Holiday season 2021 kicked off with a bang. With Apple celebrating the holidays at its physical and virtual stores all around the world, launching the Holiday Gift Guide alongside personalised holiday cards, a significant number of users opted to initiate their journey with the Apple ecosystem. For that matter of fact, X-Mas 2021 alone saw a considerable hike in the number of new iPad owners.

While long-time users usually know how to toggle around the different iPad features, scenes get complicated for first-time owners. To help them get off to a great start, I’ve compiled the list of the 11 best tips with which they can enhance the overall productivity of their iPad.

Before we begin: sort out all the protective needs

Before you start operating on the new iPad, you must be done checking all the protective needs. Start by safeguarding your device against accidental damages. Get yourself a hard protective cover alongside screen protectors that can ensure all-around safety, at least from the external end.

Here are some top-class leather cases and paper like screen protectors designed to serve the purpose of keeping iPads safe without harming the premium nature.

Getting the external security sorted isn’t enough, as it is equally vital to safeguard your iPad and its content from the inside as well. What I’m trying to say is that you should consider using the passcode, face unlocks, or whatever features Apple provides to shield all the personal information that your iPad holds.

Now that you’ve all the basic security needs checked, it is time I walk you through the tips that can help you bring the most out of your new iPad. But before doing that, Are you new to the Apple ecosystem? If yes, you need to check out our beginner’s guide to set up an iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro in the most promising manner.

11 tips to make the most out of your new iPad

Keeping Your iPad’s Screen Clean

No one really likes having a cluttered iPad‌ Home Screen with apps sitting in an ill-mannered way. Although you’ve got the option to rearrange everything manually, little we intend to invest time doing that. Luckily, there exists an easy and effective way out.

I’m talking about the App Library, which was made available on the ‌iPad‌ alongside the iPadOS 15. With the help of the App Library, Apple ensured that users could have instant access to the list of well-organized apps on their ‌iPad without creating a mess.

Getting started with the App library is pretty straightforward; all you need to do is swipe all the way to the end of your ‌Home Screen‌ pages. App Library is an automatic utility that organizes all the available apps into varied categories like Entertainment, Health, Social Media, Games and prepares them for instant access.

Pro Tip: Deleting your ‌ Home Screen ‌ pages in bulk or getting them rearranged can be painful if the appropriate approach is unknown. However, once you know how it is done, it’s hard to find yourself in trouble again; here is what you’ll need to do:

• Find and long-press on an empty area of the ‌Home Screen‌.
• After that, tap on the row of dots located at the bottom of the display.
• From there, you can tap on the checkmark followed by clicking the “-” icon to delete them or simply drag ‌the Home Screen‌ pages to rearrange them.

Get the Control Center Organized

Are you done organizing your iPad home screen already? Well then, it is time you set up the Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of your home screen to get yourself inside the Control Center.

It loads up with shortcuts that come in handy every day. From adjusting the brightness and Volume to turning the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on and off, there is a lot you can do. You can also effortlessly customize the Control Center and choose the shortcuts that you want to have at your fingertips.

• Launch the Settings app.
• Navigate to Control Center on the side menu.
• Add or Remove controls as your desire to make the window more organized.

Dragging Texts Between Apps

In case you don’t know, iPad users can move text from one app to another simply employing the drag and drop gesture. So instead of just copying and pasting text to and from apps, you can simply select a desired block of text and drag the same to another app seamlessly. Sounds interesting, right? Let’s now see how you can do it.

• Start off by long pressing and selecting the text that you wish to move from one app to another.
• Once done, drag and adjust the two little bars for getting the exact section of the text selected.
• While you’re on the highlighted text, long press to pull it up from the current page.
• Make sure to keep one of you your finger on the text while using the other to launch up the desired app to which you want to transfer the text.
• As soon as you navigate to that app, release your finger, and the selected text will get pasted over.

Taking Notes at Will Using the Quick Notes Feature

As the name suggests, Quick Notes is an amazing feature designed to help users take down notes without even launching the Notes app. No matter whether you own an Apple Pencil or not, you can access it at any instance by simply employing a quick gesture.

Whether you are on your Home Screen ‌ on inside an app, swipe up diagonally from the very right-hand corner of the screen and launch Quick Notes. There are other ways of accessing Quick Notes:

• Tapping on the Notes icon
• Using the Globe key + Q keyboard shortcut
• Tapping the Apple Pencil on the ‌iPad’s locked screen
• As soon as you make your way inside Quick Notes, you can take down your notes or simply write them down with ‌Apple Pencil‌.
• In case you wish to hide the Quick Note utility, all you need to do is swipe to collapse it back to the side.
• Once you’re finished writing your pieces of stuff down, click on the option that says “Done.”

