Getting a new iPhone is always exciting, but when you take it out of the box for the first time, doubts can also arise: what to touch first, how to configure it properly, what data should be transferred And which ones are best left behind… If you're coming from Android or haven't changed your phone in years, it's normal to feel a little lost.
In this guide you will find, step by step, Everything you should do with your new iPhone from minute one: check the box, choose the best way to configure it, take care of the battery, protect your privacy, move your data from another mobile, customize the appearance, adjust notifications, prepare backups and even some tricks to get more out of it on a daily basis.
What's in the box of your new iPhone and what accessories do you need?
When you open the box, you'll see that Apple no longer includes as many accessories as before, so it's worth checking carefully that everything essential is in its place and be clear about what you will have to buy separately.
You will usually find the following in the box of your new iPhone:
- iPhone (the device, obviously).
- USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and data.
- basic documentation and Apple stickers (on some models).
- SIM tray removal tool in models that still include it.
What's missing is just as important: it's no longer included power adapter or headphonesYou'll need to use a USB-C charger you already have at home or buy a compatible one. For the headphones, you can use Any Bluetooth headset, AirPods, or EarPods with an adapted connector will work..
A very practical tip: Keep the box and all original accessoriesThey will be useful if you ever want to sell your iPhone, trade it in for a discount, or have it repaired under warranty and send it well protected.
First power-on: startup and setup wizard
The next step is to turn on your iPhone by pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears. From there, the on-screen assistant will guide you through the process. Configure language, region, text size, and other basic settings.
In the first few minutes you will see screens to adjust accessibility and appearance. You'll be able to choose, for example, if you want Light or dark mode, larger font size or keep the default settings. None of this is permanent: you can change everything later from Settings > Display and brightness or Accessibility.
At some point, the assistant will ask you to connect your iPhone to a network. This is essential to activate the device, sign in with your Apple ID, and, if you wish, Restore a backup from the cloud or from another phone.
To activate your iPhone you can use a Wi-Fi network or mobile dataIf you want to use data from the start, you'll need to have your physical SIM or eSIM active with your operator.
Physical SIM and eSIM: Activate the mobile line correctly
Without a mobile connection there's no WhatsApp, calls, or data outside the home, so it's time to get ready. telephony sectionDepending on your model and your carrier, you will need to use physical SIM card, eSIM, or even multiple lines on the same device.
If your iPhone has a SIM tray:
- Use the metal extraction tool included in the box (or a thin clip if you can't find it).
- Insert the SIM into the tray with the bezel in the correct position.
- Carefully reinsert the tray and wait for the iPhone to detect the network.
If your carrier uses eSIM, the process changes slightly. You will be able to activate the eSIM scanning a QR code which your carrier will have provided or through their official app. The iOS assistant will show you the "Add eSIM" step during setup, or you can do it later in Settings > Cellular.
Keep in mind If you skip the Wi-Fi connection and don't yet have a SIM or eSIM set up, you won't be able to complete some steps (like signing in to iCloud or restoring backups). You can always complete the basics and finish later when your line is active.
Choose Apple ID: use the same one as always or start from scratch
Your Apple account Apple IDIt's the key to the entire ecosystem: App Store, iCloud, Messages, Photos, Search, and much more. Taking a minute to decide which account you're going to use is crucial for avoid problems with purchases, subscriptions and data.
You have three typical scenarios:
- You already had an iPhone, iPad, or MacThe most logical thing to do is use the same Apple ID. This way, your purchases, subscriptions, iCloud photos, notes, calendars, and passwords will all be synced without you having to do anything else.
- This is your first Apple deviceIn the wizard, you can create a new Apple ID using your current email address (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.). An associated @icloud.com email address will also be generated, but you will continue to log in with your primary email address.
- You want a "clean slate" Even if you've had other iPhones before: you can create a new account, but you'll lose access to the apps and content purchased with the old one. Think it through carefully before you do it.
When you log in, it's best to activate it from the start. iCloud for contacts, calendars, notes, Safari, Keychain, and Photos (if the available space fits) and, if applicable, set up in familyThis way, if you later buy an iPad or a Mac, Everything will appear automatically..
If you manage more than one Apple ID, you'll find the option on the login screen to use multiple accounts on the same device for specific services (such as the App Store or iCloud for work), although the recommendation for most users is to simplify and use just one.
Restore or set up as new: how to move your data to your iPhone
Here comes one of the big decisions when getting a new mobile phone: Restore from a backup or start from scratch? iOS offers you several paths depending on where you're coming from.
On the “Transfer your apps and data” screen you will see options such as:
- Quick Start from another iPhone.
- Restore iCloud Backup.
- Restore backup from Mac or PC (using Finder or iTunes).
- Transfer from Android using the Switch to iOS app.
- Do not transfer apps or data to set everything up from scratch.
If you're coming from another recent iPhone, the most convenient method is usually Quick startYou place the old and new drives side by side, point the camera at an animated code, and follow the steps. They'll be copied in just a few minutes. Accounts, settings, apps, photos, home screen…almost everything just as you had it.
