Skip to content
Setup Companion

Set up your new iPhone

What does this screen mean? What happens if I skip it? Can I change it later? Every setup screen explained in Apple's own words — then what to do in the first hour, day and week.

New iPhone setup — % complete of 26

Apple What the screen means, what happens if you skip it and anything else worth knowing — quoted, with a link to the page.

Change it later Where the setting lives after setup, from the verified Settings Pathfinder.

Osnivo tip Our own plain-language advice, kept separate from Apple's words.

Setup screens

The first 15 minutes — what each screen means

  1. Apple: “If you're blind or have low vision, you can turn on VoiceOver or Zoom from the Hello screen.”

    Apple also says: “To enable VoiceOver during setup, press the side button or top button three times. Then wait for the announcement that VoiceOver is on.”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  2. Apple: “Select your preferred size for text and icons: Default, Medium, or Large.”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  3. Apple: “If you have another iOS device, you can use it to automatically set up your new device with Quick Start.”

    Apple also says: “Quick Start occupies both devices, so make sure that your devices have been updated to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS and choose a time when you won't need to use your current device for several minutes.”

    Osnivo tip No old iPhone or iPad? Choose Set Up Without Another Device — that is also the way in for moving from Android.

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗ Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad ↗

  4. Apple: “You need to connect to a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network to activate and continue setting up your device.”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  5. Apple: “Choose whether to set up your iPhone for you or for a child.”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  6. Apple: “Follow the onscreen instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID to use face recognition or your fingerprint to unlock your device and make purchases.”

    Change it later: Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Set up Face ID Change it later: Settings → Touch ID & Passcode → Add a Fingerprint

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  7. Apple: “Next, set a six-digit passcode to help protect your data. You need a passcode to use features like Face ID, Touch ID, and Apple Pay.”

    Apple also says: “If you'd like a four-digit passcode, custom passcode, or no passcode, tap Passcode Options.”

    Change it later: Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Turn Passcode On

    Osnivo tip Osnivo would keep a passcode: without one, Apple says Face ID, Touch ID and Apple Pay are not available.

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  8. Apple: “Choose how you want to restore or transfer your data from your old device to your new device. You can use an iCloud backup or a backup made from your computer, or move data from an Android device.”

    Apple also says: “If you already finished setup, you need to erase your iOS device and start over.”

    Osnivo tip Decide here: the From Android option is part of setup, so it is easiest to choose it now.

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗ Move from Android to iPhone or iPad ↗

  9. Apple: “Enter the email address or phone number that you use with your Apple Account, then enter your password.”

    Apple also says: “Or tap "Forgot password or don't have an Apple Account?" From there, you can recover your Apple Account or password, create an Apple Account, or set it up later.”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  10. Apple: “Automatically Install: When an update is available, iPhone downloads and installs it overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi. You’re notified before an update is installed.”

    Change it later: Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗ iPhone User Guide: Update iOS on iPhone ↗

  11. Apple: “You'll be asked to set up or enable services and features, like Siri. On some devices, you'll be asked to speak a few phrases so that Siri can get to know your voice.”

    Change it later: Settings → Siri → Requests → “Siri” or “Hey Siri”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  12. Apple: “Tap on Light or Dark to see a preview of how your iPhone adjusts. Tap Auto to have your iPhone automatically switch based on the time of day.”

    Change it later: Settings → Display & Brightness → Dark

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  13. Apple: “Follow the onscreen instructions to set up Screen Time, which gives you insight into how much time you and your kids spend on your devices. It also lets you set time limits for daily app use.”

    Change it later: Settings → Screen Time → Manage Screen Time → Turn On App & Website Activity

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  14. Apple: “Learn about the data you can share with Apple and choose whether to share data with app developers.”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

  15. Apple: “If you set up an iPhone 14 or later (all models), learn about safety features like Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS via Satellite in select countries.”

    Set up your iPhone or iPad ↗

First hour

Security, account and backup

  1. Apple: “Before you can use the Find My app to locate a lost iPhone, you need to connect the device to your Apple Account.”

    Apple also says: “Your iPhone also includes a feature called Activation Lock that prevents anyone else from activating and using your device, even if it’s completely erased.”

    Change it later: Settings → [your name] → Find My → Find My iPhone

    iPhone User Guide: Add your iPhone to Find My ↗

  2. Apple: “iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone daily when iPhone is connected to power, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi.”

    Change it later: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup

    iPhone User Guide: Back up iPhone ↗

  3. Apple: “Stolen Device Protection prevents the person from performing critical device and Apple Account operations (like changing your device passcode or Apple Account password).”

    Apple also says: “If you don’t see Stolen Device Protection, you may need to set up Face ID or Touch ID first.”

    Change it later: Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Stolen Device Protection

    iPhone User Guide: Use Stolen Device Protection on iPhone ↗

  4. Apple: “A Medical ID provides information about you that may be important in an emergency, like allergies, medical conditions, and your emergency contacts.”

    Apple also says: “Set up a Medical ID in the Health app.”

    iPhone User Guide: Set up and view your Medical ID ↗

Day one

Recommended configuration

  1. Apple: “Use Safety Check to periodically review and update information you share with people, apps, and devices.”

    iPhone User Guide: Manage information sharing with Safety Check on iPhone ↗

  2. Apple: “When iCloud Photos is turned on, the photos and videos you take are uploaded automatically and stored in their original format at full resolution.”

    iPhone User Guide: Back up and sync your photos and videos with iCloud ↗

First week

Discover and optimise

  1. Apple: “Focus is a feature that helps you concentrate on a task by minimizing distractions.”

    Change it later: Settings → Focus

    iPhone User Guide: Set up a Focus on iPhone ↗

  2. Apple: “With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send photos, videos, documents, and more to a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac.”

    Apple also says: “Transfers are encrypted for security, and the recipient can accept or decline each transfer as it arrives.”

    iPhone User Guide: Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices ↗

  3. Apple: “Use the Wallet app to keep your eligible credit and debit cards, passes, transit cards, identity cards, keys, and more—all in a secure and convenient place.”

    Apple also says: “Apple Wallet, Apple Pay, and their features aren’t available in all countries or regions.”

    iPhone User Guide: Set up cards and passes in Wallet on iPhone ↗

  4. Apple: “The Shortcuts app lets you automate tasks you do often with just a tap or by asking Siri.”

    iPhone User Guide: Use Shortcuts to automate tasks on iPhone ↗

  5. Apple: “Continuity features are built directly into your devices’ operating systems and many of the apps you use every day. There’s no additional app you need to install—just sign in to the same Apple Account on each device to get started.”

    iPhone User Guide: Use Continuity to work across Apple devices ↗

Find any other setting

Settings Pathfinder: the exact path for your version.

Is it up to date?

Should I Update? checks the version it shipped with.

What can it run?

Compatibility Checker: releases and features by model.

Sources for this page

Spotted something outdated? Tell us