Software FAQ's
General
How to arrange or delete apps
This might be the most important thing newbie iPhone users ever learn: you don't have to keep all your apps on the screen in the order you download them. You can arrange them.
Hold down your finger on any icon on the Home screen. It'll start to wiggle and jiggle, and gets a little X in the corner. You tap the X to delete the app (and all the data associated with the app).
But while it's wiggling, you can also move it. Hold and drag it to any spot on the screen—or to the edge of the screen to put it on a new virtual page of the Home screen. You can have as many as 15 virtual pages of apps. To stop the wiggle/jiggle, tap the Home button. Want to organize your apps even more? Use Folders. Hold an icon to get them wiggling, then drag one app icon on top of another. They'll seem to merge as one, and when you let go, you'll see they are in a Folder. Apple will suggest a name (Music, Social, etc.) but you can write your own. To rename a folder later, open it, and hold your finger on the name. Drag more apps to the folder whenever you like. Even the folders get multiple virtual pages, up to 15, so one folder can hold up to 135 apps. To delete a folder, drag all the apps out of it and it'll disappear.
This might be the most important thing newbie iPhone users ever learn: you don't have to keep all your apps on the screen in the order you download them. You can arrange them.
Hold down your finger on any icon on the Home screen. It'll start to wiggle and jiggle, and gets a little X in the corner. You tap the X to delete the app (and all the data associated with the app).
But while it's wiggling, you can also move it. Hold and drag it to any spot on the screen—or to the edge of the screen to put it on a new virtual page of the Home screen. You can have as many as 15 virtual pages of apps. To stop the wiggle/jiggle, tap the Home button. Want to organize your apps even more? Use Folders. Hold an icon to get them wiggling, then drag one app icon on top of another. They'll seem to merge as one, and when you let go, you'll see they are in a Folder. Apple will suggest a name (Music, Social, etc.) but you can write your own. To rename a folder later, open it, and hold your finger on the name. Drag more apps to the folder whenever you like. Even the folders get multiple virtual pages, up to 15, so one folder can hold up to 135 apps. To delete a folder, drag all the apps out of it and it'll disappear.
Communication
What is a contact?
A contact is basically an area where you keep contact information about a person such as their name, phone number, email and address. All of this information is stored securely in the contacts app. You may also add fun options such as customized ring tones for different people.
How do I message a contact?
Once you're in the messages app, go to the top right and tap the icon that looks like a notepad. That should bring up a search bar and in that, you can type the name of whoever you would like to message. Type your message in the field below that says "iMessage," then when you're done press the blue arrow to send.
A contact is basically an area where you keep contact information about a person such as their name, phone number, email and address. All of this information is stored securely in the contacts app. You may also add fun options such as customized ring tones for different people.
How do I message a contact?
Once you're in the messages app, go to the top right and tap the icon that looks like a notepad. That should bring up a search bar and in that, you can type the name of whoever you would like to message. Type your message in the field below that says "iMessage," then when you're done press the blue arrow to send.
Photos
How do I take photos?
All you need to do is find the “Camera” icon on your iPhone’s home screen, open it and then click the circle towards the bottom and middle of the screen. If your iPhone is still on factory settings, meaning you haven’t changed anything around, the Camera app will be positioned on the upper row of icons on the right-hand side.
You can also access the camera from the lock screen. When your phone is locked, double-tap the home button and then you can select the “Camera” icon on the bottom-right corner. To select, put your finger on the icon and flick it towards the top of the screen in an upward motion.
Once the camera is open, point it at whatever you want to capture. The iPhone display will act as your viewfinder as you orient your camera to take the picture. To take a photo, tap the icon that looks like a camera at the bottom of the screen.
If you want to take the photo as a portrait, or vertical, leave your phone upright; to take a landscape, or horizontal, turn your phone to the side and the camera should automatically adjust. If it’s hard to tap the “Camera” icon on the viewfinder, you can also take a photo by pressing the volume up button on the side of your phone.
Sometimes, you might find that when you want to take a photo, your iPhone is in video mode. When you’re in video mode, look toward the bottom of the viewfinder and select the “Camera” icon rather than the “Video” icon.
All you need to do is find the “Camera” icon on your iPhone’s home screen, open it and then click the circle towards the bottom and middle of the screen. If your iPhone is still on factory settings, meaning you haven’t changed anything around, the Camera app will be positioned on the upper row of icons on the right-hand side.
