This article shows you how to master the basic features of an iPhone, starting with how it turns on and off to learning how to use the built-in applications on the device.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Using the iPhone Controls
Step 1. Turn on the iPhone if you haven't done so yet
Press and hold the "Sleep / Wake" button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Step 2. Recharge the iPhone battery if needed
The charger of the device consists of a long white cable at the ends of which there is a small connector and a power supply equipped with an electric plug. If the iPhone does not turn on, connect it to the mains for a few minutes, then try to turn it on again.
- At the bottom of the device there is a small communication port, exactly below the circular button. This is the port where you will need to plug in the charger cable.
- If you're using an iPhone 4S or earlier, the charger cable connector has a gray rectangle that should face the same direction the device screen is facing.
- The iPhone should also have a power supply (a white cube) with an electrical plug and a USB port. Insert the plug into a regular power outlet, then plug the free end of the cable you plugged into the iPhone into the USB port on the power supply.
- If the device is turned off, it should turn on automatically while you connect to the mains. You will see the white Apple logo appear on the screen.
Step 3. Find out what the iPhone keys are and how to use them
Place the device on a flat surface with the screen facing up. The function keys of the device are as follows:
- Standby / Wake up - is placed along the right side of the iPhone (iPhone 6 and later) or along the top (iPhone 5S, SE or earlier). When the device is turned on, pressing it once will turn off the screen, while pressing it a second time will reactivate the screen. When the iPhone is off, keep it pressed to turn on the device, vice versa, when it is already on, keep it pressed to turn it off completely;
- Volume +/- - these two buttons are located along the left side of the iPhone. The lower key is used to lower the volume while listening to music or watching videos or to lower the ringer sound. The upper key is used to raise the volume;
- Mute - is a small switch located along the left side of the iPhone above the keys to adjust the volume. When it is positioned upwards the audio compartment of the device is active, while when it is positioned downwards the iPhone will be silent and the vibration mode will be activated. When the "Mute" switch is active, a small orange band appears directly on the physical activation button;
- Home - has a circular shape and is placed in the center of the bottom of the iPhone screen. Pressing it once while the iPhone is locked will give you the option to access the device. If pressed when you are using an app, it allows you to directly view the Home screen, while if pressed twice in quick succession a list of all running applications is shown.
Step 4. Press the "Standby / Wake" button
This will activate the iPhone and display the device lock screen.
Step 5. Press the Home button while the lock screen is displayed
The latter shows the current date and time at the top of the screen. Pressing the Home key will display the numeric keypad for entering the unlock code.
If you have not set a security code, pressing the Home button will immediately display the homonymous screen of the device from where you can continue the discovery of the iPhone features
Step 6. Enter the unlock code using the numeric keypad that appeared at the bottom of the screen
If the code entered is correct, you will be redirected to the iPhone Home.
If you have enabled TouchID to log into your iPhone, you can unlock the device by scanning your fingerprint
Part 2 of 4: Navigating the Home Screen
Step 1. Review the contents of the iPhone Home
The pages of the Home are made up of a series of small square icons that are nothing more than the iPhone applications called "app" in jargon. All the "native" applications of the iPhone, ie those pre-installed on the device at the time of purchase, are listed in the Home.
As you install more applications on your device, more pages will automatically be added to the Home screen. To navigate between the panels that make up the Home screen, simply slide your finger across the screen from right to left
Step 2. Get familiar with native iPhone applications
Here is a list of the most important applications built into the device's iOS operating system:
- Settings - has a gray gear icon. It allows you to access all the configuration settings of the iOS device ranging from the automatic shutdown time of the screen to the options of the Wi-Fi connection;
- Telephone - has a green icon with a white telephone handset inside. Allows you to make a call by manually dialing the telephone number or by selecting one of the contacts in the directory. In the latter case, tap the name of the person you want to call, then select the phone handset icon under the name displayed at the top of the screen;
- Contacts - features an icon depicting a stylized human silhouette. A list of all the contacts in the device's address book will be displayed. The staff of the store where you bought the iPhone may have imported all the contacts in the old phone into the address book, but if not, you will have to import them yourself;
- FaceTime - has a green icon depicting a white video camera. Using this app you have the possibility to make a video call;
- Messages - has a green icon with a white speech bubble. This app allows you to send and receive text messages;
- Mail - has a blue icon with a white envelope inside. It allows you to check and manage your e-mail using your Apple ID (also called iCloud account) or by configuring another e-mail service, such as Gmail or Outlook.com;
- Calendar - this app allows you to view your updated calendar with appointments and events. Use it to keep track of all the activities you need to do at a particular time of day or on a specific date;
- Camera - is characterized by a gray icon with a stylized camera inside. You can use this app to take photos, record videos and create multimedia content (for example slow-motion movies);
- Photo - features a multicolored icon in the shape of a stylized flower. It is where all the pictures stored on the iPhone are kept. Whenever you take a photo, the image will appear within the Photos app;
- Safari - is the iPhone's default browser. It features a blue compass icon. Use this app to browse the web;
- Clock - features an icon depicting the face of an analog clock. Use it to manage the time zone, alarms, timer and stopwatch of the iPhone;
- Notes - is characterized by a yellow icon with a white notebook inside. It is a very useful application for taking notes quickly and easily or for making a to-do list. The Reminders app is also a great tool for creating a list of the more or less urgent tasks you need to do throughout the day or at a specific time;
- Maps - this application allows you to plan a route by providing you with directions to reach the set destination, as if it were a normal GPS;
- Wallet - allows you to store credit and debit card information. In this way you can directly use the iPhone to pay for your purchases made in all the shops that support this payment method;
- App Store - features a blue icon depicting a stylized white "A". It is the point from which you can download and install apps on the iPhone;
- Music - has a white musical note icon. All the music on the iPhone is stored within this app;
- Tips - is characterized by a yellow icon representing a light bulb. This app will give you ideas on how you can make the most of your time using your iPhone.
