How to Set Up a New iPhone for the First Time: Step-by-Step Guide
A new iPhone walks you through its own setup, asking one question at a time. There’s no rush, and you can’t break anything by taking it slowly. This guide explains what each screen is asking, so the few technical-sounding moments don’t throw you. If you have not chosen the phone yet, start with our guide to the best smartphone for seniors in Australia.
Set aside about half an hour, and have your old phone nearby if you have one. It makes moving your contacts and photos across much simpler. A cup of tea helps too.
Quick answer
Turn the iPhone on with the side button, then follow the prompts: choose Australia and English, join your home Wi-Fi, sign in with an Apple Account, and set up a passcode and Face ID. If you have an old phone, hold it close and use Quick Start to copy everything across. The phone guides you through the rest.
Before you start
Two things make the setup smoother. First, know your home Wi-Fi password, the one on the sticker on your router if you’ve never changed it. Second, have your SIM card sorted. Many Australia phones now use an eSIM, which is a SIM built into the phone with no plastic card. Telstra, Optus and TPG can all set this up for you, often before you even leave the shop. If you’re choosing between them, our guide on Telstra, Optus and TPG for seniors can help.
Setting up your iPhone, step by step
1. Turn it on
Press and hold the button on the right side until the Apple logo appears, then let go. After a moment you’ll see “Hello” in several languages. Tap the screen and follow the arrow to begin.
2. Choose your country and language
Tap English, then choose Australia from the list of countries. This sets the time, the date format and the currency correctly.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi
Your home Wi-Fi network appears in a list. Tap its name and type the password. This lets the phone finish setting up without using your mobile data.
4. Move from your old phone, or set up as new
If you have an old iPhone, the new one offers Quick Start. Just hold the two phones close together and follow the prompts, and your photos, contacts, apps and messages copy across on their own. It’s the easiest way by far. If this is your first iPhone, or you don’t have the old one, choose to set it up as a new iPhone instead.
5. Sign in with your Apple Account
Your Apple Account, sometimes still called an Apple ID, is the single login that lets the phone download apps, make FaceTime calls and back up your photos. If you’ve had an iPhone or iPad before, sign in with the same details. If not, you can create one for free during setup. Our guide to setting up an Apple Account walks through this in more detail.
6. Create a passcode and set up Face ID
You’ll be asked to set a passcode, a number that unlocks the phone. Choose something you’ll remember but others wouldn’t guess, and write it down somewhere safe. Then Face ID lets you unlock the phone just by looking at it. Hold the phone in front of your face and turn your head slowly in a circle when prompted. You can skip this if you’d rather just use the passcode.
7. Finish the last few questions
The phone asks about a few more things, like location and updates. The standard choices are fine, so you can simply tap Continue on each. When you reach the home screen, you’re done.
Worth doing once you’re set up
- Add a couple of emergency contacts so help can be reached if needed.
- Make the text bigger if you’d like, in Settings under Display & Brightness.
- Check your old phone has fully copied across before you put it away or trade it in.
One thing worth knowing: if the shop set up your eSIM, calls and texts should work straight away. If they didn’t, that’s the one part you may need to ring your provider about, and it usually takes only a few minutes. Everything else you can do at the kitchen table.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: Setting up a new iPhone
Do I need Wi-Fi to set up an iPhone?
It’s strongly recommended. Wi-Fi lets the phone finish setup and copy your data across without using mobile data. Have your home Wi-Fi password handy before you start.
What if I don’t have an Apple Account yet?
You can create one for free during setup. It only takes a few minutes and needs an email address. The phone walks you through it step by step.
Will my contacts and photos move across from my old iPhone?
Yes, if you use Quick Start. Hold the old and new phones close together and follow the prompts, and your photos, contacts, messages and apps copy across automatically.
Do I have to set up Face ID?
No. Face ID is convenient, but you can skip it and unlock the phone with your passcode instead. You can always add Face ID later in Settings.
Why won’t my new phone make calls?
Your SIM or eSIM may not be active yet. If the shop set it up, calls should work straight away. If not, ring your provider, Telstra, Optus or TPG, and they can activate it in a few minutes.
