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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
- Sprache: Englisch
Stay connected with friends and family using your device!
Looking for a single, comprehensive, up-to-date guide to making the most out of your iPhone? In the newly revised iPhone For Seniors For Dummies, 2026 Edition, tech educator and expert Dwight Spivey walks you through the essential parts of owning and using an iPhone. Starting from the beginning, Spivey explains how to choose the iPhone model that's right for you based on your needs, how to set up your iCloud account, and how to adjust accessibility features that make your phone easier to use. Learn how to choose and access the apps that let you text, call, email, and surf to your heart's content.
This book delivers step-by-step instructions to personalizing your phone and getting more utility out if it, whether that means keeping tabs on your well-being with the Health App, customizing your notifications, or staying organized with the Calendar, Clock, and Reminders apps.
iPhone For Seniors For Dummies, 2026 Edition also offers:
- Video and audio calling tutorials, including instructions for using FaceTime to call family and friends
- Tips for making your phone more fun, including how to find and download new games, watch videos, and browse the web
- Tutorials on how to use your phone to organize your life and make you more productive
Featuring large print, clear illustrations, and a special focus on tips and content especially relevant to seniors, this easy-to-read book gives new and experienced iPhone users an accurate resource that will help you get the most out of one of the most popular pieces of technology in the world.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025
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iPhone For Seniors For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “iPhone For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Getting to Know Your iPhone
Chapter 1: Buying Your iPhone
Discover the Newest iPhones and iOS 26
Choose the Right iPhone for You
Decide How Much Storage Is Enough
Understand What You Need to Use Your iPhone
Where to Buy Your iPhone
What’s in the Box
Take a First Look at the Gadget
Chapter 2: Exploring the Home Screen
What You Need to Use the iPhone
Turn on iPhone for the First Time
Meet the Multi-Touch Screen
Say Hello to Tap and Swipe
Browsing App Library
Display and Use the Onscreen Keyboard
Swipe to Search
Wonderful Widgets
Change and Customize Your Lock and Home Screens
Chapter 3: Getting Going
Update the Operating System to iOS 26
Learn App Switcher Basics
Examine the iPhone Cameras
Take a Look at Face ID
Discover Control Center
Lock Screen Rotation
Explore the Status Bar
Take Inventory of Preinstalled Apps
Put Your iPhone to Sleep or Turn It Off
Chapter 4: Beyond the Basics
Charge the Battery by Plugging In
Charge the Battery Wirelessly
Sign into an Apple Account for Music, Movies, and More
Sync Wirelessly
Understand iCloud
Turn On iCloud Drive
Set Up iCloud Sync Settings
Browse Your iPhone's Files
Chapter 5: Managing and Monitoring iPhone Usage
Meet Screen Time
Create Some Downtime
Allow Certain Apps During Downtime
Set App Limits
Set Content and Privacy Restrictions
Part 2: Using Your iPhone
Chapter 6: Making and Receiving Calls
Decide on an Interface
Place a Call by Using the Keypad
End a Call
Place a Call by Using Contacts
Return a Recent Call
Use Favorites
Receive a Call
Use Tools During a Call
View Live Voicemail
Reply to a Call via Text or Send It to Voicemail
Change Your Ringtone
Chapter 7: Organizing Contacts
Add a Contact
Sync Contacts with iCloud
Add Avatars and Posters
Add Social Media Information
Designate Related People
Set Individual Ringtones and Text Tones
Search for a Contact
Share a Contact
Delete a Contact
Chapter 8: Communicating with FaceTime and Messages
What You Need to Use FaceTime
An Overview of FaceTime
Make a FaceTime Call with Wi-Fi or Cellular
Accept, Enjoy, and End a FaceTime Call
Switch Views
Set Up an iMessage Account
Use Messages to Address, Create, and Send Messages
Read Messages
Clear a Conversation
Send Emojis with Your Text
Use Messages Apps and Tools
Send and Receive Audio
Send a Photo or Video
Understand Group Messaging
Activate the Hide Alerts Feature
Chapter 9: Using Handy Utilities
Use the Calculator App
Find Your Way with Compass