Step 3. Swipe your finger across the screen from left to right
The iPhone widgets screen will be displayed where you can add widgets that will keep you informed about the weather conditions, the alarms you have set or the most relevant news.
- Move your finger up on the screen, starting from anywhere on the screen, to scroll the content of the current page.
- If you want to perform a targeted search within the iPhone, tap the search bar at the top of the screen and enter the criteria to search for.
Step 4. Swipe your finger across the screen to the left to return to the Home screen
Alternatively, you can press the Home button to quickly access the iPhone Home from anywhere.
Step 5. Swipe your finger down the screen from the top edge
The iPhone notification panel will be displayed where all recent notifications will be present (e.g. missed calls, received messages, etc.)
Step 6. Press the Home button
This will immediately display the iPhone Home screen.
Step 7. Swipe your finger down the screen from the center of the screen
This gesture will bring up the search bar at the top of the screen, along with the list of apps you have used recently. Tap the item Cancel located in the upper right corner of the screen or press the Home button to immediately return to the Home screen.
Step 8. Swipe your finger up the screen from the bottom side
The iPhone "Control Center" will be displayed from which you can manage the following options:
- Use in aircraft - is characterized by an airplane icon and is located in the upper left part of the control panel. Tapping this option will activate the "Airplane use" mode which blocks any type of device connection (cellular, Wi-Fi, etc.). Touch the icon in question again to deactivate the "Airplane use" mode (this operation also applies to all the other items in the control panel);
- Wifi - is characterized by the wireless connection symbol. Tapping this option will activate Wi-Fi connectivity (if the icon is blue, it means that the Wi-Fi connection is already active). In this way you will be able to connect to the wireless networks present in the vicinity;
- Bluetooth - is the icon located in the center of the upper part of the iPhone control panel. Allows you to activate Bluetooth connectivity in order to connect a series of Bluetooth devices to the iPhone, for example loudspeakers;
- Do not disturb - features a moon icon. This option allows you to disable all notifications so that the iPhone does not emit any sound when you receive a call, SMS or text message or application notifications;
- Vertical rotation lock - is characterized by a lock icon surrounded by a circular arrow. This option allows you to lock or unlock the rotation of the screen. If it is red, it means that the rotation of the screen is blocked. Touch it to be able to rotate the screen 90 ° and view photos and videos better;
- At the bottom of the "Control Center" there is a row of options that starting from left to right includes: activation of the flashlight, use of the timer, the calculator and the connection to the Camera app.
Step 9. Press the Home button to immediately return to the Home screen
Now that you are familiar with the elements that characterize the iPhone Home, you can start using the applications you have available.
Part 3 of 4: Using the Applications
Step 1. Tap an app icon
The user interface of the chosen program will be displayed. The way in which you can interact with each application varies according to the functionality and the purpose for which it was created, but in general you will have to touch the elements that make up the interface to be able to activate and use them (for example, touch a text field to do the virtual keyboard of the iPhone appears).
You can download and install new applications using the Apple App Store
Step 2. Double press the Home button
Do it in quick succession. A list of all running or recently used applications will be displayed in a separate window from the app you are using.
- To close a running app, swipe its window up.
- To see the list of currently open apps, swipe the screen left or right.
Step 3. Press the Home button
This way you will be redirected directly to the iPhone Home.
Step 4. Press and hold your finger on an app icon
After about a second the latter will begin to wobble slightly along with all the other icons displayed within the current Home page. At this point you can perform several actions:
- Drag the application in question to change its position within the Home. Dragging it to the right side of the screen will automatically create a new page where you can place the icon. To access the new Home screen panel, swipe left on the screen.
- Drag the icon of the app in question to that of another program. A folder will be created that will contain both applications involved. At this point you will be able to put other applications in the folder as well.
- Touch the baby X located in the upper left corner of the app icon to uninstall it. When prompted, press the button Delete to physically remove the application from the iPhone.
Step 5. Customize your iPhone Home screen as you like
After you have moved, deleted and rearranged all the apps on the Home you will be ready to learn how to make a phone call.
Part 4 of 4: Making a Phone Call
Step 1. Launch the Phone app by tapping the appropriate icon
It is green in color and there is a white telephone handset inside. Normally it is placed on the Home of the iPhone.
Step 2. Go to the "Keyboard" tab
It is located at the bottom of the screen to the right of the "Contacts" option.
Alternatively, you can open the "Contacts" tab, select the name of the person to call and tap the icon to forward the phone call (it has a white handset on a blue background) placed under the contact name displayed at the top of the screen
Step 3. Enter the phone number to call
Use the on-screen numeric keypad to dial the desired number.
Step 4. Press the green and white "Call" button to forward the call
It is located in the center of the bottom of the screen, below the numeric keypad that appeared. The call will be forwarded to the indicated recipient, when the latter answers the phone you can converse normally by placing the iPhone to your ear or you can choose to use one of the following options:
- Speakerphone - iPhone audio output will be changed. The headset at the top of the screen will be deactivated and the built-in speakers will be activated. This way you can conduct the call without having to bring the phone to your ear.
- FaceTime - the nature of the call will change from a simple phone call to a video call. In this way you will be able to see the face of your interlocutor and the latter will be able to see yours. This option is only available if your partner is using an iPhone.
Advice
- Don't be discouraged if it seems like using an iPhone is complicated. Once you discover its features and get used to using them, everything will be more natural.
- If you want, you can also learn how to use the advanced functions of your iOS device, for example Siri, or find out how to replace the SIM card.
