of iTunes. In the case of iOS 5, you'll need iTunes beta 10.5.

Open iTunes and click on your device. (Always back up before installing ANY new firmware, beta or not.)
Under the main Summary tab, you'll see the normal restore button. Simply hold down the alt+option key on your keyboard and click restore.
A window will pop up that will let you navigate to the saved beta firmware. Simply select it and click Open.
Let iTunes do it's thing. Once it's done, it will prompt you to Set up as new iPhone or Restore from a backup. You'll probably want to restore from your backup. But you can choose which one you'd prefer.
Let your stuff sync back over and you're done!

And again, I can't say this enough times - beta software is just that, beta. It is meant for developers and testers only. Please do not attempt to install beta firmware without a developer license or permission. And I strongly urge developers to not "sell" UDID spots under their account to people who just want early access to the beta. The purpose is for Apple to get legitimate feedback from developers before a final release. If you do not intend on submitting crash logs and bug reports, please wait for an official release.

Daily tip: How to automatically dial an extension on iPhone

Allyson Kazmucha — Thu, 05 May 2011 00:44:55 +0000

Trying to figure out how to automatically dial an extension on your iPhone? If you're anything like me, you have quite a few friends and colleagues that have extensions to their phone numbers. Luckily, Apple built this feature right into iOS, and the iOS 4.3 update made it even better!

As we all know, you'll typically have to listen to some type of message or wait for the answering service to pick up before you can dial. Inserting a pause will allow the phone time to connect the call, then it will dial the extension. If you really want to, you could also add a few additional pauses if you'd like.

Open your iPhone address book and click Edit on the contact you'd like to add an extension to.
Tap the phone number you'd like to edit and the dial pad should pop up like the picture below

After you've entered the regular phone number, tap the +*# key
Tap Pause and you'll see a comma is inserted after the number (you may insert more than one pause if you'd like the iPhone to wait a bit longer before dialing the extension)
Type in the extension number and tap done

Bonus tip: If you tap Wait instead of Pause, you'll get a hard break -- shown with a semicolon -- which means you need to hit the Dial button again for it to continue. This is handy if you don't know how long you'll need to pause for ahead of time.

You're done! Your iPhone now dials extensions on its own without you ever having to remember one again! If any of you try this, let us know how it worked for you in the comments!

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you'd like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to news@tipb.com. (If it's especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we'll even give ya a reward...)

Today's Apple event, iPad forum, iPhone tips and tricks, Custom SMS tones - From the Forums

Jeremy Sikora — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:39:31 +0000

Visiting the TiPb forums is a great way to spend some of your time leading up to Apple's iPad 2 event that is coming up in a few short hours. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if you haven’t already, head on over and register now!

Today's event will more than likely be the debut of the iPad 2 but what else, if anything do you think Apple has in store for us?
Speaking of the iPad 2 why not check out our forum dedicated to the iPad?
New to the iPhone world? Check out this thread filled with neat tips and tricks for your new device!
Want a chance to win a Steve Jobs action figure? Check out the details right here!
One of the most popular questions we get asked is can I use custom SMS tones on my iPhone? Well you can but you will need to jailbreak. For the full rundown of how to get your custom SMS tones visit this thread here.

See you in the forums!

Daily Tip: How to add a phone number to an existing contact [Beginner]

Allyson Kazmucha — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 01:44:53 +0000

Want to know how to add an additional phone number to an existing contact? Ever run across a situation where someone texts or calls you from a new or second number and you want to save it? Why bother trying to remember the number, or manually trying to add it to the existing contact, when there's a much easier way to do it. We'll show it to you after the break!

Add a number from Recent Calls

Tap the Phone app
Tap Recent Calls
Tap the blue arrow next to the number you want to save
You'll see a call info screen, at the bottom you see an option to Add to an existing contact, choose that option.
Your address book will pop up, scroll through and tap the contact you want the number to save to.
Change the type of phone or number if you like, and tap done!

Add a number from a text message.

Tap Messages
Scroll to the top of the conversation.
Tap add to contacts
An option will pop-up, select Add to existing contact
Scroll through your address book when it pops up and select the contact you'd like to add the number to
Make any changes you'd like and tap done!

These are 2 ways you can easily save additional contact numbers for one person without having to manually enter them. If you have any questions, or know any better ways, leave them in comments!

