Congratulations : You ’ve unwrapped , buy , or otherwise braved wait time to pick yourself up a mark - fresh iPad or iPad miniskirt this vacation .
But before you get to playing with your newfangled gimmick , you ’ll in all likelihood want to set it up . Thanks to Io ’s stride - by - step activation process , Apple ’s made itpretty childlike to get started ; but just in case you need some extra help , we ’ve put together a comprehensive guide to your new iPad , activate it , transfer data point from an old tablet or your computer , and some suggestions for explore its young features .
Meet your iPad and iPad mini
Welcome to your iPad . Apple ’s tablet packs in all sort of legerdemain depending on what manakin you ’ve received : If you have an iPad with Retina display , you ’re looking at a twist with a 3.1 million pixel screen , dual - essence A6X chip with quad - core graphics , a Lightning connector , LTE service , two tv camera , and up to 64 GB of store ; if you have an iPad mini , your machine also has a Lightning connector , LTE service , camera , and up to 64 GB of storage — but it runs a duple - nub A5 chip .
Though the iPad miniskirt is smaller and light than the iPad — weigh .7 pounds to the iPad ’s 1.5 — they both sport the same button and ports . We ’ll walk you through these button , prognosticate out differences where they appear .
Headphone Jack
The iPad and iPad mini both have a received 3.5 millimeter sound jack on the top of their casing to let you listen to euphony . you could use several types of phone with the iPad , let in the Apple earbuds , or alternatively you could use Bluetooth headphones . If you punch in headphones that have a build - in mike , the iPad senses the mic and leave you to practice it with apps that have audio - recor¬ding capabilities . Otherwise the iPad uses its build up - in mike to record sound .
Microphone
The iPad and iPad mini ’s internal mike is on the top center edge of the gadget , in good order above the front - present camera . you’re able to practice it to register sound recording in any app that supports audio transcription . Unless you ’re using an extraneous mike , you ’ll practice this mic for video chatting , read voice memos , talk to Siri , and more .
On/Off Button
Press the On / Off button to call on the iPad ’s screen on or off . you may still receive e-mail and notice with it turn off , but the screen stays blank until you wake it by pressing this button or the Home clitoris . To turn the gadget off , obligate the On / Off button down until the screen dims and the red “ slide to power off ” slider seem . Slide your finger across the permutation , and the iPad mini powers down . ( To turn your gadget back on , press and hold this release again until the Apple logo appears . )
you’re able to also decline or muteness alerts and alarms with the On / Off button ; push it once to silence an incoming alerting .
Front-Facing FaceTime HD Camera
This 1.2 - megapixel camera can snap 1280 - by-960 - pixel stills and 720p HD video ( 1280 by 720 pixels ) . Apple designed the front - facing camera primarily for using FaceTime and snapping prompt ego - portraits .
Touchscreen Display
The iPad and iPad mini do n’t have a tactile keyboard or many hardware push ; instead , you use its LED - backlit Multi - Touch deoxyephedrine display to read books , channel-surf the Web , compose email messages , navigate apps , and change preferences . The silver screen is made from optical - quality chalk , which makes it extremely grave resistant . It also has an petroleum - resistant oleophobic coating that makes it easy to wipe off smudges .
The iPad ’s screen is 9.7 inch with a resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels — at 246 pixel per inch , Apple describes it as a Retina display , meaning that the pixels are too lowly to distinguish with the human eye . If you have an iPad miniskirt , you ’re look at a 7.9 - inch screen with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels ( 163 pixels per in ) .
Home Button
The only physical clit on the face of the iPad and iPad mini , the Home button provides a form of shortcuts for access apps and operating organisation feature film .
SINGLE - PRESSA individual - pressure of the Home button can have several results , depending on what you ’re using the iPad miniskirt for at the time : If the iPad is in rest way , pressing the rest home clit wakes it ; if you ’re in an app , it reelect you to the home CRT screen ; if you ’re on a subsequent home screen page , it returns you to the first page ; and if you ’re on the first home covert varlet , it bring in you into the iPad ’s Spotlight hunt musical mode .
SINGLE - PRESS AND HOLDPress and hold the nursing home button for at least two seconds to activate Siri .
Set Me Up: To begin the activation process, slide the switch to the right.
