Here's everything you need to know about your new iPhone

Cody Godwin, USA TODAY
·4 min read

New technology can be overwhelming.

There are things you have to tap, things you have to slide, and lots of buttons, or in some cases: no buttons.

Here’s what every new iPhone user needs to know about their new device.

The Basics

First things first, how does this thing turn on?

Hold down the button on the right side of the device to power it on.

If you have an older model, the button might be located on the top of the device.

The power button can also be called the lock button.

Quickly pressing it locks your screen and prevents you from accidentally sending nonsensical texts or phone calls to unknown numbers when you put it in your purse or your pocket.

If you want to take a screenshot of something on your phone, press the lock button and the up volume button at the same time. To see this in action, check out this video.

Once you have your new iPhone turned on, go to the Settings app. This is the one that looks like a gear.

This is where you can customize the settings of your phone and apps, like your notification settings, connect the phone to WiFi, adjust the font size, customize ring tones and so much more.

If you want to turn your phone off, hold the power button and either of the volume buttons at the same time. Then, swipe when prompted.

App-y hour

New phones only come with the apps built onto the device, like Phone, Messages, Calendar and Weather.

To add more apps on your phone,

  1. Open the App Store

  2. Search the app you’re looking for or browse categories in the store

  3. Tap the app to learn more about it, see images from the app, and read reviews

  4. To download a free app, tap “get”

  5. If the app costs money, tap the price

  6. Confirm the download or purchase when prompted

The downloaded app will appear on the next available slot on your home screen.

You can move apps around on your home screen and organize them into folders.

To move apps, press on an app until they all start to wiggle. Then drag and drop it where you want.

You can also move multiple apps at the same time. To do this, press until they wiggle. While touching one app, tap on the additional apps you want to move.

Once you have them all selected, drag and drop them in the desired spot.

If you want to create a group, hover an app over one you want to group it with until a folder forms. Simply add more apps by dropping them into the folder.

Fun features

iPhones have some useful and unexpected features not everyone knows about.

Did you know your iPhone has:

  • A flashlight

Most iPhones have this shortcut on the home screen.

You can also access the flashlight and adjust the brightness in the control center.

To access the control center on most iPhones, swipe down from the upper right hand corner of the screen.

To adjust the flashlight brightness, press on the flashlight icon in the control center and adjust up and down accordingly.

  • The ability to measure and level

Just search “measure” or “level” on your iPhone using the search and follow the onscreen prompts.

  • The ability to read text through the camera

Point your camera at any text, like on a menu, or a sign, and press the symbol that looks like a disconnected square with lines inside that appears within the camera.

This highlights the text and lets you select, copy, paste and translate it.

  • A QR code scanner

Just point your camera at the QR code and tap on the link that pops up.

More problems, solved

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New iPhone? Here's how to turn it on, find apps and other fun features

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