Record Voice Memos
Measure Distances and Level Objects
Discover the Home App
Translate Words and Phrases
Manage Passwords and Other Stuff
Chapter 10: Making Your iPhone More Accessible
Set Brightness and Change the Wallpaper
Get Just the Basics with Assistive Access
Set Up and Use VoiceOver
Customize Vision Settings
Customize Your Reading Experience with Accessibility Reader
Use iPhone with Hearing Aids
Adjust the Volume
Set Up Subtitles and Captioning
Manage Other Hearing Settings
Say It with Live Speech and Personal Voice
Turn On and Work with AssistiveTouch
Turn On Additional Physical and Motor Settings
Focus Learning with Guided Access
One-Handed Keyboard
Control Your iPhone with a Tap on the Back
Control Your iPhone with Voice Control
Adjust Accessibility Settings on a Per-App Basis
Control Your iPhone with Your Eyes
Control Your iPhone with Vocal Shortcuts
Chapter 11: Engaging with Siri and Apple Intelligence
Activate Siri
Activate Apple Intelligence
Discover What Siri and Apple Intelligence Can Do
Get Suggestions
Call Contacts
Create Reminders and Alerts
Add Events to Your Calendar
Play Music
Get Directions
Ask for Facts
Search the Web
Send Email, Messages, or Tweets
Use Dictation
Get Help from Writing Tools
Use Visual Intelligence to Locate and Understand Things
Part 3: Exploring the Internet and Apps
Chapter 12: Browsing with Safari
Connect to the Internet
Explore Safari
Navigate Web Pages
Use Tabbed Browsing
Organize with Tab Groups
View Browsing History
Search the Web
Add and Use Bookmarks
Download Files
Chapter 13: Working with Email in the Mail App
Add an Email Account
Manually Set Up an Email Account
Open Mail and Read Messages
Reply To or Forward Email
Create and Send a New Message
Format Email
Search Email
Mark Email as Unread or Flag for Follow-Up
Create an Event from Email Contents
Delete Email
Organize Email
Chapter 14: Expanding Your iPhone Horizons with Apps
Explore Senior-Recommended Apps
Search the App Store
Get Applications from the App Store
Organize Your Applications on Home Screen Pages
Organize Apps in Folders
Delete Apps You No Longer Need
Offload Apps to Keep Data
Update Apps
Purchase and Download Games
Chapter 15: Socializing with Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram
A Few Social Media Dos and Don’ts
Find and Install Social Media Apps
Create a Facebook Account
Customize Facebook Settings for Your iPhone
Create an X (Twitter) Account
Create an Instagram Account
Part 4: Enjoying Media
Chapter 16: Shopping the iTunes Store and Apple TV
Explore the iTunes Store
Buy a Selection
Rent or Buy Movies and TV Shows
Use Apple Pay and Wallet
Set Up Family Sharing
Chapter 17: Reading Books
Find Books with Apple Books
Buy Books
Navigate a Book
Select and Customize Themes
Modify Your Book’s Font
Adjust Accessibility & Layout Options
Chapter 18: Enjoying Music and Podcasts
View the Music Library
Create Playlists
Search for Music
Play Music
Shuffle and AutoMix Music
Listen with Your Earbuds
Listen with Spatial Audio
Use AirPlay
Play Music with Radio
Find and Subscribe to Podcasts
Play Podcasts
Chapter 19: Taking and Sharing Photos
Take Pictures with the iPhone Cameras
View Your Photos
Edit Photos
Organize Photos
Share Photos with Mail, X (Twitter), or Facebook
Share a Photo Using AirDrop
Share Photos Using iCloud Photo Sharing
Delete Photos
Chapter 20: Creating and Watching Videos
Capture Your Own Videos with the Built-In Cameras
Using QuickTake for Videos
Edit Videos
Play Movies or TV Shows with the TV App
Turn On Closed-Captioning
Delete a Video from the iPhone
Chapter 21: Navigating with Maps
Display Your Current Location
Change Views
Zoom In and Out
Go to Another Location or a Favorite
Drop a Marker (or Pin)
Find Directions
Get Turn-by-Turn Navigation Help
Download Maps for Offline Use
Go Globetrotting!
Part 5: Living with Your iPhone
Chapter 22: Keeping on Schedule with Calendar and Clock
View Your Calendar
Add Calendar Events and Reminders
Add Events or Reminders with Siri
Create Repeating Events
View an Event
Add an Alert to an Event
Search for an Event
Delete an Event
Display the Clock App
Set an Alarm
Use Stopwatch and Timers
Chapter 23: Working with Reminders and Notifications
Create a Reminder
Edit Reminder Details
Schedule a Reminder by Time, Location, or When Messaging
Create a List
Sync with Other Devices and Calendars
Mark as Complete or Delete a Reminder
Get Notified!