You can also access the camera from the lock screen. When your phone is locked, double-tap the home button and then you can select the “Camera” icon on the bottom-right corner. To select, put your finger on the icon and flick it towards the top of the screen in an upward motion.
Once the camera is open, point it at whatever you want to capture. The iPhone display will act as your viewfinder as you orient your camera to take the picture. To take a photo, tap the icon that looks like a camera at the bottom of the screen.
If you want to take the photo as a portrait, or vertical, leave your phone upright; to take a landscape, or horizontal, turn your phone to the side and the camera should automatically adjust. If it’s hard to tap the “Camera” icon on the viewfinder, you can also take a photo by pressing the volume up button on the side of your phone.
Sometimes, you might find that when you want to take a photo, your iPhone is in video mode. When you’re in video mode, look toward the bottom of the viewfinder and select the “Camera” icon rather than the “Video” icon.
Music
How can I download music?
First, go to the iTunes app. If you cannot find it, you can search it using the the search feature when you scroll all the way over to the left. Next click the search menu in the bottom right. After you are on the search page, you can search for the song you wish to purchase. This will bring up songs with very similar names and you may need to specify your search with things such as the album name or the band name if you do not see it right away. Once you locate the desired song, click the blue box with a price inside it to purchase it. This will prompt you for your Apple ID password. Once you enter it, the song it yours.
How can I play downloaded music?
First, go to the music app, this currently has a white background with a pinkish music note on it. Once you are in the music app, you will see many options. You can sort the songs you own by the artist, the album, or alphabetically. Once you sort through the songs and find the one you desire, just click on it and it will start playing through your phone or if you have speakers connected, it will play through those.
First, go to the iTunes app. If you cannot find it, you can search it using the the search feature when you scroll all the way over to the left. Next click the search menu in the bottom right. After you are on the search page, you can search for the song you wish to purchase. This will bring up songs with very similar names and you may need to specify your search with things such as the album name or the band name if you do not see it right away. Once you locate the desired song, click the blue box with a price inside it to purchase it. This will prompt you for your Apple ID password. Once you enter it, the song it yours.
How can I play downloaded music?
First, go to the music app, this currently has a white background with a pinkish music note on it. Once you are in the music app, you will see many options. You can sort the songs you own by the artist, the album, or alphabetically. Once you sort through the songs and find the one you desire, just click on it and it will start playing through your phone or if you have speakers connected, it will play through those.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth. What is it?
Bluetooth is a wireless way to connect things such as a speaker, headphones, or hearing aids to an iPhone when the two devices are relatively close in proximity
What devices typically have Bluetooth?
There are now many devices that have Bluetooth capabilities. These include devices such as portable speakers, cars, hearing aids, wireless headphones, and basically anything else that is wireless. However you should not assume that something has Bluetooth. We recommend that you check the specifications of your specific model of device to ensure that it has Bluetooth.
How do I add a Bluetooth device to my iPhone?
First go to the settings app. Then click on the Bluetooth menu, this should be one of the first menus. Once you are in this menu you should make sure to have your Bluetooth device turned on and in pairing mode if that is available. You should then be able to click on the device you want under "other devices" and once you do this you will connect to it and it will be located in the my devices section from now on, allowing for easier access in the future.
How do I play music through a Bluetooth device?
This depends on whether you have already connected to that device before. If you have not, follow the steps directly above this question to add a Bluetooth device. If you have already connected to it before, make sure that it is powered on and then open the settings app, scroll down to Bluetooth, and then go to my devices and click on the desired device. You are now connected to that device! Next you can follow our guide on how to play downloaded music above and enjoy some tunes.
Bluetooth is a wireless way to connect things such as a speaker, headphones, or hearing aids to an iPhone when the two devices are relatively close in proximity
What devices typically have Bluetooth?
There are now many devices that have Bluetooth capabilities. These include devices such as portable speakers, cars, hearing aids, wireless headphones, and basically anything else that is wireless. However you should not assume that something has Bluetooth. We recommend that you check the specifications of your specific model of device to ensure that it has Bluetooth.
How do I add a Bluetooth device to my iPhone?
First go to the settings app. Then click on the Bluetooth menu, this should be one of the first menus. Once you are in this menu you should make sure to have your Bluetooth device turned on and in pairing mode if that is available. You should then be able to click on the device you want under "other devices" and once you do this you will connect to it and it will be located in the my devices section from now on, allowing for easier access in the future.