How to setup LockInfo for iPhone [Jailbreak]

Allyson Kazmucha — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:47:35 +0000

LockInfo is a great app available to jailbreakers that once again fills a functionality gap -- this one making up for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad's poor notification system. Until Apple implements a better solution, David Ashman has done an incredible job supplementing notifications with LockInfo.

Even though LockInfo is an extremely intuitive and powerful app, the setup can be a bit tedious. But when you get it right, you'll be in notification heaven! Hit the jump for a quick guide and a video with some tips for optimally configuring LockInfo.

*As a side note, LockInfo is $4.99 right now, as of November 7, 2010 - that price will go to $7.99, so if you've been contemplating, you may want to jump on the current price. There is also a 14 day trial if you would like to test it out first.

First you'll need to purchase LockInfo from Cydia. After you've done that, you will configure it through your main iPhone settings panel. You'll see two sections you will use. The general LockInfo settings section and the Activator settings section.

Activator is a universal app that'll appear on its own once you have an app that supports it. It allows you to customize gestures to activate different apps. For example, I have Activator set to launch Infoshade for LockInfo when I hold down on the status bar. If I slide up from the bottom of my screen, it'll launch a QuickSend window for iRealSMS. So once you've got LockInfo configured, go ahead and set whatever gestures are comfortable for you.

LockInfo also has several plug-ins you can install via Cydia, which most if not all come at no additional cost. Everything from weather widgets, twitter, to do apps, RSS feeds, and more. I typically bypass a lot of plug-ins and here's why: battery life. The general notification plug-ins is pretty universal. If your apps push themselves, why install a separate plug-in to fetch info and sacrifice precious battery?

As far as Twitter notifications go, I use Boxcar. I also use it for Facebook. This way, I have one app that pushes for two. I've set Boxcar to launch my chosen Twitter client and to launch the Facebook app. So if I click any of these notifications from the homescreen, Boxcar will quickly put me right into my chosen client. Whether you use Boxcar, Notifo, or any other push notification app, it should work the same. Notifications will also be instant instead of polling at set intervals, like most plug-ins will require. LockInfo's default notifications feature will also aggregate IMs from Beejive and any other application that allows notifications, even games like Words With Friends. It'll simply suppress the default pop-up notifications and present them under the LockInfo notifications tab instead.

Within LockInfo, you'll be presented with 3 main views for information - lock screen, spring board, and Infoshade. While the first two are pretty easy to understand, Infoshade may not be. I find it best to compare it to an Android-style notification system. You can set a gesture in activator for Infoshade and it will simply drop down whenever you call it from the springboard gesture. So if you hear your e-mail chime in and you don't want to exit out of what you're doing, simply use your chosen gesture and Infoshade will drop down and present you with all your information. You can then quickly dismiss e-mails or notifications, or simply delete them. Mail also supports a quick view if you tap on an e-mail. If you'd like to respond, you can click the respond button and it'll launch your mail app. Or you can trash it from the quick view screen.

However you decide to set up LockInfo is up to you, these are just some helpful hints I've learned using it. If you've got more, be sure to share them in the comments for in our Jailbreak Forums! Also, if you'd like to see something in future updates or have a feature request (or need technical help), check out David Ashman's webpage for LockInfo as well.

Today on the Forums: 2.0.2 Tips and Tricks, Other Devices and Gadgets

Jeremy Sikora — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:55:31 +0000

[Ed: Many of you know Jeremy as the most Bad Ash moderator this side of Cupertino. Well, we've finally convinced him to tear it up here on the TiPb front page as well. What's he going to choose for his debut post? Heh. Like there was ever any doubt...]

Since you can usually find me on the iPhone Blog Forums I figured I may as well make my first post about some of the happenings over there. So what's going on?

Firmware 2.0.2 tips and tricks thread is a good place to check out if you are looking for some nifty pointers in the TiPb forums. SM12 wants to know what phones did you replace with your iPhone? Another discussion that is going on is from Scottdoc and he needs help deciding what is the best software for converting DVD's for use on the iPhone. Can you help him out?

Also be sure to check out the new section to our forums that Dieter just added, other devices and gadgets. Are you a Windows Mobile fan? How about Blackberry? Android? Join our community and mix it up then! What are you waiting for?! Go ahead and join our community and get in on the conversation!