Stay Focused and Undisturbed
Chapter 24: Keeping Tabs on Your Health
Understand the Health App
Create Your Medical ID
Become an Organ Donor
View Health App Data
Import and Export Health Data
Sharing Is Caring
View Health Records
Stay on Top of Your Medications
Log Daily Moods and Emotions
Chapter 25: Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your iPhone
Keep the iPhone Screen Clean
Protect Your Gadget with a Case
Extend Your iPhone’s Battery Life
Deal with a Nonresponsive iPhone
Update the iOS Software
Find a Missing Apple Device
Back Up to iCloud
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 1
TABLE 1-1 iPhone Model Comparison
Chapter 3
TABLE 3-1 Common Status Bar Icons
Chapter 10
TABLE 10-1 VoiceOver Gestures
TABLE 10-2 Major AssistiveTouch Options
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1
FIGURE 1-1
FIGURE 1-2
FIGURE 1-3
Chapter 2
FIGURE 2-1
FIGURE 2-2
FIGURE 2-3
FIGURE 2-4
FIGURE 2-5
FIGURE 2-6
FIGURE 2-7
FIGURE 2-8
FIGURE 2-9
FIGURE 2-10
FIGURE 2-11
FIGURE 2-12
FIGURE 2-13
FIGURE 2-14
FIGURE 2-15
FIGURE 2-16
FIGURE 2-17
Chapter 3
FIGURE 3-1
FIGURE 3-2
FIGURE 3-3
FIGURE 3-4
FIGURE 3-5
FIGURE 3-6
FIGURE 3-7
FIGURE 3-8
Chapter 4
FIGURE 4-1
FIGURE 4-2
FIGURE 4-3
FIGURE 4-4
FIGURE 4-5
FIGURE 4-6
Chapter 5
FIGURE 5-1
FIGURE 5-2
FIGURE 5-3
FIGURE 5-4
FIGURE 5-5
FIGURE 5-6
FIGURE 5-7
FIGURE 5-8
FIGURE 5-9
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1
FIGURE 6-2
FIGURE 6-3
FIGURE 6-4
FIGURE 6-5
FIGURE 6-6
FIGURE 6-7
FIGURE 6-8
FIGURE 6-9
FIGURE 6-10
FIGURE 6-11
FIGURE 6-12
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1
FIGURE 7-2
FIGURE 7-3
FIGURE 7-4
FIGURE 7-5
FIGURE 7-6
FIGURE 7-7
FIGURE 7-8
FIGURE 7-9
FIGURE 7-10
FIGURE 7-11
FIGURE 7-12
FIGURE 7-13
Chapter 8
FIGURE 8-1
FIGURE 8-2
FIGURE 8-3
FIGURE 8-4
FIGURE 8-5
FIGURE 8-6
FIGURE 8-7
FIGURE 8-8
FIGURE 8-9
FIGURE 8-10
FIGURE 8-11
FIGURE 8-12
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1
FIGURE 9-2
FIGURE 9-3
FIGURE 9-4
FIGURE 9-5
FIGURE 9-6
FIGURE 9-7
FIGURE 9-8
FIGURE 9-9
FIGURE 9-10
FIGURE 9-11
FIGURE 9-12
FIGURE 9-13
FIGURE 9-14
FIGURE 9-15
FIGURE 9-16
FIGURE 9-17
FIGURE 9-18
Chapter 10
FIGURE 10-1
FIGURE 10-2
FIGURE 10-3
FIGURE 10-4
FIGURE 10-5
FIGURE 10-6
FIGURE 10-7
FIGURE 10-8
FIGURE 10-9
FIGURE 10-10
FIGURE 10-11
FIGURE 10-12
FIGURE 10-13
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1
FIGURE 11-2
FIGURE 11-3
FIGURE 11-4
FIGURE 11-5
FIGURE 11-6
FIGURE 11-7
FIGURE 11-8
FIGURE 11-9
FIGURE 11-10
FIGURE 11-11
Chapter 12
FIGURE 12-1
FIGURE 12-2
FIGURE 12-3
FIGURE 12-4
FIGURE 12-5
FIGURE 12-6
FIGURE 12-7
FIGURE 12-8
FIGURE 12-9
FIGURE 12-10
FIGURE 12-11
FIGURE 12-12
FIGURE 12-13
FIGURE 12-14
Chapter 13
FIGURE 13-1
FIGURE 13-2
FIGURE 13-3
FIGURE 13-4
FIGURE 13-5
FIGURE 13-6
FIGURE 13-7
FIGURE 13-8
FIGURE 13-9
FIGURE 13-10
FIGURE 13-11
FIGURE 13-12
FIGURE 13-13
FIGURE 13-14
FIGURE 13-15
FIGURE 13-16
FIGURE 13-17
Chapter 14
FIGURE 14-1
FIGURE 14-2
FIGURE 14-3
FIGURE 14-4
FIGURE 14-5
FIGURE 14-6
FIGURE 14-7
FIGURE 14-8
FIGURE 14-9
FIGURE 14-10
FIGURE 14-11
Chapter 15
FIGURE 15-1
