Unboxing the iPhone 16 Pro Max. If you've never used an iPhone before, there steps you have to go to set it up, and then there are things you need to know about how to get the most from it. Here's what Apple doesn't tell you. It is true that Apple devices tend to just work, and it's certainly true that the iPhone is ultimately incredibly easy to use. But when you first hold that piece of glass and metal in your hand, it's a mystery.
And it's a mystery that Apple assumes you will figure out. While there are support pages on Apple's website, those are useless until you're online. Regardless of which iPhone you have, here's what you absolutely have to do to turn it on and set it up. Then here's what you need to know to use it.
Once you've opened that box, got the iPhone out, and pulled that protective cover off the screen, nothing happens. Turn the iPhone so that the screen side is facing you, is vertical, and you can feel that the the camera bump on the back is at top left. Now press and hold the button that's on the rim of the iPhone toward the top right.
This is the sleep/wake button and you need to hold it in until a white Apple logo appears on screen. Then let go and wait. The screen will shortly say "hello" in multiple languages, and you will start to be guided through setting up some essential elements. These are all intended to later on make it quicker and easier to use your iPhone, while hopefully making it impossible for anyone else to take it from you.
Each step works the same way. You're asked a question, or told some information, and then have to make a selection by tapping on a button, or typing in some details. You do not have to do every step, you can elect to do some later. But it's best to do them now.
The very first step is to set what language the iPhone will use. Then you're asked to select your country or region. It's obvious what choosing a language does, but setting the region is significant, too. For instance, it sets whether the iPhone will use metric or Imperial measurements, and whether it shows 12-hour or 24-hour clock.
If this is your second iPhone, or for example you already have an iPad, you've set those devices up before. And Apple will now say that if you have another device, you can use Quick Start. That's a feature that means your new iPhone can just inherit or copy most of these setup details from your other device. It goes a lot further, too, to the extent that your new iPhone gets your Wi-Fi passwords, your contact list, even your apps.
It's also practically magical — you bring the other device near to the iPhone and it works. If you're coming from an Android phone, it's practically as magical, you just have to download an app first. On your Android phone, download Apple's Move to iOS app.
With that installed and open on your old Android phone, then on the Quick Start page, tap Set Up Without Another Device. You'll get a page called Transfer Your Apps & Data, which gives you options to do with where you copy your old data from. One option is From Android and if that's you, connect your iPhone to your old phone with a USB-C cable. Then tap this option.
If this first-ever iPhone, though, and you have no other Apple or Android devices, there's a Don't Transfer Anything button at the bottom of the Quick Start page. Tap that. That takes you next to a page where you need to find and choose your Wi-Fi network. In theory you could do a lot of setting up of your iPhone without an internet connection, but in practice you need one and it's simpler to use Wi-Fi.
The alternative is to use your cellular data plan and you certainly can. But that requires following your carrier's instructions about setting up an eSIM — or an old-style SIM card if you're outside the US. For now, it's quicker to set up using Wi-Fi and that's the option Apple presents you with. Tap to select the right Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and then tap the Join button.
You're going to be asked to sign in to your Apple Account. If you've never had an iPhone or any other Apple device, tap Forgot password or don't have an account?. An Apple Account is important for many reasons, including automatic backing up of your data. Plus if you do have more than one device, then it's through an Apple account that each of them works together so that you get, say, your email on all of them.
It can take a moment for the iPhone to connect to your Wi-Fi, but once it has, you move on to a series of questions. There's enough of them to be a bit tedious, and sometimes they're just statements rather than anything you have to answer. But they are all important, and they concern:.
Depending on your point of view, the Data & Privacy screen that you see first is either an ad about privacy, or a declaration that Apple's on your side. Whichever you think, you do have the option to Learn More, but just nod and tap Continue. Next, there's Face ID, which also needs you to tap Continue, though there is an option to Set Up Later. Do it now.
