4 issues to do first together with your new iPhone

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

Right here, I will cowl each preferable concepts and absolute musts if 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 cheaper possibility like final 12 months’s iPhone 15. I am assuming you have already accomplished Apple’s necessary setup steps, comparable to creating or signing into an Apple Account.

1 Doublecheck for iOS and/or Apple Watch updates

Keep away from shock compatibility points

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

In the event you’re pairing your iPhone with a brand new or present Apple Watch, remember to replace your Watch on the identical time — some options may not work as anticipated if watchOS is on an older launch than iOS. You possibly can scan for watchOS updates by opening the Watch app after which navigating to Normal > Software program Replace. You may must maintain 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 the perfect time to replace is often if you’re preparing for mattress, or if 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 should you solely ever used first-party apps, and which will genuinely simplify your life if you can also make it work. The fact, although, is that Apple does not make an app for every part, and there are sometimes higher options on the market once they do. You may need the Gmail app if that is the place your electronic mail comes from, for instance, and many individuals favor to take heed to Spotify over Apple Music. Go to the App Retailer to obtain apps for all of the companies you utilize repeatedly. As soon as you have downloaded every part you propose to, open every app and register.

Now may be an excellent time to browse for additional apps, however keep away from the rookie mistake of downloading every part that appears midway fascinating. In follow, you may find yourself ditching some or most of those apps, and so they’ll waste time, storage, and/or cash within the meantime. Follow the apps you are already accustomed to till there is a compelling motive to obtain one thing new.

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Nobody wants a sea of app icons anymore

My very own iPhone’s homescreen is full of 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. In the event you’ve acquired a recent 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 house, then Edit > Add Widget. All widgets could be repositioned as you want, and lots of of them could be resized to point out extra knowledge. Some frequent widgets so as to add embody Climate, Calendar, and Reminders, however you might have considered trying ones for different frequent duties like music playback, or driving to work with Google Maps.

You possibly can add a handful of widgets to your lockscreen by going to Settings > Wallpaper, tapping Customise on the lockscreen you wish to use, then deciding on the widget tray (beneath the time). Be aware that lockscreen widgets are typically small and principally helpful should you’ve acquired an iPhone with an always-on show (at the moment that 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 useful 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, dimension, 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 great distance in the direction of making an iPhone really feel prefer it’s yours, not one thing off the shelf.

We have a complete guide to customizing your lockscreen, so I will not cowl subjects like switching your wallpaper. I’ll, nevertheless, recommend scouring the net for high-resolution paintings that matches your character. There are numerous free wallpaper sources on-line, comparable to Unsplash and Reddit’s r/amoledbackgrounds. You possibly can all the time use your personal images 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 Digicam toggles. I would suggest leaving them as-is, however should you’ve acquired an iPhone 16 with devoted Action and Digicam Management buttons, you could 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 Apple’s Music and TV apps in your Mac or Home windows PC, you possibly can sync your personal music and video information.

The one subscription you may virtually definitely want is iCloud+. Apple is stingy with free iCloud storage, limiting it to only 5GB — that is probably not sufficient for a single iPhone backup, not to mention syncing a lifetime of images and movies. Anticipate to pay a minimum of $1 monthly to bump as much as 50GB of storage.

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

You possibly can should you like. It is intensely privacy-focused, and advantages from deeper Apple characteristic integration than different iPhone browsers.

That stated, some individuals 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.