How to Use an iPhone: Essential Steps and Key Features Explained

Getting started with an iPhone doesn’t have to be intimidating, even if you’re brand new to it. With simple gestures like swiping and tapping to move between apps, plus handy features like Siri and Face ID, daily tasks get a lot easier. Apple really tries to make these things usable right out of the box, so you don’t have to stress much about setup.

Whether you just picked up your first iPhone or you’re switching over from Android, getting familiar with the basics helps you get more out of your device. You’ll want to know how to make calls, send texts, snap photos, and download apps. Usually, the setup process takes about 15–20 minutes, depending on how much stuff you want to transfer.

This guide covers everything you need to know about using your iPhone: navigating the interface, tweaking your settings, staying secure, and making the most of Apple’s built-in apps.

Key Takeaways

• Setting up your iPhone means creating an Apple ID and learning swipe/tap gestures to get around
• You can personalize things by changing the Lock Screen, adding widgets, adjusting text size, and picking ringtones
• iPhones come with built-in apps for communication, productivity, and security—Face ID helps keep your info private

Getting Started with Your iPhone

When you get your iPhone, turn it on and follow the prompts to set it up. Decide if you want to transfer data from your old device, and sign in (or create) your Apple ID for full access to Apple’s services.

Unboxing and Setup Process

The box comes with the iPhone, a charging cable, and some paperwork. Hold the side button until you see the Apple logo to power it up.

The setup starts by picking your language and region. Swipe up from the bottom to begin. Connect to Wi-Fi by selecting your network and typing the password.

Face ID or Touch ID setup pops up for security—hold the phone at face level and move your head in a circle for Face ID. These features let you unlock your phone and make purchases without typing passwords all the time.

The setup wizard asks about Location Services and sharing analytics with Apple. Don’t worry, you can always tweak these later.

Transferring Data from Another Device

You’ve got a few ways to move your data over. Quick Start lets you transfer wirelessly from another iPhone—just hold them close.

Put your old iPhone next to your new one and wait for Quick Start to show up. Use your old device’s camera to scan the animation on your new phone. This brings over your settings, photos, messages, and apps directly.

Or, if you prefer, restore from an iCloud backup. Sign in with your Apple ID during setup, choose Restore from iCloud Backup, and pick your latest backup. Your new iPhone will pull down your apps, photos, and settings over Wi-Fi.

If you have a backup on your computer, you can restore from there too. Plug both devices in and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to transfer everything.

Creating and Managing Your Apple ID

Your Apple ID is your key to iCloud, the App Store, and all things Apple. You’ll either create one during setup or sign in if you already have one.

Tap Create Apple ID when prompted and use your email as your username. Pick a strong password (at least eight characters, mix of upper/lowercase letters, and numbers). You’ll set up security questions too, in case you need to recover your account.

Definitely enable two-factor authentication—it’s worth it for the extra security. This means you’ll get a code on your trusted devices when signing in somewhere new. The iPhone User Guide has more details if you want to dig deeper.

Your Apple ID links to iCloud, which stores your photos, contacts, and docs. You get 5GB free, and you can buy more if you need it.

Essential Navigation and Gestures

Modern iPhones use touch controls instead of physical buttons. You’ll use your fingers to open apps, switch screens, and quickly get to important settings.

Understanding the Home Screen

The home screen greets you every time you unlock your iPhone. It’s just a grid of colorful app icons.

To organize, drag one app on top of another to make folders. The dock at the bottom holds up to four apps and stays put as you swipe through pages.

Widgets show info at a glance, like weather or your calendar. Press and hold an empty space on the home screen until the icons wiggle, then tap the plus in the corner to add widgets.

Swipe left or right to flip through home screen pages. Little dots above the dock show which page you’re on.

Using Multi-Touch Gestures: Tap, Swipe, and More

Gestures are the backbone of using an iPhone. A tap opens apps or selects things.

Swipe up from the bottom to go home from any app—this replaces the old home button on newer models.

To switch between recent apps, swipe up from the bottom and pause. You’ll see cards for your open apps, and you can swipe left or right to browse.

Pinch two fingers together or apart to zoom out or in on photos, maps, and web pages. Double-tap to zoom in fast.