DOUBLE - PRESSWhen the twist is locked or in nap modality , a threefold - printing press of the Home button wakes your gadget and brings up the Music controls . In dynamic use , it bring up the multitasking barroom , showcasing your active apps .
Speaker(s)
speaker unit line the bottom edge of the iPad and iPad mini . The iPad has a single mono verbaliser to the right of the wharf connecter , while the iPad mini contain two small stereo system speakers . They play anything that makes dissonance on your iPad , including music , telecasting , or app sounds . you could also pinch up the iPad miniskirt to third - company Speaker using the headphone jack , via Bluetooth , or via AirPlay , Apple ’s wireless sound recording and television feature .
Dock Connector
The iPad and iPad mini exercise Apple ’s new Lightning dockage connector to connect to your computer and other accessories . The connector is reversible , so you could stop up it into your gadget in either direction . Unfortunately , if you have older iOS gadget accessories that frisk a 30 - pivot pier connector , your iPad wo n’t work with those time unless you get an adapter .
When plug into its include ability adaptor , the iPad can shoot while alert or asleep . Your twist will also charge when plug into newer Macs and PC , though charging will take longer . quondam computer without luxuriously - power USB porthole will only charge the iPad mini when it ’s in rest mode ; when alert , it exhibit a “ Not charging ” message in the condition bar at the top of the screen .
iSight Camera
The second of the iPad and iPad mini ’s two cameras is located along the back of the machine , in the upper left corner . This 5 - megapixel camera boast a five - element lens , can illumination , a hybrid IR filter , and an f/2.4 aperture ; it inject 1080p HD video and 2592 - by-1936 - picture element still . you’re able to use this photographic camera for immediate moviemaking and render your FaceTime associate a wider view of your surroundings . ( While you may certainly also take stills , we suggest using a pocket-sized gimmick — like your fluid telephone set or a portable television camera — for such affair . )
SIM Card Tray (iPad and iPad mini Wi-Fi + Cellular models only)
Apple offers the iPad and iPad mini in two unlike colors , white and black , as well as in two different manikin : Wi - Fi and Wi - Fi + Cellular . If you want to be able-bodied to connect to the cyberspace via cellular net , you need to bribe the latter . ( you’re able to evidence them apart visually : The Wi - Fi + Cellular model has a smutty charge card banding along the top back . )
The iPad and iPad mini ’s Wi - Fi + Cellular model can operate on multiple cellular Internet bands : various bands of the LTE cellular information standard , HSPA+ , DC - HSDPA , GPRS , EDGE , CDMA - EvDO , and HSPA . Major U.S. partners for the iPad and iPad miniskirt let in AT&T , Sprint , and Verizon . When purchasing a Wi - Fi + Cellular simulation , you must choose which supplier you require , though you do n’t have to signal up for a contract plan . The iPad comes declaration liberal , allow you to pay for service calendar month to calendar month .
The iPad needs a micro - SIM card ( the iPad mini want a nano - SIM ) to connect to a cellular provider . Without it , you wo n’t be able to access cellular Internet , only Wi - Fi . This SIM carte du jour comes preinstalled , though if you go abroad you’re able to also pick up a SIM from a supported cellular aircraft carrier .
If you need to install a SIM , or access your current SIM wag , you’re able to take away it by sticking one goal of a paper clipping into the hole next to the SIM scorecard slot , visible on the remaining side of the machine .
Side Switch
you may place the iPad and iPad mini ’s Side Switch — locate on the right side of the tablet near the top — to lock the sieve orientation or to act as a mute switch , depending on your preference .
To determine this , go toSettings > General , and then tap Lock Rotation or Mute in the “ Use Side Switch to ” section . If you choose Lock Rotation , toggle the screen - rotation switch on the side of the iPad to let on the orange Lucy in the sky with diamonds , and your iPad stays in either landscape painting or portrait view , regardless of how you ’re manage it . When the rotation lock is engaged , a small image showing a lock with an pointer around it appears on the right side of the status bar near the battery icon . If you select Mute in the preferences covert , the transposition controls the iPad ’s Silent mode , which tone down lively noises . Be notify that you’re able to still hear the sound recording from medicine and video from the equipment ’s verbaliser when the iPad is in Silent mode .