Are you having trouble using Quick Notes? Here is how you can fix it.

Translating Texts On the Go

Just how Apple made dragging texts between apps seamless, the iPad owners are also blessed by a system-wide translation feature with which they can select a text located anywhere on the ‌iPad‌ screen and get it translated right away.

With this feature, you can effortlessly translate content that sits on your iPad. Bringing the Live Text functionality makes the on-the-go translations even more efficient as it automatically recognizes all of the text in photos and translates that. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the feature works as long as there is an active internet connection.

• At first, you’ll need to select the desired text by long-pressing it. Make sure to adjust the blue bars and select the exact section of the text.
• Once you’re done, gently tap on the selected text.
• From the bar that pops up, look for the option that says “Translate” and tap on it.
• Now, wait for a few seconds for the translated text to appear on a small window that usually sits to the side.

Using Text Shortcuts

Are you someone who tends to use the same texts quite often? If that is so, it is quite evident for you to fall in love with the Text Replacement feature. With this feature, you can type in just a few characters and let your device automatically replace them with the desired full text.

• Navigate to Settings, and tap Auto-Correction.
• From there, turn on the Text Replacement.
• After that, click on the Replacements List, then tap on the + icon.
• You’ll then come across a Phrase field where the desired word or phrase should be typed in.
• Now inside the Shortcut field, type the letters or the characters you want to trade the replacement with.
• Click on the option that says Save.
• In case you fail to find the Save button, try employing a different combination of characters.
• Finally, tap on the outside section of the controls to close them.

Employing Widgets for Seamless Operations

Widgets are of great utility as it displays the current information from all your favorite apps at a glance. From top-notch headlines to weather reports, from calendar events to even battery levels, you can use widgets on your iPad and keep all the desired information at your fingertips. There are indeed a number of apps, both from Apple and third-party sources, that come with widgets to place on the iPad ‌Home Screen‌ or get them viewed from the Today screen.

• Firstly, hold down and long press on any empty space on the ‌Home Screen‌ until you see the icons are wiggling.
• Now find and tap the “+” button that appears on the upper left-hand corner of your iPad’s display.
• Scroll your way through the widget suggestions to find a specific widget, or you can simply search for it.
• As soon as you find the widget you want, tap on it.
• After that, you’ll need to swipe through the various customizable options.
• Once you’re done customizing the widget, tap on the option that says “Add Widget.”
• It will then get placed on your ‌Home Screen‌, from where you can desirably drag it to finalize the position.
• Finally, hit “Done.”

Related: A Guide to iPadOS 15 Widgets and Home Screen Layout Customization

Taking and Editing Screenshots

There is no denying that screenshots nowadays are everywhere. From bragging about the maximum finishes that you’ve achieved in your last PUBG encounter to reminding someone about the promises they made through text messages, screenshots are there for the rescue. But do you know how you can use your iPad for capturing a screen session? Well, here is how:

Taking screenshots on iPad Pro the Old Way:

• Start off by navigating to the very screen that you want to capture.
• Once done, press the Sleep/Wake button and the Volume Up button at the same time.
• Wait for the screen to flash white and confirm that the screenshot has been taken.

Using Apple Pencil to Take Screenshots:

• Navigate to the web page or app that you wish to capture.
• Take the Apple Pencil and place it on one of the bottom corners of the screen (either on the left or on the right)
• Now drag it towards the center without clicking any button, and it will simply save a screenshot.

Once you’re done capturing the section of your iPad’s screen, it will wait at the bottom left corner for a few seconds and disappear. However, clicking on it before it fades away will let you inside the Instant Markup Mode, where you can flexibly edit the captured image.

Apart from the usual marker, highlighter, pencil, eraser, or the Magic Rope that helps annotate your screenshot, there are four additional tools that the Instant Markup Mode brings to the table. These tools will let you add a text field, create a signature, and use call-outs on your screenshots.

Improving Productivity with a Keyboard and Pencil

As CNBC put it, the latest Apple iPad, especially the M1 iPad Pro makes for a fitting replacement the traditional laptop. However, to bring it up to speed, you would need the Apple Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil (or apt replacements to it).

