Getting Started With Your iPad

📱 Your first iPad! Whether you just unboxed it or are still figuring out the first steps, in this article we’ll walk you through setting up your iPad, the gestures worth knowing, and getting started right away.

🎒 Before you start

Having a few things ready makes setup go more smoothly.

📶 Wi-Fi network

Make sure you have your home Wi-Fi password handy. You can’t get through setup without an internet connection.

🔑 Apple Account

Already have an Apple Account, the account that used to be called Apple ID? Make sure you know the password. No account yet? You can create one for free during setup.

🔋 Enough battery

Plug your iPad into the charger. Setup can take a while and you don’t want to run out of power halfway through.

📱 Your previous device nearby

Already had an iPhone or iPad? Keep it close by, you can transfer settings and data automatically.

⚙️ Setting up your iPad with the setup assistant

As soon as you turn on your iPad for the first time, the setup assistant walks you through it step by step.

Choose your language and countrySelect your language and country or region.
Connect to Wi-FiPick your network and enter the password.
Quick Start (optional)Have another iPhone or iPad nearby? Hold it next to your new iPad: an animation appears that automatically carries over your settings, Apple Account and even Face ID/Touch ID.
Sign in with your Apple AccountEnter your Apple Account email address and password, or create a new account. You’ll use this account for the App Store, iCloud, Messages and more.
Set up Face ID or Touch IDFollow the instructions to scan your face or set up your fingerprint, so you can unlock your iPad quickly and securely.
Turn on Find My iPadThis lets you locate your iPad if you lose it. Always leave this turned on.
iCloud and remaining settingsChoose whether you want your photos, documents and app data synced through iCloud, and finish the last screens (Siri, analytics, True Tone).

💡 Tip: Already had an iPhone? Your own apps, wallpaper and even Wi-Fi passwords will automatically be ready on your iPad. That saves a lot of re-setup work.

👆 Learning the basic gestures

The iPad runs entirely on touch. You’ll use these gestures all day long.

👉 Tap

A single quick tap opens an app or makes a selection. This is your most-used gesture.

✋ Touch and hold

Hold your finger on an app icon to open a quick menu, or on text to select and copy it.

👈 Swipe

Swipe from bottom to top to go to the Home Screen. Swipe from the right edge for Control Center, from the left edge for Notification Center.

📜 Scroll

Move your finger up or down across the screen to move through a page or list.

🤏 Zoom

Pinch two fingers together or spread them apart to zoom in on photos, maps or web pages. Double-tapping also zooms in and out quickly.

✏️ Getting started with Apple Pencil

Did you also pick up an Apple Pencil? Here are a few handy tricks you can use right away.

📝 Quick Note

Tap with the Apple Pencil from the bottom-right corner of the Lock Screen (or from within an app) to instantly open a Quick Note.

🎨 Drawing in Freeform

Use the Freeform app as a digital whiteboard, perfect for sketches, notes and brainstorming together with others.

✍️ Converting handwriting with Scribble

Write by hand in any text field and your iPad automatically converts it to typed text thanks to Scribble.

📸 Annotating screenshots

Swipe up with the Apple Pencil from the bottom-left corner to instantly take and mark up a screenshot.

🚀 Practical tips for your first week

A few things that make daily use easier right away.

📚 App Library

Swipe all the way left past your Home Screens for an automatically organized overview of all your apps.

🎛️ Control Center

Swipe down from the top-right corner for quick access to brightness, volume, Wi-Fi and more.

🔒 Find My

Check in the Find My app that your iPad shows up. That way you can find it quickly if you ever lose it.

☁️ Automatic backup

Go to Settings > your name > iCloud and turn on iCloud backup, so your data is always stored safely.

⏱️ Set up Screen Time

Handy for yourself or your kids: go to Settings > Screen Time to set limits for apps and screen time.

🖥️ Add widgets

Touch and hold an empty spot on your Home Screen and tap the + to add widgets like Weather, Calendar or Notes.

With this foundation you have everything you need to confidently get started with your new iPad. Still stuck, or have a specific question? Feel free to get in touch.