How to get started with iPad: The ultimate guide

[Guest Rene Ritchie]

Just get a new iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 or any other iPad? Great! Now you want to get the most out of it. That means transferring over all your data, setting up all your stuff, learning how to use all the built in features, and loading it up with the best apps and accessories available. Well, here's everything you need to know!

 

• iPad Air 2 review
  
• iPad mini 3 review
  
• iOS 8 review
  

iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 buyers' guide

 

 

 

If you haven't taken the plunge and bought your new iPad yet, here's where to start before you get started. What's more important, portability or display size? Can you live with an older, cheaper model or do you really need something more future-proof? Which color and what capacity is best for you? There's never been more to choose from, which means it's never been harder to choose!

 

• 2014 iPad buyers guide
  

How to set up and start using your new iPad

 

 

Your new iPad will greet you with "Hello" in many languages. Where you go from there is entirely up to you. Whether it's your first iPad or your first upgrade, whether you're setting up as new or restoring from a backup, here's what to to next.

 

• How to set up your iPad as new
  
• How to restore your iPad from an existing backup
  
• How to set up your iPad with Gmail and Google
  

How to transfer your data to your new iPad

 

 

 

Whether you're coming to your new iPad from a previous iPad, or you're switching over from an Android tablet, thanks to "the cloud", transferring content and data is easier than ever.

 

• How to transfer data from your old iPad to new iPad
  
• How to transfer data from your old Android tablet to your new iPad
  

How to use your iPad

 

 

 

The iPad ships with a ton of great software straight from Apple, but learning how to use it all can take time. That is, unless you cheat and read our ultimate guides! Whether you want to master the Lock screen or the Home screen, figure out how to take pictures with Camera or edit or share them with Photos, exchange Messages or Mail, keep your kids safe with Parental Controls or discover all the great Accessibility options, or learn how to use Touch ID or Siri, we've got you covered!

 

• iPad: The ultimate guides
  

How to get the best apps for your iPad

 

 

 

With the iPad, the built-in software is just the beginning. The App Store has over a million apps, the vast majority of which have been optimized expressly for the iPa, and they can help you do an almost unlimited number of things. The only challenge is figuring out which are the absolute best apps for you. Luckily, that's what iMore is here for. Day in, day out, we scour the app store and organize and present the apps and games you need to check out first. We even have Editors' Choice awards, so you know what our very favorites are.

 

• Best iPad apps
  
• Best iPad games
  
• Editors' Choice iPad apps and games
  

How to get the best accessories for your iPad

 

 

 

iPad accessories can protect your device from scratches or charge it on the road. They can also add a hardware keyboard for faster typing, or a stylus for sketching. We'll be rounding them up and testing them all year round, but in the meantime our store team has already been collecting their favorites and getting as many up and available as possible. Check them out!

 

• iPad accessories
  

How to get more help with your iPad

 

 

 

If you've got specific questions or need extra help getting started with your new iPad, check out our amazing forums. They're filled with bright, energetic people who just love to help everyone get the most out of their iPad!

 

• iPad forums
  

 

 

 

 

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