Volume Up and Volume Down Buttons
Directly below the Side Switch is a rocker release for intensity . Press the top of the rocker to increase intensity and the bottom rocker to decrease volume . ( In the Camera app , the top rocker also run as a physical camera shutter button . ) In the options app , you’re able to choose whether these buttons affect only noises from an app , or whether they control systemwide sounds as well .
Transfer your data
Whether this is your first iPad or you ’ve had lozenge that came before , chances are you ’re going to want to load it up with some data . Here are the various ways to do so , look on whether you ’re moving from an old iPad or your figurer .
If you’re upgrading from an older iPad
You ’re moving on up to the latest and greatest in the iOS world , and to do so , you ’re leaving your old equipment behind . But before you send it off on its last voyage , you have to determine if you desire to transfer its apps , data point , and setting to your newfangled iPad . If you do , you ’ll need to make a backing ( via iTunes or , if your old iPad is running iOS 5 or 6 , via iCloud ) of your selective information .
Make a backup using iTunes : If your erstwhile machine is running iOS 4 or earlier , an iTunes backup is the mode to go . To upgrade your support ( or to make a newfangled one ) connect your old machine to the computer you commonly synchronise it with via USB , open iTunes , select the machine from the Devices menu , and in the Summary field , chatter Back Up Now .
Make a musical accompaniment using iCloud : If you ’re running iOS 5 or 6 on your old iPad , and you ’ve lay up iCloud on it , you may also take reward of iCloud Backups to hold open your data . Your gimmick will mechanically make an iCloud backup once a day while locked , plugged in , and connected to a Wi - Fi net , but you could manually thrust a backup whenever you ’re on Wi - Fi by opening the configurations app on your iPad . Navigate toiCloud > Storage & Backup , and verify the iCloud Backup permutation is toggle on . From there , you just have to tap on Back Up Now to start the outgrowth . ( You should mark that iCloud backups can sometimes take importantly longer than iTunes backup , so it may not be the best option if you ’re in a hurry to go under up your new twist . )
If this is your first iPad (or you’re upgrading from another tablet)
Whether this is your very first iPad or you ’re travel from an Android , BlackBerry , or Windows tablet , it should be relatively painless to transfer information to your new twist . Here are some mesmerism for move over mail , contacts , calendars , euphony , telecasting , and photos , as well as finding replacement apps for your presently used programs .
Mail , contacts , and calendars : If you ’re using a Gmail account or other popping or IMAP - base story for ring armour , it ’s already synchronize to a central server , and you should be able to total that accounting to your fresh iPad with few issues . Apple ’s iOS has reflexive setup for those using Microsoft Exchange , Gmail , Yahoo , Aol , or Hotmail ; you ’ll also be able to manually define up a soda water or IMAP report for chain armour , LDAP or CardDAV for contacts , or CalDAV for calendar . If you do n’t have an email account but require to make one , you’re able to also produce an iCloud account from the Mail , Contacts , Calendars filmdom in the configurations app .
Music , videos , and photos : Your fresh iPad uses iTunes to synchronise any music , TV , and movies from the program to your gadget ; pic can also be synchronize from iPhoto , Aperture , or a photos folder . To sync any music or video recording you have on your computing machine , sum up it to iTunes ; to sync your photos , contribute them to iPhoto or Aperture ( on a Mac ) or rank them in your Pictures folder ( on a PC ) .
If you ’ve purchased things from the iTunes Store before , you could redownload those for free after you set up your new iPad by going to the Purchased tab in the iTunes app .
If you ’ve purchased content that has n’t been copied to your computer ( say , if you ’re usingAmazon Cloud Drive ) , you should be capable to download it to your desktop system , or , at the very least , establish an app on the iPad ( like the Kindle app for book purchase ) that lets you get to the information .
Apps and miscellany : If you ’re moving from another tablet with a dissimilar OS , you unfortunately ca n’t port any of those apps to your iPad . On the upside , you may be able-bodied to find parallel version on Apple ’s App Store ( for instance , if you ’re usingDropboxon your smartphone or Android tablet , you could download the company ’s iOS app and go on to access your Dropbox data ) . If you have apps with valuable information you do n’t desire to lose ( billet apps , to - do lists , and so on ) , you could prod around to see if there ’s any way of export that information ; otherwise , you ’ll be out of destiny .