If you preferred to make backups in iCloud, simply choose “Restore from iCloud backup”Sign in with your Apple ID and select the desired backup. Your iPhone will download the essentials first and then continue downloading apps and data in the background, so It's normal for battery consumption to be slightly higher during the first few days. while it indexes and installs everything.
For those who kept copies on a computer, the process is similar with Finder (modern macOS) or iTunes (older Windows or macOS). You connect the iPhone via USB-C cable, select the device, and choose “Restore Backup”.
If your previous phone was an Android, Apple has the official app. Move to iOS, available on Google Play. You will need to:
- Install it on your Android device and grant it permissions.
- On the iPhone, on the transfer screen, choose “From Android”.
- Enter the code you see on the iPhone into the Android app.
- Select contacts, messages, photos, calendars, and email accounts that you want to move.
What if you choose "Don't transfer apps or data"? It's the ideal option if your old phone was slow, you had a thousand unused apps, or you want declutter and keep only what you needYou'll gain order, some space, and often a feeling of freshness in the system.
Face ID, Touch ID and passcode: how to lock your iPhone
Security is one of the iPhone's strengths, but only if you properly configure your unlocking methods. The assistant will ask you to configure Face ID (facial recognition) or Touch ID (fingerprint) and a numeric code.
For Face ID, you'll need to move your head in a circle on the screen while the TrueDepth camera captures your face from different angles. It's important to do this in a well-lit area and without covering your face with hats or unusual scarves. Then you can add an "alternative look" in case you want another trusted person to also be able to unlock the phone or if you have very extreme changes in appearance.
On iPhones with Touch ID, the process involves repeatedly pressing your finger (or fingers) on the button so that the sensor... capture different parts of the footprintYou can register more than one finger if you usually hold your phone with two hands.
In addition to biometric data, you will need to create a unlock codeBy default, it's usually 6 digits, but you can choose a longer one, an alphanumeric code, or even a 4-digit code (less recommended). This code will be used when:
- The iPhone restarts or has been locked for many hours.
- The system detects failed attempts with Face ID/Touch ID.
- You are going to change important security settings.
From Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) you can decide what the recognition is used for: unlocking, Apple Pay, App Store purchases, iCloud Keychain passwords, and access to sensitive appsThe most sensible thing to do is to activate it as much as possible to prevent third parties from making purchases or viewing private data.
Privacy settings: what data your iPhone shares and with whom
iOS comes pretty well configured out of the box, but there are some key sections where it's worth pausing for a moment and deciding. what kind of information do you want Apple and its apps to collect about you.
In Settings > Privacy & Security you can control:
- Location services: decide which apps can access your GPS and whether they will always do so, only when in use, or never.
- Analysis and improvements: disable sending iPhone usage data to Apple if you prefer not to share usage statistics, errors, or iCloud details.
- Permissions per app (camera, microphone, photos, contacts, health, etc.).
Within Analysis and improvements You'll see toggles like "Share iPhone Analytics," "Improve Siri and Dictation," and "Share iCloud Analytics." Turning these off significantly limits what Apple can learn about how you use your device, at the cost of not contributing to statistics that help refine the system. If needed, you can reset privacy and security settings.
In Settings > Siri & Search there is another important panel. Crab Learn how you use each app to offer you Smart suggestions in search, lock screen, and notification center. You may:
- Turn off suggestions globally if you find them overwhelming.
- Go through each app individually and uncheck "Learn from this app" if you don't want Siri to analyze your specific usage of, for example, banking or health apps.
It's also a good time to decide what kind of data you're going to upload to iCloud (Photos, Documents, Notes, Health…). Remember that the free tier is only 5 GB and that if you activate iCloud Photos with a large photo library, You will probably need to upgrade your storage plan..
iOS updates and battery mode: getting off to a good start
Many iPhones arrive with a version of iOS that already has pending updates. Before you go crazy installing apps, it's a good idea to... Go to Settings > General > Software Update and check if there is a new version.
Installing the latest versions guarantees you security patches, bug fixes, and new features such as changes to the Control Center or camera improvements. From that same menu, you can enable automatic download and installation so you can forget about it.
Regarding the battery, you'll probably notice slightly higher consumption in the first few days. This is normal: the iPhone is indexing photos, messages, apps, files and learning your usage patternsMany experts recommend letting the first charge almost completely drain and then giving it a gentle charge up to 100% so that the measuring system calibrates properly.
In Settings > Battery you can see the battery health status, battery consumption per app, and activate options such as optimized charging and power saving modesIn recent versions of iOS there is a mode to Adaptive consumption which uses artificial intelligence to reduce the impact of processes you're not using and increase autonomy.
Control center, notifications, and action button
One of the great advantages of modern iOS is how customizable quick access to features has become. the Control Center and the action button You can adapt the iPhone to your everyday usage style.
In current iOS, swiping down from the top right corner (or bottom corner, depending on the model) opens Control Center. From Settings > Control Center you can:
- Remove access that you are not interested in (for example, Compass if you never use it).
- Reorder and resize of the controls to give more prominence to those you use daily.
- Add access to Concentration mode, camera, notes, recorder, home automation C or other third-party apps.
