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Before you turn on your iPad
Gather what you’ll need so setup doesn’t stall:
- The name and password for your Wi-Fi network.
- Your Apple Account sign-in details.
- Your old iPhone or iPad, if you plan to use Quick Start, or access to a backup you want to restore.
- For a Wi-Fi + Cellular model, any carrier activation details you may need.
iPad models, cellular options, menus, and accessory compatibility differ by generation and region. Check the instructions and options shown on your specific device.
Choose a setup route
Turn on the iPad and follow the setup prompts. Apple Support describes the process as “an easy setup process to help you get going when you first turn on your iPad” in its Setup basics guide.
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- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Use Quick Start with a nearby iPhone or iPad
If you have an eligible iPhone or iPad signed in to your Apple Account, Quick Start can help configure the new iPad. Follow the prompts on both devices. For a direct transfer, keep the devices close together and connected to power until it finishes. Both devices are occupied during the transfer, so start when you can leave them alone. The time required varies with the amount of data and network conditions; Apple does not give a universal completion time.
Set up manually
If you don’t have another Apple device nearby, or prefer not to transfer from one, choose the manual setup option when it appears. You’ll configure the iPad through its prompts, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Apple Account. You can then install apps and choose which services and settings to use.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Pick how to move your old iPad’s data
Quick Start is not the only way to bring data to a new iPad. Choose the route that matches what you have available:
| Method | Useful when | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start direct transfer | Your old iPhone or iPad is available and you want to transfer directly. | Keep both devices nearby and powered; they remain occupied until the transfer finishes. |
| Restore from iCloud backup | A usable iCloud backup exists, or you can make one from the old device. | A backup and Apple Account sign-in. Apps and data may continue downloading in the background. |
| Restore from computer backup | You have a backup stored on a computer. | Access to the computer and a backup made with Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, as applicable. |
| Manual setup | You don’t want to transfer from another device or restore a backup. | You configure settings and install apps yourself. |
Restoring requires a backup; it cannot recover data that was never included in one. For computer restoration, use the computer and backup associated with your chosen restore route. Apple’s setup instructions cover transferring data to a new iPhone or iPad. If you use iCloud, some content may download while you use the iPad; a direct transfer must finish before both devices are available for normal use.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Connect to Wi-Fi and sign in
During setup, select your Wi-Fi network and enter its password. After setup, you can connect or switch networks in Settings > Wi-Fi.
Sign in with your Apple Account to use Apple services such as the App Store and iCloud. You can choose which iCloud features to enable; you do not have to sync every category. On Wi-Fi + Cellular models, cellular service may be activated with an eSIM or, on supported models, a carrier-provided nano-SIM. Options depend on the iPad model and region.
Rank #4
- Smart Connector. 3.5 mm headphone jack. Stereo speakers. On/Off - Sleep/Wake. Home/Touch ID sensor. Dual microphones. Volume up/down. Nano-SIM tray (cellular models). Lightning connector
- A10 Fusion chip.
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor,
- 8MP back camera, 1. 2MP FaceTime HD front camera.
- Stereo speakers.
Set up security and recovery
Enable Face ID or Touch ID if your model supports it
Follow the on-screen prompts for the biometric option available on your iPad. The feature and its location differ by model. You can also use the device passcode requested during setup to unlock the iPad and protect access.
Turn on Find My iPad
Enable Find My during setup or later in Settings. It can help you locate the iPad if it is lost or stolen. The exact Settings path can vary by software version; use the Find My option shown in your iPad’s settings.
Best Value
Learn the first useful controls
Once setup is complete, these are useful places to start:
- Gestures: Learn how to move between the Home Screen, open apps, and switch tasks using the controls available on your model.
- Home Screen and Lock Screen: Arrange apps and customize the screens to suit how you use the iPad.
- Text size: Adjust display and text settings in Settings if reading would be more comfortable with larger or smaller text.
- Multitasking: Explore the available ways to work with more than one app; capabilities vary by model and iPadOS version.
Apple’s iPad User Guide covers gestures, screen customization, text, and multitasking. It is updated over time, so instructions and available features may differ from what appears on an older iPad.
Consider accessories only if they fit your use
An Apple Pencil may suit handwriting or drawing, and a keyboard can help if you type frequently. Neither is required to set up an iPad. Before buying an accessory, verify that it supports your exact iPad generation and region; compatibility is not universal across iPad, mini, Air, and Pro families.
Quick Recap
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