Activate your iPad
If you purchase your iPad in the Apple Store , you may have already activated it with a Specialist by your side . But if you ’ve received your new gadget as a gift , or you prefer not to activate immediately , here ’s a guide on how to do so .
place Me Up : To begin the activating process , slide the replacement to the right .
Once you ’ve unboxed your iPad , turn it on by push the On / Off electrical switch . A welcome silver screen greets you , displaying a playground slide To arrange Up slider in a diversity of unlike languages . ( If you need flying admission to your machine ’s IMEI or ICCID number without set up the machine , you’re able to tap the information button [ represented by a lowercase i ] locate directly above the skidder . )
Set Me Up: To begin the activation process, slide the switch to the right.
Users with ocular impairment can also take advantage of Io ’s VoiceOver blind - read organization during the frame-up unconscious process by triple - sink in the Home button .
To begin the activation appendage , skid the switch to the right wing , where you ’re asked to pick your language , country , and if you ’d like to enable Location Services . This give up Apple apps ( and third - party apps ) to get at your location via Wi - Fi mesh and your Global Positioning System ( GPS ) location .
Your iPad will ensure for any Wi - Fi internet in the area that you may link up to ; regrettably , if it does n’t find any , you ’ll have to correct up your iPad via iTunes and the computer .
Choose Your Own: You can set up your new iPad as a new device, or restore it from a backup.
Restoring old data to a new iPad
Choose Your Own : you may define up your Modern iPad as a new machine , or restore it from a backup .
If you ’re kick upstairs from an former iPad , you ’ve hopefully made a backup of that data , either via iCloud or iTunes . select one of these options to copy that entropy to your novel machine .
Restore from iCloud fill-in : If you have an iCloud story and have plunk for up a previous iPad incarnation using iCloud ’s Backup feature of speech , you’re able to use this backup to restitute your twist ( though you ’ll need to be on a Wi - Fi web to do so ) . To restore , sign in to your iCloud bill , agree to Apple ’s terms and atmospheric condition , and then choose which backup file you ’d like to use and tap the blue Restore clitoris in the top right recess of the screen . ( Depending on the speeding of your Wi - Fi connection , this unconscious process can take anywhere from a few minute to a few hr . )
Email Identification: Your Apple ID is an email address—one you already use, or a new email you create on the spot.
fix from iTunes backup : If you solicit Restore From iTunes Backup , you ’re brought to the Connect To iTunes blind . plug in your iPad to your computer and receptive iTunes ; after clicking on your equipment in the Source list , you see the Set Up Your iPad screen , which asks if you ’d like to set it up as a new iPad or regenerate from a specific reliever . Choose the correct backup , and then snap the Continue button to go . This process is importantly quicker than regenerate from iCloud because you ’re transfer data over USB , not over Wi - Fi .
Once you choose either option , your machine will trigger and begin the restore cognitive process .
Setting up as a brand-new iPad
Email Identification : Your Apple ID is an email address — one you already employ , or a new email you create on the spot .
Do n’t have a backup of an older machine , or do n’t want to use one ? It ’s well-to-do to begin fresh . The first matter you require to determine is whether to render an Apple ID ( or make one , if you do n’t have one ) . You use your Apple ID to buy medicine from iTunes , apps from the App Store , book from the iBookstore , and for iCloud .
What ’s an Apple ID ? : If you ’ve ever buy something from the iTunes Store , you ’ll have bless up for an Apple ID — it ’s usually your primary email destination . Your login selective information for Apple ’s MobileMe or iCloud avail should also work when signing in .
Send to the Cloud: If you want to keep your iPad in sync with your computer and other iOS devices, back it up remotely, and find it when it’s been lost, you should enable iCloud.
Use your current Apple ID : Already have an Apple ID ? Tap the Sign In With An Apple ID clit and go in your username ( usually your electronic mail address ) and password . Apple will then drop a few bit linking your gimmick to your Apple ID .
Sign up for a new Apple ID : If you do n’t have an Apple ID , it ’s easy enough to make one by tapping the Create A Free Apple ID button . You ’ll need to put down your natal day , name , your email address ( or create a new iCloud e-mail address ) , a parole , a security interrogation ( in case you forget your parole ) , and whether you ’d like to experience email updates from Apple .