Setting up Apple iPad Magic Keyboard

Starting off with the Apple Magic Keyboard, here’s how you set it up on your brand-new iPad:

• Firstly, put your Magic Keyboard on a flat surface. Ensure the placement is so oriented that the “hinge” remains away from you, and the “Apple” logo is facing upwards.
• After that, open the lid.
• Continue opening the lid until it sets at your desired angle or the point to which the lid resists to extend further.
• Now it is time to place your iPad Pro on the Magic Keyboard. The rear lenses should be placed at the top left corner to fit through the case’s cut-outs.

Here’s a detailed guide on the iPad Magic Keyboard, and if you aren’t a fan and would rather go for a third-party keyboard, we’ve handpicked some excellent Magic Keyboard alternatives for iPad for you to look at.

Setting up the Apple Pencil

A versatile tool for notetaking, sketching, and everything in between, the Apple Pencil has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. Setting up the first-generation or the second-generation Apple Pencil with the iPad is identical, and here’s how you do it:

For Second Gen Apple Pencil – All you need to do is place the Apple Pencil to the side of the magnetic connector. The stylus will not only automatically attach to the side, but also pair up with the iPad almost instantaneously.

For First Gen Apple Pencil – For the older iPad models that don’t support the newer Apple Pencil, the first-generation will do just fine. All you need to do is remove the rear cap of the stylus, plug in the Lightning port into the iPad and it should automatically be detected and paired.

However, if you feel the hefty price tag of the Apple Pencil is more than what a stylus is worth, we have gathered a bunch of cheap Apple Pencil alternatives for iPad that are just as good.

Turn Off Features that Can Eat Up your Device’s Battery Real Quick

Most of the iPads usually last around 10-12 hours straight after getting fully charged. However, the numbers can see serious alterations if you choose to continue using the features that are known to eat up the device’s battery. Here are a few things that will help maintain the long usage sessions of your iPad:

• Adjust the brightness of your device as per the requirements.
• Make sure the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned off when not in use.
• Avoid setting long durations for your iPad to go to sleep.

Using Split View

Split View or Split Screen functionality is a brilliant way to work with two apps side by side. It works similar to the text dragging feature we’ve mentioned before, with a slight difference.

Here you’ll need to drag the desired app from the dock to the right-hand edge of your home screen while operating the other app. Once you let it go, both apps should start running side by side.

Keep in Mind: Split Screen is currently available on the iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4, and later.

FAQs

What should I do first with a new iPad?

The very first thing that you need to do after owning a new iPad is to make sure it is shielded against all sorts of external damages. Get yourself the best-in-business protective cases alongside the promising screen protectors. Next up, restore your device to an old backup if you have one. After that, arrange the home screen widgets and set up your workstation as per your need.

How to backup my iPad?

Making sure to back up the essential data on your iPad is one of the most crucial parts is, in some cases, more important than the iPad itself. Apple allows users to choose from either automatic or manual backup, either to a computer, or directly to the iCloud servers. Whether you want to backup the iPad without iTunes wirelessly, or looking for a way to sync and backup your iPhone to iPad, we have detailed guides to walk you through the process.

Keep reading

Bringing the best out of any device depends highly on how you intend to use it, and the scenes are no different with iPads. In this article, I’ve walked you through the 11 most effective tips that can help you bring the most out of your new iPad. Apart from the ones discussed, you can engage in some other promising activities like clearing off browser caches in regular intervals, ensuring you don’t wait for your iPad’s battery to die out until you charge, managing your device’s storage, and more.

Make sure you invest your time reading Beginner’s Guide to set up an iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro in the most promising manner if you haven’t already. Trust me; it will boost the overall usability of your iPad to the next level.

Who are you, and what do you do?

I am Trun, and I am a student pursuing my B.tech degree in Computer Science. I have never owned an iPhone before and have always been an Android user for my entire life. I might tell you that this was due to reasons such as “I love customization and Android is better than IOS when it comes to installing themes” or “iPhone doesn’t give you the same freedom that the Android phones offer to their users”. But the truth is I couldn’t justify to my parents for letting me buy an iPhone when they knew I could buy an Android phone for just fewer than 15,000 rupees. It wasn’t a big deal for me too back then, but everything changed when I got an iPad as a present from my uncle.

It wasn’t the first time for me to use an iPad as I had held one before at my friend’s house, and as a kid, I was thrilled to see my friends play games on such a big screen. It always made me wish to have one myself. Maybe the gods heard me this time, and I finally had one. I never really used the iPad to its full potential because it was the first time my entire family had owned an Apple product, and we treated it like a newborn baby. But as we all know, the value of anything only decreases after a certain period. Within a few months, I was allowed to do all kinds of stuff with the iPad, and I could say that this was the start of an Industrial Revolution life.