Press and hold something to see more options or move it—this works for app icons, text, links, and more.

Accessing Control Center and Notifications

Control Center gives you fast access to things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, and volume. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open it.

You can change which controls show up by going to Settings > Control Center. Tap the green plus signs to add things like a calculator or screen recording.

Swipe down from the top-left corner to check your notifications—missed calls, texts, app alerts, all in one place.

Tap a notification to jump into the app. Swipe left on a notification for options like clearing it or tweaking that app’s settings. If you want to get back to what you were doing, just swipe up.

Personalizing Your iPhone Experience

Your iPhone’s pretty flexible—you can set it up to match your style and habits. Move apps around, add widgets for quick info, and adjust sounds or display settings until it feels just right for you.

Adding and Organizing Apps

The App Store is packed with millions of apps for work, fun, health, and more. Tap its icon to open, then search or browse to find what you want.

Once you download an app, it’ll land on your home screen. Press and hold any app icon until they all wiggle. Now you can drag apps wherever you like, or stack them into folders by dragging one onto another—great for grouping things like social media in one spot.

If you want to remove an app, press and hold its icon and pick “Remove App.” You can delete it or just hide it from your home screen (it’ll stay in your App Library). The App Library sorts all your apps into categories and lives to the right of your last home screen.

Setting Up Widgets and Customizing the Layout

Widgets put info from your apps right on the home screen—weather, calendar, news, you name it. To add one, press and hold an empty spot on your home screen until the icons wiggle, then tap the plus button.

Scroll through widgets or search for a specific app. They come in small, medium, or large—pick what fits your layout, then hit “Add Widget” and drag it where you want.

Smart Stacks let you stack multiple widgets in one place. They’ll flip through info based on the time or your habits. Make one by dragging a widget onto another, and swipe up or down on the stack to see different widgets.

Adjusting Display, Sounds, and Ringtones

Display tweaks can help your eyes and make things easier to read. Head to Settings > “Display & Brightness” to adjust brightness or turn on Dark Mode. Dark Mode gives you a darker look, which is nice at night.

Want bigger text? Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size and slide the bar. You can turn on Bold Text too if you like things extra clear.

Sound settings let you pick ringtones and alert sounds for calls, texts, emails, and more. In Settings, tap “Sounds & Haptics” to adjust volumes or set vibration patterns. You can even make custom vibrations if you want. And the Silent switch on the side? Flip it to mute everything in a snap.

Staying Secure and Protecting Your Privacy

Your iPhone comes loaded with security features to keep your personal data safe and help you find your device if it goes missing. Setting up Face ID or Touch ID, managing app permissions, and turning on location tracking all play a part in protecting your privacy.

Setting Up Passcode, Face ID, and Touch ID

Your passcode is basically your iPhone’s first layer of protection. Head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode if you’re on an older model) to set one up. You’ll get the choice of a six-digit passcode by default, but you can tap Passcode Options to pick a four-digit code, a custom numeric code, or even an alphanumeric password if you’re feeling ambitious.

Face ID unlocks your iPhone and approves purchases by scanning your face. The setup process asks you to hold your phone about 10-20 inches from your face in portrait mode, then move your head around in a circle so the TrueDepth camera gets all the angles.

Touch ID is all about your fingerprint—just keep putting your finger on the sensor and lifting it off between touches. Try to use different angles of the same finger for better accuracy. You can add up to five fingerprints, which comes in handy if you want to use different fingers or let a family member in.

Both Face ID and Touch ID work with Apple Pay, App Store purchases, and password autofill. Still, after a restart or too many failed attempts, your iPhone will make you enter your passcode.

Configuring Privacy and App Permissions

Apps love to ask for access to your location, photos, camera, mic, and contacts. The first time you open an app, you’ll get a permission request—just tap allow or deny. To review or change these choices later, go to Settings > Privacy & Security.

Location permissions live under Privacy & Security > Location Services. For each app, you get options: Never, Ask Next Time, While Using the App, or Always. I’d recommend While Using the App for things like navigation or weather, since they don’t need your location all the time.

Camera and microphone access have their own categories in the Privacy & Security menu. When an app uses either, you’ll see a small green or orange dot at the top of your screen. It’s a good idea to review privacy settings for apps from time to time, just to make sure you’re only sharing what you want.