No Apple ID for me : If you ’d rather not set up an Apple ID , you’re able to solicit the Skip This whole step link in the lower correct corner . you may always add or create one from the preferences app later , but observe that you wo n’t be able to buy anything on the iTunes Store or set up iCloud until you do .
Send to the Cloud : If you need to keep your iPad in sync with your estimator and other iOS devices , back it up remotely , and find it when it ’s been lose , you should enable iCloud .
If you ’ve chosen to set up or record an Apple ID , you could also enable iCloud on your equipment . iCloud is an umbrella terminus for Apple ’s collection of sync service , and allows you to sync your photos , apps , contacts , calendar , and mail across multiple devices . ( you may read more about iCloud in our Getting initiate with iCloud undercoat . )
Choose to set up iCloud , and you ’ll first be asked whether you ’d like to enable iCloud substitute for your equipment . If you do so , you could have your iPad back up all all important preferences to your iCloud account ; if you ever need to restore , you could do so over Wi - Fi without an extra computing machine . you could also elect to have your iPad back up to your computer using iTunes . to boot , you ’ll be asked whether you ’d wish to opt in to iCloud ’s Find My iPhone armed service . This will enable placement monitoring for your iPad , earmark you to find it using your Apple ID and the Find My iPhone app from another iOS twist , or by logging into your iCloud account online , should it go absent .
Finishing Touches
One of the iPad ’s nice features is Apple ’s personal vocalism assistant , Siri . If you want to take reward of Siri , you could enable it here . Then , once you wind up the apparatus process , you ’re asked if you ’d care to station Apple anon. diagnostics and employment information ( standardized to a screen background clang write up ) . After you do that question , your iPad will be all set and quick for you to start using .
Get started with your iPad or iPad mini
Those of you who have buy an iOS equipment before know the drill , but for those first - timer , here are a few ready pointer for getting acquainted with your equipment .
Learn how to tap , scuff , and multitask : If you ’ve never used an iOS equipment before , check out our primeron Multi - Touch gestures and using the multitasking bar .
Tweak your preferences : Most of the underlying system information for your new iPad — meshwork scope , Mail , sounds , content , restriction , wallpaper , and more — is kept in the preferences app . As such , it ’s a good place to start when you ’re first getting acquainted with your twist .
Set up iTunes sync : If you did n’t restore from an iOS backup , you wo n’t have any medicine , video , podcasts , photo , or books on your iPad . you’re able to remedy that by tie in to your iTunes subroutine library : Just punch your gimmick into your computer via its let in USB cable . ( Once you ’ve completed this initial sync , you could also set up wireless local syncing;check out our guidefor more information . )
Explore the App Store : Your iPad issue forth with a bunch of cool progress - in apps , but you may want to reach to third - party programs for more interesting fare . The App Store , which you’re able to access on your machine or via iTunes on your figurer , boast more than 250,000 downloadable apps customized for your iPad , and more than 750,000 other apps meant to execute on an iPhone but that can work on your iPad , too .
And do n’t bury to download your free copy of iBooks , Apple ’s ebook reader , either . you’re able to do so by going to the App Store and searching for “ iBooks . ”
Talk to Siri : If you chose to set up up Siri on your iPad during the activating procedure , you ’re just one Home button press forth from having your first conversation . Siri can help you Holy Writ designation , find restaurants , bet up the weather , talk of the town sports , and occasionally whip outsnarky quips about robotic AI . To lead off , squeeze and hold your Home button ; the Siri port will look , along with a few suggested phrase to get going .
interpret more about your iPadWant to get word more about your iPad and its apps , get third - party programme proffer , and get some great troubleshooting backsheesh ? assure outMacworld ’s iPad Starter Guide and iPad Mini Starter Guide : They ’re both ebooks available on the iBookstore , Kindle Store , and Nook Store , and as a PDF .
What to do with your old device
Now that you ’ve managed to transfer your sometime information , set up your novel iPad , and start using it , it ’s sentence to figure out what you ’d wish to do with your old machine . If you ’re concerned in selling , recycling , or pass it along to a friend or family appendage , Macworldsenior writer Lex Friedman whipped upa handy guidethat contains the steps you ’ll ask to take .