What is your current iPad setup?

The iPad that I got was the space grey Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch (1st Gen). It was back in 2016 and was the latest iPad with such a giant screen. I also received an Apple pencil along with it, which made it look even more incredible. It was a stylus made by Apple just for its iPad and was released along with the iPad Pro model. I instantly became popular among my peers, which made me understand the power of owning an Apple product. The best part was I also had the Magic Keyboard, which gave me the vibes of owning a Macbook when I connected it with my iPad.

The one thing that every person owning an Apple product has is the fear of breaking it. I knew that even better because having an expensive item that was bigger than the size of my hands means the possibility of me dropping it was sky-high. Thus the first order of business was to buy a case and a screen protector. The cover I purchased for my iPad was the ProCase cover, which was decent enough and protected my iPad well. I don’t remember the brand of the screen protector that I bought, but I do remember buying it on Amazon along with the case for the iPad. I didn’t buy any fancy grips for my Apple pencil as I wasn’t using it too much initially, which was pretty much my entire iPad setup.

What apps do you use the most and why?

In the beginning, I was fascinated by this one app called “Garage Band”, which was one of the default apps that were present on my iPad. I almost spent most of my time trying out all the different instruments present in it.  The idea of playing the piano or a guitar all in a single app back then made me love Garage Band. I know that there were similar apps on Android, but none gave me the excitement that I found when using this app on the iPad.

I also love watching movies and videos, which made me love my iPad even more due to its 12.9-inch screen. It was perfect for me to binge watch hours of series on my bed which you can tell by the fact that I had all three Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hotstar on my iPad (none of them was my account, by the way, LOL).

The final app that I spent hours together was “Fortnite”, a game that was so popular that I wanted to try it out so bad. Fortunately, it was available for the iPad Pro, and it was free too. One of the issues that I faced when playing on the iPad was the screen size, which seems ironic because I loved the iPad mainly for its large display. Overall, it was an entertaining game, and I enjoyed playing it on my iPad.

How are you using your iPad in a day to day life?

I wanted to do something productive during this pandemic, and I came to know about an app called “Procreate”, which was popular among the artist community. Plus, I had an Apple pencil and never really used it, which made me question my existence. I also had a thing for arts and creative kinds of stuff, so at the end of 2020, I invested 10 dollars in Procreate and started my journey to become a professional digital artist. So far as to say, this was one of the best investments I made because of how much procreate helped me visualize my creativity. It has so many features, and along with the pressure sensitivity and palm rejection features of the Apple pencil, I felt like drawing on paper.

 I use the iPad mainly for two things, watching movies on Netflix and exploring my creativity using Procreate. Other than that, I also spend a significant amount of time on Youtube.

What are the things that you love and hate on your iPad?

I wouldn’t say I liked the camera and that I had to pay for almost everything if I wanted to use anything on the iPad like the Apple TV or the iTunes.

The other problem that I faced was the storage because I only had the 32 GB iPad model. It was a huge deal breaker as I had to delete or offload certain apps to save some memory for playing Fortnite due to their constant updates.

[ Related: iPad Out of Storage Space? Tips and Apps to Clean iPad Memory ]

But there were millions of reasons why I love my iPad: the first and foremost is its beautiful 12.9-inch LED display. Apple also supports various exclusive apps such as Procreate and Things, a productivity app/to-do list. I wouldn’t have been able to try out these apps or watch “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” on Netflix if it weren’t for my iPad, which in some ways had changed my life a lot.  Also, the amount of security that Apple provides for their users is unmatched. I am telling this for two main reasons; the first is because every time I need to install an app, either free or premium, I need to use my Touch Id, which means there is no way for anyone else to access my iPad or try to purchase something without my knowledge. The second one is due to the reason that I can stop apps from tracking me by going to Settings > Privacy > Tracking. Meaning I have the freedom not to have to sell my data whenever I use an app, which no other OS provides for their users.

Finally, I can’t brag enough about the most remarkable thing Apple is known for, which is its years of support and constant updates. It s been five years, and my iPad is still in better condition than my phone and has the latest iPadOS, which is the same OS available on the latest iPad Pro (5th Gen).  The battery performance may not still be the same as it once was, but still, the processor is powerful enough for me to run apps like Fortnite and Procreate.

