8 Things to Do After Buying a New iPhone
Unboxing a brand-new iPhone and setting it up for the first time is truly a joyful experience for Apple fans. But to tell you the truth: that’s just scratching the surface. From enabling essential modes to customizing the Home Screen and Lock Screen, there’s a lot to play around with on an iPhone.
Here, we’ll be covering a checklist of eight essential actions you must perform to ensure your experience with your new iPhone is personalized, secure, and seamless.
1. Configure Your iPhone’s Display
Customizing your iPhone’s display settings is one of the first things you need to do after booting it up for the first time and going through the initial setup. Head toSettings > Display & Brightness. From here, you’re able to switch between light and dark modes or set them to change automatically depending on the time of day.
You might want to turn onTrue Toneas well, a feature that automatically adjusts display colors and lighting based on ambient lighting around you. This ensures that you’re always viewing colors on the screen as they truly are.
If you want to protect your eyesight, considersetting a schedule for Night Shift. This feature acts as a blue light filter as it changes the color temperature of the screen to warmer colors.
2. Check Service and Support Coverage
A brand-new or Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone comes with a standard one-year warranty. However, if your iPhone is used, chances are it has expired, or you have a few months if you’re lucky.
To check, go toApple’s Device Coverage pageand enteryour Phone’s serial number. If your iPhone is brand-new, you’ll also have the option to upgrade tothe AppleCare+ warrantywithin 60 days of your purchase if you didn’t purchase it with your device.
3. Heighten Your iPhone’s Security
Security is just as important as the rest of the features. Navigate toSettings >Face ID & Passcode(orTouch ID & Passcodefor older models) to set up and configure biometric authentication. You can also use Face ID or Touch ID for authorizing App Store purchases, Password AutoFill, and ApplePay transactions.
Also, set up Find My on your iPhone fromSettings > [Your Name] > Find Myto help you track your device if it gets lost or stolen. You can check in on the location of all your Apple devices using this app as long as they share the same Apple ID. If you only own an iPhone, you canuse iCloud on the web from any devicewhen you lose it.
4. Limit Ad Tracking
Next, take advantage of the advertising settings on your iPhone to bolster your privacy. Navigate toSettings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertisingand make sure thePersonalized Adssetting is turned off.
Then, make sure that theAllows Apps to Request to Trackis turned on as well. This feature limits certain apps from tracking your location and usage patterns. It’s enabled by default, but you may turn it on or off by going toSettings > Privacy & Security > Tracking.
When turned on, every time you launch a newly downloaded app, you’ll get a pop-up asking if you want to limit the app’s tracking functionality.
5. Utilize iCloud Backups
If you’re deep into the Apple ecosystem, iCloud is the best cloud storage and backup solution by far. Go toSetting > [Your Name] >iCloudand find theiCloud Backupsetting. If it’s enabled, your iPhone will automatically back up your data daily when it’s locked, charging, and connected to Wi-Fi.
You can configure which apps you want to enable for backup within the iCloud settings page. When you sign up for iCloud, you automatically get 5GB of free storage. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough for most people, so you may want toupgrade your iCloud storage plan.
6. Explore the App Store
While iOS can do a lot on its own, there are many actions it can’t perform natively. Therefore, you’ll often have to rely on third-party apps to solve this issue. From password managers to budget trackers, there are a lot of greatapps you should install on your new iPhone.
For example, iCloud Keychain is an excellent way to manage all your passwords for various accounts. However, it lacks cross-platform support, meaning you’ll need an app like1PasswordorBitWardenif you own a Windows PC or Android tablet. Likewise, the built-in Files app is a bit limited, but many third-party alternatives give you more customization options.
7. Take Advantage of Accessibility Features
YouriPhone has several accessibility featuresthat help you interact with it better, which is especially important if you suffer from any physical disabilities or discomforts that hinder your phone usage. For example,VoiceOveris a feature that makes the iPhone easier to use for the visually impaired.
AssistiveTouch, on the other hand, gives you a virtual Home button paired with various other actions and is perhaps the most popular accessibility feature. There are other simpler features such asZoomandLarger Text. You can view all these features and more by navigating toSettings > Accessibility.
8. Personalize Home and Lock Screens
In the past, iOS was heavily criticized for having a more “locked-down” software approach compared to Android. A lot of that has changed with recent iOS releases, specifically iOS 16. You can nowcustomize your iPhone’s Lock Screenby adding widgets, depth effects, font changes, and more.
Likewise, you’re able to alsocustomize the iOS Home Screenwith widgets and custom app icons to give your iPhone a more personalized look. The possibilities are endless, and you’ll find a lot of different themes and customization apps floating around on the App Store.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your iPhone
You have several options to customize your iPhone experience and make it better. It’s great that recent versions of iOS have opened the door to customization. While there are other more obvious steps you should take, such as applying a screen protector and maybe getting a wireless charger, these tips are a good place to get started.
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