If you’d rather not be tracked across apps and websites, head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track. You can also tweak tracking settings for each app individually.

Using Find My iPhone

Find My iPhone is a lifesaver if your device disappears. Open Settings, tap your name, then go to Find My > Find My iPhone and switch it on. Turning on Find My network means you can locate your iPhone even when it’s offline, thanks to Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple devices.

Enable Send Last Location so your phone shares its location with Apple when the battery’s about to die. That gives you one last shot at finding it before it shuts down.

To track down your phone, use the Find My app on another Apple device or sign in at iCloud.com on a computer. After logging in with your Apple ID, select your iPhone from the list to see its current or last known spot on a map.

If your phone’s nearby, you can play a sound to help you find it—even if it’s on silent. Mark As Lost locks your device and puts a custom message (with a contact number) on the lock screen. If all else fails, Erase This Device wipes your data remotely but leaves Activation Lock on, so nobody else can use it.

Communicating with Others

Your iPhone keeps you connected in all sorts of ways—phone calls, texts, and video chats. The Phone app handles regular calls and stores your contacts, while Messages lets you send both regular texts and iMessages to other Apple folks.

Making Phone Calls and Managing Contacts

The Phone app is the green icon on your home screen. Tap it to make calls, check recent calls, or listen to voicemail. You can dial a number using the keypad, or tap Contacts at the bottom to scroll through your address book.

To add someone new, open the Phone app, tap Contacts, and hit the + in the top right. Fill in their name, number, email, and whatever else you want—maybe even add a photo so they’re easier to spot.

If someone calls and they’re in your contacts, you’ll see their name. Swipe up to answer, or hit the side button twice to decline. If you’re tied up, tap Remind Me for a call-back reminder, or Message to send a quick text reply.

Contacts sync across all your Apple devices when you use the same Apple ID. So, adding a contact on your iPhone means you’ll see it on your iPad and Mac, too. Super convenient.

Sending Text Messages and iMessages

To send a text, open the Messages app (green icon, white speech bubble). Tap the compose button in the corner, enter a name or number, then type your message at the bottom.

iMessages show up in blue bubbles when you’re messaging another Apple user. These use Wi-Fi or your data plan, so they don’t count against your texting limits. You can send photos, videos, and even voice messages without worrying about extra fees.

Texting someone with a non-Apple device? Your messages show up in green bubbles and use your carrier’s SMS service. Depending on your plan, these might have limits or cost extra.

Hold down on a message bubble to react with an emoji, like a heart or thumbs up. You can also edit recent iMessages within 15 minutes—just press and hold the message, then tap Edit.

Using FaceTime for Video Calls

FaceTime’s already on your iPhone and lets you make video or audio calls to other Apple users. Open the FaceTime app, tap New Call, and enter a name, number, or email. Pick FaceTime Video or FaceTime Audio as you like.

During a call, switch between front and rear cameras by tapping the camera icon. Mute yourself with the microphone button, or share your screen if you need to show something off.

You can even start FaceTime calls right from Messages by tapping the FaceTime icon at the top of a conversation. It’s a quick way to jump from texting to a face-to-face chat.

FaceTime works over Wi-Fi or cellular data. If your plan’s limited, try to use Wi-Fi for video calls—they eat up a lot more data than texts or audio calls.

Mastering Core Built-In Apps

Your iPhone comes loaded with apps to help you browse, organize, and keep in touch. Safari’s there for web browsing and built-in privacy, Calendar and Reminders keep your schedule and lists sorted, and the Mail app pulls all your email accounts into one spot.

Browsing the Web with Safari

Safari is your iPhone’s browser—fast, and pretty good at keeping your browsing private. Open Safari from the home screen, then type a website or search term in the address bar up top.

Key browsing features:

• Tap the tabs icon (two squares) in the bottom right to see all your open pages
• Use Reader View (tap the lines icon in the address bar) to strip out ads and clutter
• Bookmark pages by hitting the share icon and choosing “Add Bookmark”
• Add articles to your Reading List for offline viewing later

Safari blocks a lot of trackers by default and gives you a Privacy Report if you tap the shield icon in the address bar. For extra privacy, open a Private Browsing tab—nothing gets saved. Bookmarks and Reading Lists sync with iCloud, so you’ll see them on your iPad or Mac, too.

