4 issues to do first together with your new iPhone

Persons are usually elated after they get a brand new iPhone, whether or not it is their fifth one or their first smartphone of any type. However in case you’ve gone by preliminary setup, looking at Apple’s default dwelling display generally is a little daunting. Even when it is not, you can simply miss out on the total expertise in case you simply begin plugging away with the apps and settings in entrance of you.

Right here, I am going to cowl each preferable concepts and absolute musts while you’ve acquired a brand new iPhone, whether or not it is a top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro, a daily iPhone 16, or a inexpensive possibility like final yr’s iPhone 15. I am assuming you have already accomplished Apple’s obligatory setup steps, resembling creating or signing into an Apple Account.

1 Doublecheck for iOS and/or Apple Watch updates

Keep away from shock compatibility points

In concept, as soon as you have accomplished preliminary setup, your iPhone ought to have already got the newest model of iOS. However Apple commonly seeds minor “level” releases for the platform, so there’s an opportunity that your iPhone might must be up to date once more to make the most of the newest bug and safety patches. Within the age of Apple Intelligence, you would possibly even be lacking out on main options in case you’re nonetheless working iOS 18.0 somewhat than 18.1 or later. You’ll be able to test for iOS releases by going to Settings > Normal > Software program Replace. If new software program is on the market, make certain you have acquired loads of energy earlier than you begin downloading, and a minimum of half-hour you may afford to be phone-free. The method might take longer relying in your Wi-Fi or mobile speeds.

For those who’re pairing your iPhone with a brand new or present Apple Watch, remember to replace your Watch on the similar time — some options may not work as anticipated if watchOS is on an older launch than iOS. You’ll be able to scan for watchOS updates by opening the Watch app after which navigating to Normal > Software program Replace. You will must hold your Watch on its charger, and your iPhone close by and linked to Wi-Fi. Updates additionally will not begin till your Watch has a minimum of 50 p.c cost, so one of the best time to replace is often while you’re preparing for mattress, or while you’re preoccupied with desk work and never going wherever for some time.

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2 Obtain and log into all of the third-party apps you want

Simply do not fill your iPhone to the brim

Apple would adore it in case you solely ever used first-party apps, and that will genuinely simplify your life if you may make it work. The fact, although, is that Apple does not make an app for all the things, and there are sometimes higher options on the market after they do. You will need the Gmail app if that is the place your e-mail comes from, for instance, and many individuals want to hearken to Spotify over Apple Music. Go to the App Retailer to obtain apps for all of the companies you employ commonly. As soon as you have downloaded all the things you intend to, open every app and sign up.

Now might also be a great time to browse for further apps, however keep away from the rookie mistake of downloading all the things that appears midway fascinating. In apply, you will find yourself ditching some or most of those apps, they usually’ll waste time, storage, and/or cash within the meantime. Stick with the apps you are already conversant in till there is a compelling cause to obtain one thing new.

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Nobody wants a sea of app icons anymore

My very own iPhone’s homescreen is filled with icons as a substitute of widgets, however that is as a result of I have been utilizing iPhones for practically a decade, earlier than Apple determined so as to add widgets or the App Library. For those who’ve acquired a contemporary iPhone, you have acquired a possibility to show your homescreen into an info-packed widget dashboard. Simply faucet and maintain an icon to see widget choices, or else in an empty area, then Edit > Add Widget. All widgets may be repositioned as you want, and plenty of of them may be resized to indicate extra knowledge. Some widespread widgets so as to add embrace Climate, Calendar, and Reminders, however you might have considered trying ones for different widespread duties like music playback, or driving to work with Google Maps.

You’ll be able to add a handful of widgets to your lockscreen by going to Settings > Wallpaper, tapping Customise on the lockscreen you wish to use, then choosing the widget tray (under the time). Be aware that lockscreen widgets are usually small and principally helpful in case you’ve acquired an iPhone with an always-on show (at the moment which means a Professional). On my iPhone 16 Professional, for instance, I’ve two Climate widgets for present circumstances and precipitation forecasts, plus a Battery widget exhibiting the standing of my Apple Watch. These are helpful when my iPhone is performing like a wise show, however principally pointless if I am about to unlock.

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4 Customise your lockscreen with new colours, fonts, and wallpaper

Make the iPhone expertise extra private

Whilst you’re including lockscreen widgets, you would possibly as nicely change the colour, measurement, and/or model of your lockscreen’s fonts by tapping on its time tray. Apple does not allow you to reposition something besides widgets, however these tweaks can go a good distance in direction of making an iPhone really feel prefer it’s yours, not one thing off the shelf.

We have got a complete guide to customizing your lockscreen, so I will not cowl matters like switching your wallpaper. I’ll, nevertheless, counsel scouring the net for high-resolution art work that matches your character. There are a lot of free wallpaper sources on-line, resembling Unsplash and Reddit’s r/amoledbackgrounds. You’ll be able to all the time use your personal photographs if that fits you.

New with iOS 18 is the power to customise the motion shortcuts on the backside of the lockscreen, which usually default to Flashlight and Digital camera toggles. I would advocate leaving them as-is, however in case you’ve acquired an iPhone 16 with devoted Action and Digital camera Management buttons, you might benefit from the flexibility.

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FAQ

Q: Do I must pay for Apple subscriptions for my new iPhone?

Strictly talking, each Apple subscription service is optionally available. You are welcome to make use of third-party music, video, information, health, and cloud storage apps. By means of Apple’s Music and TV apps in your Mac or Home windows PC, you may sync your personal music and video recordsdata.

The one subscription you will virtually definitely want is iCloud+. Apple is stingy with free iCloud storage, limiting it to simply 5GB — that is probably not sufficient for a single iPhone backup, not to mention syncing a lifetime of photographs and movies. Count on to pay a minimum of $1 per thirty days to bump as much as 50GB of storage.

Q: Ought to I stick to Apple’s Safari browser?

You’ll be able to in case you like. It is intensely privacy-focused, and advantages from deeper Apple function integration than different iPhone browsers.

That mentioned, some folks don’t love Safari’s interface, and third-party browsers can provide distinctive benefits. Utilizing Google Chrome, for instance, will allow you to sync your bookmarks and historical past throughout many platforms, not simply iOS, macOS, and iPadOS.