Key Takeaways
- A smartphone is a handheld computer — your account is what keeps your data safe and accessible.
- Touchscreen gestures like tap, swipe, and pinch are the core controls you need to learn first.
- The app store is a curated marketplace; you don't need to install much to get started.
- A lock screen PIN or fingerprint keeps your personal information protected from day one.
- Your cloud account automatically backs up photos and contacts so you never lose them.
Start here
What You're Actually Holding: The Basics
Next
Setting Up Your Account
Then
Navigating the Touchscreen
When you're ready
Apps, the App Store, and What to Download First
Before you explore
Staying Safe and Protecting Your Privacy
What You're Actually Holding: The Basics
A smartphone is a pocket-sized computer that also happens to make phone calls. It connects to the internet over Wi-Fi (a wireless network in your home or a café) or over a cellular network — the same type of signal that traditional cell phones use, provided by your carrier.
Inside the phone, two things determine your day-to-day experience: the operating system and your personal account. Most smartphones in the U.S. run one of two operating systems — Android (made by Google) or iOS (made by Apple). The operating system is the software that controls how everything looks and works. Once you know which one your phone uses, most instructions you find online will make sense.
Setting Up Your Account
The first thing your phone will ask you to do is sign in to — or create — an account. On an Android phone this is a Google account; on an iPhone it's an Apple ID. Think of it as the master key to your phone.
This account does three important jobs:
- Backs up your data — contacts, photos, and app information are automatically saved to the cloud (secure storage on remote servers) so you don't lose them if your phone is lost or broken.
- Lets you download apps from the official app store.
- Syncs across devices — if you ever get a tablet or a new phone, your data follows you. See our guide to moving to a new phone for how that works in practice.
Write Down Your Account Password
Store your Google or Apple ID password somewhere secure offline — a small notebook kept at home is a common and practical choice. If you ever lose access to your account, recovery is much easier when you have a record of what you used. Avoid storing passwords inside the phone itself until you're comfortable using a password manager app.
Use a strong, memorable password for this account and store it somewhere safe — a written note kept at home works fine for many people. If you forget the password, you can reset it, but it adds a step.
Navigating the Touchscreen
The glass surface of your screen is the only control panel you need. A handful of gestures cover almost everything:
- Tap — a quick light touch, like clicking a mouse. Opens apps, selects options.
- Swipe — drag your finger across the screen to scroll a webpage or move between screens.
- Pinch — place two fingers on the screen and spread them apart to zoom in on a photo or map; bring them together to zoom back out.
- Press and hold — touching something for one to two seconds often reveals extra options, similar to a right-click on a computer.
Along the top or sides of the phone you'll find physical buttons for volume and power. The power button wakes the screen when it's dark and, if held longer, lets you turn the phone off.
Apps, the App Store, and What to Download First
An app (short for application) is a program you install on your phone to do something specific — video calling, reading news, navigating with maps, or messaging friends. Your phone comes with a built-in app store: Google Play on Android, or the App Store on iPhone.
You don't need many apps to start. The ones pre-installed on your phone — camera, maps, messaging, a web browser — cover the basics for most people. As you get comfortable, add apps one at a time based on a genuine need.
App Permissions: You're in Control
When an app requests access to your camera, microphone, or location, you can deny that request and the app will still install — it just won't have that capability. You can also change permissions later in your phone's Settings menu under the app's name. Review them periodically, especially for apps you haven't used in a while.
When you install a new app, it often asks for permissions — access to your camera, microphone, location, or contacts. You're allowed to say no to permissions that don't make sense. A flashlight app doesn't need access to your contacts, for example. Review these requests before tapping "Allow."
When you're ready to explore beyond your phone, our guide to connected home devices shows how a smartphone fits into a broader home setup.
Staying Safe and Protecting Your Privacy
Setting a lock screen — a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint — is the single most important thing you can do for security. It prevents anyone who picks up your phone from accessing your messages, photos, or payment apps. Set one before you do anything else.
Beyond that, keep two habits in mind:
- Install software updates when your phone notifies you. Updates frequently fix security issues, not just add new features.
- Be skeptical of unexpected messages asking you to tap a link or enter a password. Scammers often pose as banks or delivery services. When in doubt, go directly to the app or website rather than following a link in a text or email.
Your phone also collects information about how you use it — location history, browsing habits, and more. For a thorough look at what those settings actually do, see our mobile privacy guide. You can also explore essential settings for first-time smartphone owners to make sure your phone is configured the way you want from the start.