Organizing Your Day with Calendar and Reminders

Calendar keeps your appointments, events, and meetings in one place. Open it and hit the plus icon to add a new event—give it a title, location, time, and set alerts if you want.

Switch between day, week, month, or year views using the options at the bottom. Calendar pulls in events from iCloud, Google, Outlook, and more, so everything shows up together. Set up repeating events for stuff like weekly meetings or monthly bills.

Reminders works alongside Calendar to track your tasks and to-dos. Make separate lists for work, personal stuff, or shopping. Tap the new reminder button and type what you need to remember.

Add alerts for a certain time or place, so Reminders pings you when you need it. You can share lists with family over iCloud, which is awesome for group shopping or chores. Both apps sync across your devices if you’re signed into iCloud.

Managing Emails with Mail App

The Mail app pulls in email from iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, work accounts—you name it—into a single inbox. To add an account, go to Settings, tap Mail, then Accounts.

Open Mail and you’ll see your newest messages at the top. Swipe left on a message to delete, archive, or mark as read. Swipe right to mark as unread or flag something important. To write a new email, tap the compose icon (square with a pen).

Handy Mail features:

• Search your inbox with the search bar at the top
• Move messages into folders for organization
• Set VIP alerts for emails from important people
• Send big attachments using Mail Drop via iCloud

You can tweak swipe actions in Settings if you want to handle email your own way. The Mail app supports rich formatting, so you can bold text, add photos, and include attachments in your messages—no problem.

Utilizing Productivity and Utility Features

Your iPhone has built-in tools to help you stay on top of things and make daily life smoother. You get quick access to core features, ways to cut down on distractions, and a bunch of options to keep your day organized—no extra downloads required.

Customizing Control Center Shortcuts

Control Center gives you quick access to frequently used settings and tools without opening individual apps. On newer iPhones, swipe down from the top-right corner; on older models, swipe up from the bottom.

If you want to adjust which shortcuts show up in Control Center, head to Settings > Control Center. You’ll spot two sections: Included Controls and More Controls. Tap the green plus to add features, or the red minus to remove anything you rarely use.

Rearrange controls by holding the three horizontal lines next to each item and dragging them into your preferred order. Most folks add things like Screen Recording, Voice Memos, Alarm, or Notes. Once you set it up, your go-to features are always just a swipe away.

Using the Timer, Calculator, and Flashlight

The timer, calculator, and flashlight are three handy tools you can pull up from Control Center or by asking Siri.

With the Timer, you can set countdowns for anything—cooking, workouts, whatever’s on your mind. Open the Clock app and tap Timer, or add the Timer shortcut to Control Center for even quicker access. Want to set multiple timers? Just ask Siri to “set a timer for 10 minutes” while one is already running.

The Calculator handles basic math and, if you flip your iPhone sideways, turns into a scientific calculator. Grab it from your home screen or Control Center.

The Flashlight fires up your iPhone’s LED instantly. To tweak brightness, press firmly on the flashlight button in Control Center and slide the brightness up or down.

Leveraging Do Not Disturb and Focus Modes

Focus modes help minimize distractions by deciding which notifications and calls can get through. Do Not Disturb is the simplest Focus mode, blocking all notifications and calls.

To set up Focus, go to Settings > Focus. You’ll find presets like Personal, Work, and Sleep, or you can make your own. Each mode lets you pick which people and apps can notify you. You can even customize your home screen to show only the apps you want for each mode.

Focus modes can turn on automatically based on time, location, or when you open certain apps. Maybe you want a Work Focus that activates Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, letting only work contacts through. When you enable a Focus on one Apple device, it syncs across all your devices signed into the same Apple Account.

Connecting and Sharing

Your iPhone connects to other devices and services so you can share data, access content across platforms, and expand what your phone can do. Bluetooth pairs with accessories wirelessly, iCloud keeps your info synced, and third-party services like Google fit right in with iOS.

Pairing Devices via Bluetooth

Bluetooth connects your iPhone to wireless headphones, speakers, keyboards, and other accessories. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and flip it on if it’s not already.