Did you ever felt the need to jailbreak your iPad?

At times, I often felt that I wanted to jailbreak my iPad, which can give me access to many features and access to install apps from third-party websites. But the problem is I didn’t want to do this since I love Apple for its security, and by doing so, I can make my iPad prone to viruses and malware. Plus, Apple still supports my iPad, and the fact that I wouldn’t be able to claim any warranty makes me less interested in doing so. It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be doing it, but I would instead try this if I buy another iPad or if Apple stops supporting my iPad.

Where is your current wallpaper, and where do you get them?

I currently use one of the wallpapers from the list of wallpapers provided by Apple. You can find it on your iPad by going to Settings > Wallpaper > Stills. Some of my favourite ones were the cartoonish landscape wallpapers available in both light and dark modes, and it was something that I loved since I use the dark theme on my iPad. I would also sometimes go to Pinterest to find illustrations that I like and keep them as my wallpaper, or if I am desperate enough, I would also make one of my own using Canva or Inkscape. It doesn’t look that good, but it still gives me the satisfaction that I did it myself whenever I look at the wallpaper on my iPad.

Would you switch entirely to an Apple ecosystem if given a choice?

After using the iPad for almost six years, I understood why people opt for using the Apple ecosystem for their creative and work life. I love how powerful the hardware capabilities of Apple products are and how almost every app is built to make the best out of it. If it weren’t for Procreate or the Apple pencil, I would never have tried digital art. The best part about using the iPad is that it solves the problem of having to boot up a laptop and the small screen size of my phone, which makes it perfect for me to use it whenever I feel like watching a movie or play with my creativity using Procreate.

Having said all this, I would love to change to an entire Apple ecosystem, but the truth is Apple isn’t my cup of tea. As a broke student and in constant need of alternative solutions for premium apps, I know that I would find it difficult to use apps on the IOS unless I pay for it. Also, the one thing that I hate the most is how much they charge for the accessories, which further downgrade my thoughts about changing entirely to Apple. The right thing for me would be to have an iPad for researching articles and using it as my personal space for my thoughts, and having a personal laptop for my workspace.

What are your final thoughts about Apple?

The iPad changed the way I saw Apple products. I understood that Apple is one of the best when it comes to creating innovative products, which I can tell you by the way that they have built the Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro. I also love the constant updates and the security that Apple provides. Overall, I think that everyone should have the opportunity to use an iPad to understand how much they need one in their life. I would also highly recommend everyone to buy the iPad Pro as it has changed my life in so many ways.

[ Related: How to Set Up an iPad, iPad Air or iPad Pro? ]

Face ID is an array of biometric facial identity sensors that allows you to unlock your iPad Pro with fast performance and impressive accuracy. It can also be used to get into apps such as the App Store that require you to verify your identity before downloading an app. It is also applicable with apps such as password managers and notes and can help you manage your security with ease. So, setting Face ID is the only way to get some decent protection with your devices, and here’s how to set up Face ID on iPad Pro.

How to set up Face ID on iPad Pro?

The process of setting up Face ID is straightforward, and it can quickly be set up when you first boot your iPad Pro. However, if you skipped that process and are now looking to get Face ID on your device, well, you can get it set up similarly to setting up Touch ID through the Settings app. Follow the process below so that you can get Face ID quickly set up:

1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. Tap on the “Face ID & Passcode” section.
3. Enter your Passcode (if you’ve set any).
4. Tap on the “Set Up Face ID” button.
5. Tap on the “Get Started” button.
6. Make sure to hold your iPad in portrait orientation and position your face in front of the iPad.
7. Now, it will ask you to position your face inside the circle for scanning.
8. Follow the steps and move your head in a circle to complete the first scanning.
9. Tap on the “Continue” button.
10. It will ask you to move your head again in a second circle.
11. Tap on “Done” to complete the process.

This will complete the scanning process and set up Face ID for you to use and test out. This will ensure security and improve the all-around user experience. You can also turn off the setting by following the same process, but we wouldn’t recommend you doing so.

How can you add your family members to Face ID on iPad Pro?

Apple has also added the ability to set up an “Alternative Appearance” to the iPad Pro with Face ID. It’s also recommended to be used for people who have some facial surgery done or have any other reason that might alter their appearances, such as glasses or similar accessories. However, we will be using this to set up a second person, like your family members, to unlock your iPad Pro with a Face ID. You can do this by:

1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. Tap on the “Face ID & Passcode” section.
3. Enter your “Passcode” or scan your face.
4. Tap on the “Set up an Alternate Appearance” button.
5. Follow the same process of scanning your face from the guide above.