FIGURE 15-2
Chapter 16
FIGURE 16-1
FIGURE 16-2
FIGURE 16-3
Chapter 17
FIGURE 17-1
FIGURE 17-2
FIGURE 17-3
FIGURE 17-4
FIGURE 17-5
FIGURE 17-6
FIGURE 17-7
FIGURE 17-8
FIGURE 17-9
FIGURE 17-10
Chapter 18
FIGURE 18-1
FIGURE 18-2
FIGURE 18-3
FIGURE 18-4
FIGURE 18-5
FIGURE 18-6
FIGURE 18-7
FIGURE 18-8
FIGURE 18-9
FIGURE 18-10
FIGURE 18-11
FIGURE 18-12
FIGURE 18-13
FIGURE 18-14
FIGURE 18-15
FIGURE 18-16
FIGURE 18-17
Chapter 19
FIGURE 19-1
FIGURE 19-2
FIGURE 19-3
FIGURE 19-4
FIGURE 19-5
FIGURE 19-6
FIGURE 19-7
FIGURE 19-8
Chapter 20
FIGURE 20-1
FIGURE 20-2
FIGURE 20-3
FIGURE 20-4
FIGURE 20-5
FIGURE 20-6
FIGURE 20-7
FIGURE 20-8
Chapter 21
FIGURE 21-1
FIGURE 21-2
FIGURE 21-3
FIGURE 21-4
FIGURE 21-5
FIGURE 21-6
FIGURE 21-7
FIGURE 21-8
FIGURE 21-9
FIGURE 21-10
FIGURE 21-11
FIGURE 21-12
FIGURE 21-13
FIGURE 21-14
FIGURE 21-15
Chapter 22
FIGURE 22-1
FIGURE 22-2
FIGURE 22-3
FIGURE 22-4
FIGURE 22-5
FIGURE 22-6
FIGURE 22-7
FIGURE 22-8
FIGURE 22-9
FIGURE 22-10
FIGURE 22-11
Chapter 23
FIGURE 23-1
FIGURE 23-2
FIGURE 23-3
FIGURE 23-4
FIGURE 23-5
FIGURE 23-6
FIGURE 23-7
FIGURE 23-8
FIGURE 23-9
FIGURE 23-10
FIGURE 23-11
FIGURE 23-12
FIGURE 23-13
FIGURE 23-14
FIGURE 23-15
FIGURE 23-16
FIGURE 23-17
FIGURE 23-18
FIGURE 23-19
Chapter 24
FIGURE 24-1
FIGURE 24-2
FIGURE 24-3
FIGURE 24-4
FIGURE 24-5
FIGURE 24-6
FIGURE 24-7
Chapter 25
FIGURE 25-1
FIGURE 25-2
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
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iPhone For Seniors For Dummies®, 2026 Edition
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2026 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies.
Media and software compilation copyright © 2026 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies.
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Trademarks: Wiley, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, Dummies.com, Making Everything Easier, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. iPhone is a trademark or registered trademark of Apple, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. iPhone For Seniors For Dummies®, 2026 Edition is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc
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Introduction
Apple designed the iPhone to be easy to use, but you can still spend hours exploring the preinstalled apps, discovering how to change settings, and figuring out how to sync the device to your computer or through iCloud. (If you don’t know what iCloud is, no worries; I dive into it in Chapter 4.) I’ve invested those hours so that you don’t have to — and I’ve added battle-tested advice and tips so that you can become an expert with your iPhone, regardless of which model you own.
This book will get you up and running with your iPhone quickly and painlessly so that you can confidently move on to the fun part. Apple does a legendary job of making its devices and software intuitive, but owning this book is akin to having a good friend by your side who’s tech-savvy and ready to lend a helping hand when you need it.
