Apple iPads and iPhones can be a joy to use, but they don't spoil you with instructions for getting started for the first time. We explain how to set up a new iPad or iPhone for the first time.
Watch our video guide, below, for step-by-step instructions on how to set up an iPad. The steps are largely identical if you're using an iPhone.
First, press the button at the top to turn on the iPad or iPhone, then slide the slider across the screen with your finger to start the setup process. The first thing it will ask you is to set the language – press British English. Then tap the relevant region.
Connect to wi-fi
It will automatically scan for a wi-fi network. Scroll down the list, tap on the relevant wi-fi network and use the onscreen keyboard to enter your password.
On an iPhone, you'll need to insert your Sim card. If it's a 3G or 4G tablet, it will ask you to insert the Sim card - most iPad models sold in the UK are wi-fi only, so this step may not be relevant for you.
Enable Location Services (or not)
The iPad or iPhone will now ask whether you want to enable Location Services. If you press Enable Location Services, this allows apps, such as maps, to gather and use data on where you located. This is handy when looking at a map, for example, as it will know where you are and help you plot directions.
You don't have to agree to this, and you are free to change this setting at any time when you're up and running with the device.
Set up as new, or restore
Your iPad or iPhone will display three setup choices – press Set Up as New iPad/iPhone if it's your first Apple device and you're not porting over a profile from an older one.
If you already have an iPad and you want to populate your new device with the same content, press Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from iTunes Backup. These options re-install content that you have either saved to the cloud or your songs and movies that you've bought on iTunes.
Using Apple IDs
The next part of the process is to set up your Apple ID. Here you have two choices. You can either Sign in with Your Apple ID if you already have one. Or if this is your first Apple product, then tap Create a Free Apple ID. This will then take you through the steps to create an Apple account.
After reading through the Terms and Conditions, tap Agree. It will now take you through to set up iCloud. If you want to back up content from your iPad, press Use iCloud. If you don't want to save your data in this way, then hit Don't Use iCloud.
You will then be presented with the Find My iPad screen. Tapping Find My iPad will allow you to track down your iPad if it gets lost or stolen. It also lets you erase the data and content from your iPad to keep your personal information safe, even if the iPad gets into the wrong hands. If you don't want to use this facility, press Don't Use Find My iPad.
Set a passcode
The next step is to create a passcode. Tap in a memorable four-digit number which you'll then be asked for every time you unlock the device. We recommend that you do use a passcode, because it makes it harder for people to get hold of your data if the iPad does get stolen. You will be asked to enter the code twice, just like setting up a password for any computer or online account.
Set a fingerprint
If your iPad or iPhone has a fingerprint reader (newer models do), then you'll be asked to set this up at this stage, too. You'll need to repeatedly press one of your fingers to the Home button, following the instructions throughout, until this is set up. You're only asked to add one fingerprint initially, but you can add up to four in total.
It's best to set the index finger and thumb from each hand. If you're sharing your iPad with another family member, you can let them set a fingerprint - however, this will be detected as belonging to a different person. Some banking apps will recognise this, and block you from accessing them by fingerprint.
Set up iCloud keychain (optional)
You will next be presented with the option to use iCloud keychain. This is a means of keeping your account names, passwords and credit card numbers up-to-date in the cloud and synced across all your Apple devices using the same Apple ID.
If you want to use keychain, tap Set Up iCloud Keychain and follow the onscreen prompts.
Siri on the iPad
The iPad or iPhone will ask if you want to use Siri, Apple's voice-activated assistant. This is simply a means of operating and interacting with the iPad via voice recognition. To activate it, simply tap Use Siri.
Following that, it will give you the option to Automatically Send diagnostics data. This means that information about your usage will automatically be sent to Apple. If you'd rather this information didn't get passed on, then tap Don't Send.
And that's the setup process complete. To start using your iPad or iPhone, simply tap Get Started on the home screen when it starts up.