Put your accessory into pairing mode (check its manual if you’re unsure). Your iPhone scans for nearby devices and lists them under “Other Devices.” Tap the name to connect.

After pairing, devices move to “My Devices” and reconnect automatically when they’re in range. Tap the i icon next to any paired device to rename it, check its battery, or disconnect. If pairing fails, double-check the device is charged and close enough to your iPhone.

Syncing with iCloud and App Store

iCloud keeps your photos, contacts, calendars, notes, and other stuff synced across all your Apple devices. In Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud to see what’s syncing.

Toggle on the apps and services you want backed up to iCloud. Your iPhone uploads this data automatically over Wi-Fi. You get 5GB of free storage, and there are paid plans if you need more.

The App Store uses your Apple ID to track purchases and downloads. Apps you buy on one device pop up in your library on all devices using the same Apple ID. If you want new purchases to install everywhere instantly, turn on automatic downloads in Settings > App Store.

Exploring Google and Other Integrations

Your iPhone works smoothly with Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. To add your Google account, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account and pick Google.

Enter your Gmail address and password, then pick which Google services you want on your iPhone. You can grab Google apps like Maps, Photos, and Chrome from the App Store if you want more features.

Other services work similarly through the Accounts section in Settings. You can share your internet connection with other devices using Personal Hotspot, which shows up in Settings if your carrier allows it.

Getting Support and Learning More

Apple gives you plenty of ways to get help with your iPhone, from official guides to updates that fix bugs and add features. You might even stumble onto hidden tools or settings that make your iPhone work better for you.

Accessing the iPhone User Guide and Apple Support

Apple’s iPhone User Guide covers everything from setup to advanced features. You can read it in your browser or search for topics at the top of the page.

The guide breaks down things like taking photos, staying connected, and customizing your device. You’ll get step-by-step instructions with images showing exactly where to tap and what to pick.

If you need more help, Apple Support offers chat, phone calls, or appointments at the Apple Store. The support team helps with technical issues, account problems, or questions about features.

For quick fixes, visit the Apple Support website and search for your issue. Most common problems have articles with solutions you can try right away.

Keeping Software Updated

Software updates squash bugs, patch security holes, and add new features to your iPhone. Apple rolls out major iOS updates once a year, plus smaller ones as needed.

To check for updates, open Settings, tap General, then Software Update. Your iPhone checks for new versions. If there’s an update, tap Download and Install to start.

If you want updates to install overnight while charging, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates and enable both Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.

Updates usually take 15 to 30 minutes and your iPhone will restart during installation. It’s best to pick a time when you don’t need your phone. Make sure your battery is at least half full or plug it in before you begin.

Exploring Tips and Advanced Features

Your iPhone hides a lot of features you might not spot when you first start using it. Picking up these tricks can save you time and make daily tasks smoother.

Widgets show info from apps without opening them. Press and hold your Home Screen, tap the + in the corner, and pick a widget to add.

Control Center gives you fast access to settings like Wi-Fi, brightness, and volume. Swipe down from the top-right (or up from the bottom on older models) to open it.

Siri sets reminders, sends messages, and answers questions with voice commands. Press and hold the side button or say “Hey Siri” to wake her up. You can change Siri’s voice and language in Settings > Siri & Search.

Focus modes help you filter notifications during certain times. Set up different Focus modes for work, sleep, or personal time in Settings > Focus. Each mode can let calls and alerts through from certain people or apps and silence everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Setting up an iPhone means turning it on and following prompts to connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with your Apple ID, and configure basics like Face ID or Touch ID. If you’re new, focus on making calls, sending texts, taking photos, and getting around the home screen with simple gestures.

What are the initial setup steps for a new iPhone?

Press and hold the side button to turn on your iPhone until you see the Apple logo. Pick your language and country when prompted.

Connect to Wi-Fi by choosing your network and entering the password. If you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can use a cellular connection to set up your iPhone.

Setup basics ask you to create or sign in with your Apple ID. This account lets you download apps, back up your stuff, and use things like iCloud and FaceTime.

Set up Face ID or Touch ID for security by following the on-screen steps to scan your face or fingerprint.

Create a passcode with at least six digits. You’ll use this code if Face ID or Touch ID doesn’t work or after you restart your phone.

How can you teach an elderly person to effectively use an iPhone?