With the latest versions of iOS, you can also create several pages of Control Center and swipe between them, so you could have, for example, one page with home automation access and another with productivity tools.
If your iPhone includes the new action button Instead of the classic mute switch, from Settings > Action button you can decide what it does: mute, open camera, activate focus mode, turn on the flashlight or even execute a custom shortcut that triggers multiple actions at once.
As for notifications, they're key to avoiding being overwhelmed by beeps and banners. In Settings > Notifications you can:
- Choosing whether to Previews are always shown, only shown when the phone is unlocked, or never shown.
- Configure by app whether you want sound, badges on the icon, alerts on the lock screen and in the notification center.
- Select which apps can send you notifications and which cannot, cutting off unnecessary "noise" at the root.
A useful trick is to take some time on the first day to review each app individually and leave it alone. Messaging notifications, banking, important emails, and a few other thingsThe rest, either outside or only in the notification center without sound alerts.
Personalize your iPhone: screens, icons, widgets, and ringtones
Once you have your iPhone up and running and secure, the fun part begins: leave it to your liking so that it truly feels like yours.
From Settings > Wallpaper you can choose static, dynamic or Live images, use photos from your camera roll and even configure different lock screens with clock styles, colors, and widgetsIt is possible to have several saved backgrounds and switch between them with a long press on the lock screen.
For the most obsessive neat freaks, iOS now allows customize app iconsYou can adjust their color to match the background or even use semi-transparent icons. You also have the option to hide entire pages of your home screen and keep only one or two well-organized ones, using the App Library to access the rest.
The widgets They allow you to display information in large format without opening apps: weather, calendars, tasks, photos, battery, music, etc. To add them, press and hold on an empty space on the screen until the icons start to jiggle, then tap the + symbol. You can choose the size (2x2, 2x4, or large) and place them wherever you like.
You can also change the sounds from Settings > Sounds and vibrations, by choosing Different tones for calls, messages, emails, and notificationsAnd even assign specific tones to specific contacts to know who's calling without looking at the screen.
Installing and organizing apps: what to do with pre-installed apps
The iPhone comes with many pre-installed apps (Maps, Mail, Notes, Stocks, Podcasts, etc.), but you're not required to keep them all. Press and hold an app icon and choose “Delete app” to uninstall it completely or “Remove from home screen” to hide it and only have it appear in the App Library.
Once you've done your cleanup, it's time to head to the App Store and download. the apps you actually useSocial networks, banks, office suites, messaging, music, home automation, etc. From the "Today" tab you will see recommendations and themed compilations, and from "Apps" you can explore categories.
If you're coming from Android and miss specific apps from Google or Microsoft, almost all of them have an iOS version: Gmail, Google Maps, Google Photos, Drive, OneDrive, Outlook… By logging in with your usual accounts, you can keep your calendars, contacts, emails, and documents up to date as if nothing had changed.
Organize your apps into folders by dragging one icon on top of another. This way you can have, for example, one folder for work, another for leisure, one for banks and avoid cluttered screens.
Photos, camera and grid: initial adjustments to improve your images
If you enjoy taking photos, there are a couple of settings worth tweaking from the start. In Settings > Camera you can activate the “Grid”which overlays guide lines in the viewfinder. These aren't saved in the final photo, but they help you keep the horizon straight and apply the famous rule of thirds for better framing.
You can also adjust formats (HEIF / JPEG), video qualityHDR and other parameters for balancing image quality, storage space used, and compatibility if you then plan to edit or share those photos on computers and other mobile devices.
In Settings > Photos, decide if you want to use ICloud PhotosIf you enable this feature, your entire photo library will sync across Apple devices using your iCloud storage. It's incredibly convenient for having your photos readily available on your iPad or Mac, but keep in mind that with a large number of photos and videos, upgrading your storage plan will be almost essential.
Backups, Find My iPhone, and continuity with other devices
With so much setup in place, the last thing you want is to lose everything due to carelessness, theft, or a mistake. That's where these tools come in. Find My iPhone and Automatic Backups to iCloud.
In Settings > Find My, you can turn on "Find My iPhone." This allows you to:
- View the device's last known location on a map.
- Do what to beep Turn the volume up all the way if you've lost it somewhere in the house.
- Lock it or remotely erase its contents in case of theft or loss.
In the iCloud section, go to “iCloud Backup” and turn on the option. This way, while your iPhone is connecting to iCloud, your backup will be automatically backed up to your device. Wi-Fi, plugged into the power outlet and with the screen lockedIt will perform regular backups of your apps, data, and settings. From there, you can also force a manual backup with "Back up now."
If you also have a Mac, an iPad, or even a PC with iCloud for Windows, you can take advantage of continuity features such as Handoff, universal clipboard, calls and SMS on Mac, Safari sync, Notes and RemindersIt's all about using the same Apple ID on your primary devices.
After completing all these steps, your new iPhone will be ready to withstand the rigors of daily life, keeping your data safe, key functions properly configured, and providing an environment that adapts to how you work, communicate, and entertain yourself. From here, it's a matter of calmly exploring and discovering features like Siri, AirDrop, Shortcuts, and the Tips app to fine-tune every detail and get the most out of what your iPhone has to offer.