Completing the steps above will help you set up a second person to unlock your face, and you can repeat it to include all your family members if it is a shared device in your family.

How to improve the Face ID scanning with Face ID Attention settings

Face ID can sometimes fail to recognize your face if you have some accessories such as glasses or a have a new shave. Hence, you can mitigate this problem by tweaking a couple of options and see if the accuracy improves and allows you to log in. By default, Face ID is only usable when you look directly at your iPad before it authenticates you. It can be turned off for faster unlocking, but we won’t recommend you to do so. However, if it is already turned off and you want to enable it, then follow the steps below:

1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. Tap on the “Face ID & Passcode” section.
3. Enter your “Passcode” or scan your face.
4. Toggle the “Attention Awareness” feature on.

Note: You can follow the same steps and turn off the feature, but we don’t recommend it as stated before as it can be problematic for security concerns.

How to reset your Face ID settings

Finally, if there’s something wrong with your previous scan or if you’re giving the device to someone else and want to remove or reset the Face ID settings, you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. Tap on the “Face ID & Passcode” section.
3. Enter your “Passcode” or scan your face.
4. Now tap on the “Reset Face ID” button.

Note: Follow the steps, and the Face ID settings would be reset. However, we wouldn’t recommend you do so if you want to set up Face ID again because Apple uses a machine learning technology that allows Face Id to learn over time and help users unlock their iPad faster. Also, be warned that when you reset Face ID, there will be no secondary confirmation, and if you did this by an improbable accident, you’d need to get it set up again to get everything to be working again.

[ Related: How to Set Up iCloud on Your iPad ]

Final words

With this, we have covered everything for Face ID. Remember, once you set up Face ID, it will automatically be compatible with all your Apple apps, such as the App Store, and show you a pop-up to enable it with other third-party apps. We highly recommend you set it up to be used with all your apps for enhanced security and device protection. So, if you have any other concerns, please comment below to help you solve the issues.

Using iCloud is a straightforward process, but it can still be a problem for beginners. So, here’s everything you need to know about setting up iCloud on your iPad.

Offline vs. iCloud Storage

Offline storage is the inbuilt storage that your iPad comes with. It is not expandable and is generally faster than iCloud storage. However, we think that iCloud storage is also a great place to store your data as it is automatically backed up and synced across all your devices, and it is also expandable if you need more storage space. So, get started with using iCloud by following the guide down below.

How to set up iCloud?

The first thing you need to do before you set up your iCloud account is to get your data organized and check what you want to sync up. After you’ve done that, you can go ahead and get iCloud ready. You can either do this when you turn on your iPad up for the first time, and you will be asked to use iCloud Drive to store your data. If this is the case, then tap on “Yes”, and you’re all set.

However, if you have already skipped this step and selected “No” during the setup process, you can still enable it manually by going to the “Settings” app. To do this, follow the steps below:

• Launch the Settings app.
• Tap on your Apple ID section.
• Click on “iCloud”.
• Toggle on iCloud.
• Finally, log in with your Apple ID account to set up iCloud.

How can you view your iCloud account information?

You can quickly check all your information (password and security, registered devices, and data) on your iCloud Drive by following the steps below:

• Launch the Settings app.
• Tap on your Apple ID section.
• Click on Name, Phone Numbers, or Email.

Note: This will help you change any data or information that needs to be updated or removed.

How to use Find My iPad?

Find My iPad lets you locate your iPad if it gets lost. It brings a lot of features, and you can even send an alert with a message to your tablet if you can’t find it, and you can also remotely wipe all your data from it if the worst comes to shove. However, the best part about this feature is that if you have “Find My iPad” enabled on your iCloud account. Thieves or anyone else won’t ever be able to turn it off without entering your iCloud password and would be stuck with an unusable iPad. We highly recommend enabling the feature and learning everything you can about how it can help you protect your devices and personal data from any trouble it might face. You can enable Find my iPad by:

• Go to Settings  > Apple ID > Find My iPad.
• Turn on the Find My iPad toggle.
• Turn on “Find My Network or Enable Offline Finding” (helps to find offline devices)
• Enable “Send Last Location” (instantly forwards you the last location of your device)

How to use iCloud with the Files app?

iCloud is fantastic to store all your documents in as they are accessible throughout all web pages without issues. You can use your Files app to backup any of the data you want straight to your iCloud Drive, and it makes it easy to share documents or collaborate in real-time on everything that you store in your iCloud Drive. You can enable the settings on your iPad so that your documents are automatically saved to iCloud Drive. To do this:

• Launch the Settings app.
• Update settings for the Pages, Numbers, or Keynote option.
• Tap on “Document Storage.”
• Now choose iCloud Drive to save your documents automatically.