About This Book
This book is written for mature people like you — folks who may be relatively new to using a smartphone and who want to discover the basics of buying an iPhone, making and receiving phone and video calls, working with apps, getting on the internet, enjoying music and photos, and discovering all the other tricks the iPhone can do. In writing this book, I’ve tried to consider the types of activities that might interest someone who is 50 years old or older and picking up an iPhone for the first time. As a quinquagenarian myself, I want to make certain that you get the most bang for your buck with this tome.
Foolish Assumptions
This book is organized by sets of tasks. These tasks start at the beginning, assuming that you’ve never laid your hands on an iPhone, and guide you through basic steps using nontechnical language.
iPhone For Seniors For Dummies covers going online using either a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, browsing the web (Chapter 12), and checking email (Chapter 13). I also assume that you’ll want to use the Apple Books e-reader app, so I cover its features in Chapter 17. I tackle all kinds of neat things you can do with your iPhone, such as customizing your experience with iOS 26’s Home screen and lock screen customizations (Chapter 2), monitoring the use of your iPhone and its apps (Chapter 5), managing your passwords (Chapter 9), discovering and adding apps to your iPhone (Chapter 14), taking and sharing photos and videos (Chapters 19 and 20, respectively), and tracking your health (Chapter 24). And as you go from chapter to chapter, you learn about the brand new (but still familiar) Liquid Glass user interface introduced in iOS 26!
Icons Used in This Book
Icons are tiny pictures in the margin that call your attention to special advice or information.
This brief piece of advice helps you take a skill further or provides an alternate way to do something.
Heads up! This is something that might wreak havoc on your iPhone or that could be difficult or expensive to undo.
This information is so useful, it's worth keeping in your head — not just on your bookshelf.
This information isn't essential, but it's neat to know.
Beyond the Book
There's even more iPhone information on www.dummies.com. This book’s cheat sheet offers tips on using Siri and suggests all kinds of apps that you can use to make the most of your iPhone. To get to the cheat sheet, go to www.dummies.com, and then type iPhone For Seniors For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the search box.
Where to Go from Here
You can work through this book from beginning to end or simply open a chapter to solve a problem or acquire a specific new skill. The steps in each task quickly get you where you want to go, without a lot of technical explanation.
When I wrote this book, all the information was accurate for the iPhone SE (second generation or later), 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Max, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e, Air, 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, along with version 26 of iOS (the operating system used by the iPhone).
It’s possible that Apple will introduce new iPhone models and versions of iOS between book editions. If you’ve bought a new iPhone and found that its hardware, user interface, or iPhone-related software on your computer (such as iTunes or Music) looks a little different than what is presented here, check out what Apple has to say at www.apple.com/iphone and www.apple.com/ios. You’ll find updates on those sites regarding the company’s latest releases.
Part 1
Getting to Know Your iPhone
IN THIS PART …
Meeting your new iPhone
Navigating your iPhone and customizing the screens
Discovering installed apps
Activating special features
Monitoring how your iPhone is being used
Chapter 1
Buying Your iPhone
IN THIS CHAPTER
Discover what’s new in the iPhones and iOS 26
Choose the right iPhone for you and find where to buy it
Understand what you need to use your iPhone
Explore what’s in the box
Take a look at the gadget
You’ve read about it and watched the news reports. You’ve seen the lines at Apple Stores on the day a new version of the iPhone is released. You’re so intrigued that you’ve decided to get your own iPhone so you can have a smartphone that can do much more than make and receive calls. Perhaps you’re not new to smartphones but are ready to make the switch to the ultimate in such devices. With your iPhone, you can have fun with apps such as games and exercise trackers; explore the online world; read e-books, magazines, and other periodicals; take and organize photos and videos; listen to music and watch movies; and a lot more.
Trust me: You’ve made a good decision because the iPhone defines the mobile phone experience. It’s also a perfect fit for seniors.
In this chapter, you learn about the advantages of the iPhone, as well as where to buy this little gem and associated data plans. After you have one in your hands, I help you explore what’s in the box and get an overview of the little buttons and slots you’ll encounter — luckily, the iPhone has very few of them.
Discover the Newest iPhones and iOS 26
Apple’s iPhone gets its features from a combination of hardware and its software operating system, which is called iOS (short for iPhone operating system). The most current version of the operating system is iOS 26. It’s helpful to understand which new features the latest models and iOS 26 bring to the table (all of which are covered in more detail in this book).