How do I play music through a Bluetooth device?
This depends on whether you have already connected to that device before. If you have not, follow the steps directly above this question to add a Bluetooth device. If you have already connected to it before, make sure that it is powered on and then open the settings app, scroll down to Bluetooth, and then go to my devices and click on the desired device. You are now connected to that device! Next you can follow our guide on how to play downloaded music above and enjoy some tunes.
Specific Apps
Can you invest using the stocks app?
The iPhone stocks app is solely for viewing data. You are able to see information about the stocks but currently you cannot actually trade in the app. If you wish to trade you should download a reputable app such as Robinhood.
The iPhone stocks app is solely for viewing data. You are able to see information about the stocks but currently you cannot actually trade in the app. If you wish to trade you should download a reputable app such as Robinhood.
Web Browsing
How do I browse the internet on my iPhone?
The default app for web browsing on the iPhone is Safari depicted by a compass logo. In the app, just tap the bar at the top of the screen and enter your search query. This functions similar to any other sort of internet browser but is trademarked by Apple and is the default app for iPhones.
The default app for web browsing on the iPhone is Safari depicted by a compass logo. In the app, just tap the bar at the top of the screen and enter your search query. This functions similar to any other sort of internet browser but is trademarked by Apple and is the default app for iPhones.
Hardware FAQ's
What are the buttons on my iPhone?
The single button at the bottom of the screen is called the Home button; it doubles as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and you'll use this button to activate Siri (hold it down) or get to the Home screen(press once). If you're in any app on the phone, a push of this button will take you back to the Home screen.
A quick double-press on the Home opens the App Switcher, which shows you every open app. Swipe up to remove them from App Switcher.
A double-tap (without actually pressing down the button) on iPhone 6s and above moves the top of the screen to the bottom so you can more easily reach apps. Double-tap again to return to normal view.
The iPhone X will not have a Home button. That's a first for iPhone, but Android phones from Samsung, Sony, LG, Google, and Huawei have not had physical home buttons for awhile in order to facilitate edge-to-edge screens.
The button at right side of the iPhone is the Sleep/Wake button (on older model iPhones, it was at the top). Push this button to put the phone into lock mode, where it is dormant to you, but can still take calls, texts, and download info in the background. If you hold down this button, you get the option to shut down the phone completely. You also hold down this button to power it back on. On the left is a toggle button, the Ring/Silent switch, which does exactly that—it moves your phone instantly into a silent, vibrate-only mode. The buttons below it are the volume up/down. Volume buttons can be used as a shutter switch when you're using the iPhone as a camera.
What are the ports on my iPhone?
There are various holes to be found on the iPhone: on the bottom you'll see the speakers, some very tiny microphone holes, and the port for the Lightning connector use to charge the iPhone and connect it to a computer. On the iPhone 6s and earlier, you will see the headphone jack which you can use to plug headphones into.
The single button at the bottom of the screen is called the Home button; it doubles as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and you'll use this button to activate Siri (hold it down) or get to the Home screen(press once). If you're in any app on the phone, a push of this button will take you back to the Home screen.
A quick double-press on the Home opens the App Switcher, which shows you every open app. Swipe up to remove them from App Switcher.
A double-tap (without actually pressing down the button) on iPhone 6s and above moves the top of the screen to the bottom so you can more easily reach apps. Double-tap again to return to normal view.
The iPhone X will not have a Home button. That's a first for iPhone, but Android phones from Samsung, Sony, LG, Google, and Huawei have not had physical home buttons for awhile in order to facilitate edge-to-edge screens.
The button at right side of the iPhone is the Sleep/Wake button (on older model iPhones, it was at the top). Push this button to put the phone into lock mode, where it is dormant to you, but can still take calls, texts, and download info in the background. If you hold down this button, you get the option to shut down the phone completely. You also hold down this button to power it back on. On the left is a toggle button, the Ring/Silent switch, which does exactly that—it moves your phone instantly into a silent, vibrate-only mode. The buttons below it are the volume up/down. Volume buttons can be used as a shutter switch when you're using the iPhone as a camera.
What are the ports on my iPhone?
There are various holes to be found on the iPhone: on the bottom you'll see the speakers, some very tiny microphone holes, and the port for the Lightning connector use to charge the iPhone and connect it to a computer. On the iPhone 6s and earlier, you will see the headphone jack which you can use to plug headphones into.