Start with basics like making calls and sending texts. Show how to tap an app to open it, and how to return to the home screen by swiping up from the bottom.

Make reading easier by increasing the text size. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size and adjust the slider.

Turn on accessibility features like larger app icons, button shapes, or spoken content so the phone can read text out loud.

Set up a simple home screen with just essential apps, remove the extras, and arrange the rest in an order they’ll remember.

Practice one thing at a time, maybe over a few sessions. Trying to cover everything at once can get overwhelming fast.

Write out simple, step-by-step notes for common tasks. Keep these instructions near where they charge their phone for easy reference.

What are the basic functions a beginner should know when using an iPhone?

Get comfortable with gestures instead of buttons. Swipe up from the bottom to go home, swipe down from the top-right for Control Center, and swipe down from the top-left for notifications.

To make a call, open the Phone app, tap the keypad to dial, or use Contacts to call someone you know.

Send texts in the Messages app by tapping the compose icon, entering a contact, typing your message, and hitting send.

Take photos in the Camera app by tapping the big white circle. The volume buttons also work as shutter buttons if that’s easier.

Taking screenshots means pressing the side button and volume up together. Screenshots go straight to the Photos app.

What tips can help improve photography with an iPhone camera?

Tap your subject before snapping a photo to set focus and exposure. A yellow box shows where the camera is focusing.

Natural light usually gives you better photos. Try to face your subject toward a window or shoot outside in the morning or late afternoon.

Hold your iPhone steady with both hands to avoid blur. Leaning against something or resting your arms on a table can help too.

Experiment with different angles and perspectives—don’t just shoot straight on every time. Try getting low, shooting from above, or moving to the side for more interesting photos.

Keep your camera lens clean with a soft cloth. Smudges and fingerprints can really mess up your shots.

Turn on the grid in Camera settings to help line up your shots. Those lines help you use the rule of thirds for better composition.

Which built-in apps and features should a first-time iPhone user become familiar with?

The Phone app is where you’ll handle all your calls—keypad, contacts, recent calls, voicemail, the works. Honestly, you’ll probably tap it more than you expect, whether you’re calling mom or just checking who rang you during lunch.

Messages is your go-to for texting, sharing photos, or tossing over a quick video. If your friends use iPhones, iMessage lets you chat for free, but you can text anyone, really.

Safari’s your window to the internet. Just tap the address bar up top and type whatever you’re looking for—news, recipes, cat videos, you name it.

Photos keeps all your pictures and videos together, sorting them by date and even location. Makes scrolling back to last summer’s road trip a breeze, though sometimes you’ll wonder where that one selfie went.

Family Sharing is handy if you want to share app purchases, storage, or your location with your family. You’ll find it in Settings under your name—worth setting up if you’re not flying solo.

The Clock app does more than just wake you up. It’s got alarms, timers, a stopwatch, and clocks for different time zones. Not groundbreaking, but surprisingly useful when you need it.

Maps helps you get around, whether you’re driving, walking, or hopping on the subway. Just punch in an address or business and it’ll guide you from wherever you are. It’s not perfect, but it usually gets the job done.

How can I make the most of my iPhone’s latest features?

Customize your Lock Screen by pressing and holding it until the customize button pops up. Toss on widgets for weather, calendar events, or activity rings, and you’ll see them right there without even unlocking your phone.

Just say “Hey Siri” or hold down the side button, and Siri jumps in to help. You can ask her to set reminders, send off a quick message, play some music, or even settle a random debate by answering your questions.

Try setting up Focus modes when you want to cut down on distractions—like during work, sleep, or just some personal downtime. You can customize which notifications sneak through, so you’re not constantly interrupted.

Widgets on your home screen? Super handy. If you press and hold an empty spot, then tap the plus icon, you can pick out widgets that keep info right at your fingertips. No more digging through apps for the basics.

Flip on iCloud backup to keep your data safe without even thinking about it. Head to Settings, tap your name, jump into iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and switch it on. Your phone will back up automatically when it’s charging and on Wi-Fi—easy peace of mind.

Swipe down from the top-right corner and you’ll land in Control Center. It’s a quick way to tweak Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, volume, and a bunch of other settings you probably use all the time. Why dig through menus if you don’t have to?