[ Related: How to Retrieve iPad Notes Data from an iCloud backup? ]

How to access your iCloud Photo Library?

iCloud Photo Library is the storage location of all your photos synced automatically across all your devices for ease of access. You don’t have to do anything significant, and it works by creating an album or folder on your iPad Photos app, and it will instantly sync up to iCloud and all other iCloud-ready devices. It can help you free up a lot of storage space on your iPad by allowing you to stream photos and videos instead of keeping them locally or downloading them. iPads are generally connected with a constant WiFi connection, and hence, streaming saves a ton of on-device storage for apps and other data. The following steps will help you create an album that can sync up with your iCloud Drive.

• Launch the Photos app.
• Swipe from the left edge of the screen to bring out the sidebar, then tap on “New Album.”
• Give a name to the album, then tap on Save.
• Choose all the photos you want to add and then tap on Done.

Note: This will help you create an album, and it will get automatically synced with your iCloud Drive Storage.

How to use iCloud Photo Sharing?

iCloud Photo Sharing is another part of the Photos app on the iPad. It allows you to create a shared photo album that can be shared with friends and family to view, add or use. It’s a fantastic way to share all your photos with a small group of people through their iCloud accounts. You can follow the steps below to create a Shared Album:

Note: You need to go to Settings  > Your Apple ID > iCloud > Photos and then turn on Shared Albums.

• Launch the Photos app.
• Swipe from the left edge of the screen to bring out the sidebar.
• Tap on “New Shared Album.”
• Give the album a name, and then tap on Next.
• Choose people you want to invite and then tap on Create.

How to use Apple Music with iCloud?

Apple Music with iCloud Drive lets you access and stream all the media content on your iCloud Drive. This also includes support for music from the iTunes Store and even ebooks or podcasts you’ve purchased. You can also pair your iCloud account with your Apple TV to stream media straight to your iPad without any hassle. You can get started using Apple Music with your iCloud Drive by:

• Head on to the Settings app > Music.
• Turn on Sync Library.

This will sync all your music to iCloud Drive, and you’ll be able to access all your files on every iCloud-enabled device that you own.

How to use Family Sharing with iCloud?

We have partly discussed Family Sharing in the Photos section, but it can also be used to share iTunes music library and App Store purchases with your trusted family or friends. Family Sharing also adds some convenient features such as tracking and permission controls which are very handy if you have children. It can help you manage the content they can view and add restrictions to age-appropriate content. You can enable Family Sharing on your iPad by following the steps below:

• Head on to the Settings app > Tap on your Apple ID > Family Sharing.
• Tap on your name.
• Now confirm your Apple ID so that it can be used to share any content.
• Tap the Back button present in the upper-left corner to go back to the Family Sharing page.
• Tap on the Purchase Sharing toggle and make sure that Share Purchases with Family is turned on.

This will share all your purchases and content with your selected family member’s account.

Final words

We have covered everything from setting up your iCloud Account to making data and content available to your family with Family Sharing. We highly recommend you try out these fantastic features and turn on the Find my iPad and Family Sharing features as soon as possible, as they are an excellent asset to any device owner. With this, we end our guide, and if you’re still facing any issues, please comment below so that we can help you sort it out.

Further reading:

How to Bypass iCloud Activation Lock On iPad?

Pro Tips to Speed Up a Slow iPad Backup or iCloud Backup

Restoring your back up from your old iPad to getting your brand-new iPad started from scratch, we’ve got all the bases covered.

Automatic setup for all iPads

The automatic setup process works as advertised and can make the setup a breeze. This can be done in two ways:

Step 1. Keep clicking “Next” until you reach the home screen – So, this is the most basic setup process, and it needs no more than 5-10 clicks at max. Your iPad would automatically bring up suggestions for you, and you can be up and running in under 10 mins.

Note: If you ever need to pause or go back to any step, hit the home button (not compatible with iPad Pro and the iPad Air lineup), which will prompt a pop-up screen that will show the option to start over.
Step 2. Use your old iPad – If you’re already an iPad user and have the iPad with you, the initial setup becomes much smoother. The “Automatic Setup” lets you transfer all your data across your Apple ID to the new iPad. You just by bringing them close together and follow the displayed prompts. At the same time, your devices should be connected to the same WiFi network.

