How to setup and start using your new iPhone, iPad, or iPad mini

By Rene Ritchie
published

If you just got a new iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or iPad mini, tore it out of its box, turned it on, and... are wondering just what to do next, don't worry -- iMore's here to help. Thanks to the introduction of iCloud whether this is your first iOS device ever, or just the latest in a long line, it's easier than ever to set it up as a brand new gear or restore it from a backup of your old gear, and get going.

"Just works" is just the worst when it doesn't, so instead of wasting time, check out our help and how-to tutorials below, so you can start spending time with your iPhone, iPod, or iPad as fast as possible, including iCloud, Siri, iMessage, Notification Center, and much, much more. (Including the best free apps and games for iPhone and iPad!)

And hey, if you already know everything there is to know about iOS, just bookmark this page and share it with family and friends who don't. We'll do the heavy lifting so you can spend your holidays having fun!

iOS 6

iCloud: The ultimate guide

How to set up, back up, restore, and update using iCloudHow to set up and use iCloud mail, contacts, and calendarsHow to set up and use iTunes in the CloudHow to set up and use iTunes MatchHow to set up and use Photo StreamHow to set up and use Documents in the CloudHow to set up and use Find my iPadHow to set up and use Find my Friends

Siri: The ultimate guide

How to set up, configure, secure, and start using SiriHow to call, message, and email your contacts using SiriHow to set alarms and timers using SiriHow to set reminders and update task and to-do lists using SiriHow to create, view, update, and cancel calendar events using SiriHow to check stocks and exchanges using SiriHow to create and update notes using SiriHow to check the weather and view forecasts using SiriHow to play and control music using SiriHow to find Map locations and get directions using SiriHow to search the web, get answers, and find restaurants using SiriHow to find movie locations, showtimes, reviews, ratings, and trailers using SiriHow to look up sports scores and schedules, team rosters, and player stats using SiriHow to find restaurants, read reviews, and make reservations using SiriHow to open apps using SiriHow to shop for Apple products using Siri

Notification Center: The ultimate guide

How to find, access, and clear Lock screen, Notification Center, banner, and popup notificationsHow to set up and use Notification Center's Do Not Disturb modeHow to disable Notification Center banners, popups, badges, and soundsHow to enable, disable, and configure the Weather, Stocks, and Sharing widgets in Notification CenterHow to sort and organize alerts in Notification Center on iPhone and iPadHow to quickly update your Twitter and Facebook status from Notification Center

iMessage: The ultimate guide

How to enable and activate (or re-activate) iMessageHow to add additional email addresses to iMessageHow to enable read-reciepts for iMessageHow to copy, forward, and delete iMessagesHow to increase privacy with iMessageHow to send texts using iMessageHow to send photos using iMessageHow to send videos using iMessageHow to send contact cards using iMessageHow to send map locations using iMessageHow to send Voice Memos with iMessage

Photography: The ultimate guide

How to get started with photographyHow to make your photography more striking with the “rule of thirds”How to make your photographs more powerful with negative spaceHow to take amazing macrosHow to take stunning panoramasHow to take awesome HDR photosHow to take great looking portraitsHow to take fantastic photos of your kidsHow to take dreamy photos of your newborn babyHow to take irresistible photos of your petsHow to take spectacular photos of your carHow to use iPhoto to darken and add drama to your photographyHow to use iPhoto to polish and perfect your portraitsAll Camera app how-tosAll Photos app how-tosPhotography forum

iPhone, iPod, and iPad extras

How to get more help with your new iPhone, iPod, or iPad

Still have questions? Need more specific answers? Just want to chat with the best iOS and Apple community on the internet? Here's where you should go:

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

3 Comments
  • Good works..thanks imore.
  • What would be a nice addition, would be an article for families adding an iOS device and trying to make the decision whether to keep the same account or make a new one when doing the setup. I especially think of the situation where a child gets a new iPad mini who had previously been using mom & dad's iPad... so there is already a 'child' folder full of various games and apps for them on the original iPad. If you make a new account, you have to repurchase a bunch of stuff. But, if you don't, can the new device be properly secured up to keep the little one from mucking up mom or dad's stuff? And, what about when the little one isn't so little and then starts needed to use some of the internet or cloud based services. So, an article weighing the options and the pros and cons.
  • http://mobilemag2013.blogspot.com/