Wausau Tech Support Resource Center
Phone & Tablet Help for Beginners
New iPhone, Android phone or tablet? A friendly, step-by-step quick-start checklist covering the basics you'll actually use.
A step-by-step quick-start for a new (or new-to-you) iPhone, Android phone, or tablet. Work through these in order — each one builds on the last.
1. Wi-Fi and cellular basics
Connect to your home Wi-Fi first during setup — this saves cellular data and speeds up downloads. If the device has a SIM card for cellular service, that's usually set up automatically with your carrier, or during an in-store activation.
2. Apple ID or Google Account
This one account controls your app downloads, photo backup, and finding your device if it's lost — it's worth taking time to set up correctly and to write down the password somewhere safe. If you already have an account from a previous device, sign in with the same one rather than creating a new one, so your photos and purchased apps carry over.
3. Contacts, texting, and calling
If you're switching between an iPhone and Android (in either direction), your old contacts can usually transfer through your Google or Apple account, or through a one-time transfer tool the device offers during setup. Test sending a text and making a call to someone right after setup to confirm everything's working.
4. Photos: where they're actually stored
Turn on automatic photo backup (iCloud Photos on iPhone, Google Photos on Android) early, before you take many photos on the new device. This means your pictures are safe even if the phone is lost, dropped, or replaced later.
5. Accessibility settings worth knowing about
Text size and display zoom, bold text, increased contrast, and voice-typing are all built in and easy to turn on in Settings > Accessibility (iPhone) or Settings > Accessibility (Android). Worth a look even if you don't think you need them yet — many people find larger text comfortable once they try it.
6. Backups
Beyond photos, your phone can back up its full settings and app list to iCloud or your Google account automatically. This means setting up a replacement phone later (lost, broken, or upgraded) is much faster.
7. Downloading apps safely
Only download apps from the official App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) — never from a link in a text or email. Before installing an unfamiliar app, a quick glance at its review count and rating is a reasonable gut check. Some scam apps mimic real ones closely, so double-check the developer name matches the real company if something feels off.
Prefer to have someone do all seven steps with you in person? Book Phone or Tablet Help. If you're transferring a lot of photos or files from an old device, see our Photo & File Transfer Planner too.
Ready for a Real Person to Take Care of This?
Phone or Tablet Setup is a flat $99.00 home visit, 60 minutes. A friendly local technician comes to you.
New customers can check if they qualify for $19.00 off their first visit (code FIXIT19) during booking.
Written and reviewed by the Wausau Tech Support team. Last reviewed September 21, 2026. This guide offers general, plain-language information — it is not professional cybersecurity, legal or financial advice. When in doubt about a specific situation, call us directly.