Automatic Setup Pros

• Dummy Proof
• It can be completed in minutes
• It doesn’t require a lot of settings to be changed or altered

Automatic Setup Cons

• It doesn’t deliver a lot of customization options
• Can allow unwanted settings

Note: The “Automatic Setup” process will also transfer all your apps, data, layout, and settings making the process as easy as possible. You won’t need any manual intervention and can leave the device to do its things. However, the automatic process can leave you with a few desired outcomes, and if you want the best personalized settings, you would have to start from scratch.

Manual setup for all iPads

The Manual Setup process can seem daunting at first but trust us that it’s as easy as the Automatic Setup process. However, it can take a few different steps to be completed and always requires a lot more time than the Automatic counterpart. So let us look at the steps on getting your iPad setup:

Step 1: Turn on your iPad and get to the opening screen. You’ll then see “Hello” in various languages and would need you to select your language.

Step 2: The second screen would show you a “Quick Start” option (Automatic Setup) which should be skipped, and you should select the “Set Up Manually” option. You would need to choose your region/ country now.

Step 3: After you’re done selecting the region, the next page would pop up, and you’ll be asked to choose a WiFi network or a wireless data connection. This would need you to have an associated data plan, and a SIM inserted in the SIM slot.

Note: If you bought a WiFi-only iPad, there’s no need to worry about the wireless data option, as all you would need to do is choose your preferred WiFi network and enter the password for it to be connected.

Step 4: The next screen will allow you to choose to enable or disable location services. We recommend keeping your location services enabled as this allows you complete freedom to access your devices and air tags without hassle. Location services allow various apps to access your location through GPS. For example, you open Maps, and the app already knows where you are. You can also turn this service off later if you don’t like broadcasting your location every minute or so.

Note: You can also disable location services if you don’t trust Apple and other apps with your location and if privacy is much more critical for you.

Step 5: This is probably one of the most critical steps, and it requires you to set up your biometric authentication to the phone. If you’re on older iPads or have one with a Touch ID enabled fingerprint sensor, then use that to set up your lock screen. If you have a new iPad Pro model, use Face ID as your primary unlocking method. You would also need to set up a backup password which is generally a six-digit PIN.

Step 6: Now, you would have the choice to restore your apps and data from your PC, Mac, or iCloud backup, but if you don’t have any of that, click on “Don’t Transfer Apps & Data”

Step 7: This step is crucial as well. You need to sign in with your Apple ID or create one for syncing contacts, photos, or even enabling the “Find your Device” option. So, enter your Apple ID and continue to the next step.

Step 8: The next screen is of selecting “Automatic Updates,” which we recommend you to enable as it will help keep your iPad up to date.

Step 9: This screen allows you to set up Siri but if you don’t need a voice assistant, click on the “Set Up Later in Settings” button. Whatever you choose is fine. You can turn Siri on/off later through the settings panel. Newer iPads also support the hands-free Siri feature, which lets you activate her by saying, “Hey Siri.”

Step 10: Now, you can choose to use iCloud, and we recommend setting it up as it is an excellent way to backup your data and keep everything safe. This can later be turned off in the settings if you don’t want to use it anymore.

Step 11: Set up “Find My iPad” to safeguard your iPad and so that you can always track and reset it through the iCloud webpage.

Step 12: Now, finalize your selections and say yes or no to the Apple Diagnostics options on the screen. Click on Continue, and you will be greeted with the home screen. 

Bam! you’re done with the setup. We told you it was easy.

Manual Method Pros

• Has immense control
• Can help you set up all your accounts and tracking services
• It is generally the better setup method

Manual Method Cons

• It takes up around 30 mins to be fully set up with backups

Tweaking your new iPad

Finally, as you get to your iPad’s Home Screen, you’ll be able to see all the apps included with your new iPad. The apps can consist of Messages, Safari, Photos, News, and many more. We would recommend you to tap and hold on to any of the icons and drag them around so that you can order them in any way possible and with the layout, you’re most happy with. This will help you stay organized and keep your device clutter-free.

Getting new apps and updates

Now, you should give the App Store a visit. This is where you’ll be able to download and manage any apps you need for your new iPad. After you’re done with this, you can go ahead and check for any updates and update your device and apps to the latest version for the best possible experience.