Don’t panic if you realize that the version of iOS before this one was 18; you didn’t lose 8 years of your life in some sort of time warp triggered when you picked up this book. Apple decided to streamline its naming conventions for all operating systems that power their devices by using the year in which they’ll be utilized the most, which in this case is 2026. Hence we now have iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26.
Apple’s latest additions to the iPhone family are the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone Air. Like their predecessors, they're highly advanced smartphones that leave competitors in the dust. Here are some of the key features of the latest iPhone models:
A19 and A19 Pro chips:
The iPhone 17 utilizes the A19 chip, while the 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and Air receive the latest and greatest, the A19 Pro. The truly innovative tech in these models demands processors that can handle some heavy lifting while still being able to answer calls and retrieve email, and the A19 and A19 Pro are both more than stunningly capable.
Camera Control:
This hardware feature for iPhone allows instant access to and easy and intuitive control of your iPhone’s built-in cameras. The sensor reacts to your touch to give you total command of your cameras and their features. As Apple continues to roll out their Apple Intelligence updates, Camera Control will become even more powerful.
Emergency SOS via Satellite, Crash Detection, Roadside Assistance via Satellite, and Messages via Satellite: Emergency SOS via Satellite helps you reach emergency responders when you’re outside traditional cell or Wi-Fi service. Crash Detection utilizes gyroscope and accelerometer tech in the latest models to detect when you’ve been in an automobile crash and will cause your iPhone to alert emergency services automatically. Roadside Assistance via Satellite helps users connect with AAA, the nation’s largest roadside assistance provider, should the need arise when they have no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Messages via Satellite allows you to stay in contact using the Messages app, even when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. All four features are something you never want to need but are thankful to have.
You might consider acquiring AppleCare+ with theft and loss coverage, which is Apple’s extended warranty, currently priced at $99.99 (iPhone 16e), $119.99 (iPhone 16 and 17), $129.99 (16 Plus), or $139.99 (iPhone Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max) per year. Monthly plans are also available. AppleCare+ covers unlimited incidents of accidental damage (but you will be charged minimal fees, based on the nature of the repair), which could more than cover the cost of repairing your iPhone without it. You can also get AppleCare One, which allows you to cover three Apple devices starting at $19.99 per month. You can cover more than three devices for $5.99 a month per additional device.
Don’t think your iPhone is unbreakable. Cases are still a good — no, make that great — idea. As mentioned, Apple has a line of cases that not only protect your iPhone but also allow for wireless MagSafe and Qi charging. (MagSafe is Apple’s version of wireless charging that uses magnets to keep your iPhone and the charger better connected, which translates to faster and more efficient charging. Qi is an industry-standard wireless charging technology used by Apple and most smartphone manufacturers.)
Any iPhone model from the iPhone SE second generation and newer (including all 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and Air models) can use most features of iOS 26 if you update the operating system (discussed in detail in Chapter 3). This book is based on iOS 26. This update to the operating system adds many features, including (but definitely not limited to) the following:
Liquid Glass:
The iPhone user interface has looked much the same for as long as I can remember. But now Apple is changing things up a bit with a sleek interface meant to evoke the look of glass, with enhanced fluidity and transparency throughout the OS and its apps. Everything has a glossy look and feel. All 26 operating system revisions sport the Liquid Glass look, bringing more uniformity across Apple’s multiple device platforms. The change may be a little jarring for some at first, but I urge you to give it a chance to grow on you.
Camera:
The Camera app user interface has been simplified for everyday shooting but still provides access to all the advanced features some of you have come to know and love.
Messages:
The Messages app gets several upgrades, including the ability to include polls when the conversation might benefit from one (for example, when in a group chat trying to work out a time and place to grab lunch). Another great new feature is the ability to translate languages on the fly so that you can understand what others are saying in their own language in real time.
Accessibility features and improvements:
Apple is always enhancing accessibility features for its products, and it’s on top of the game with new features such as Accessibility Reader and updates to others, such as Personal Voice. Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which lists the features app developers utilize in their apps, are also in this latest release of iOS.
Apple Intelligence:
Apple Intelligence, which Apple describes as “AI for the rest of us,” first showed up in iOS 18 but is much more enhanced in iOS 26. The only downside is that it only works for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and newer iPhone models. Find out more throughout the book, but especially in
Chapter 11
.
These are but a few of the improvements made to the latest version of iOS. I suggest visiting www.apple.com/os/ios to find out more.
Don’t need all the built-in apps? You can remove them from your Home screen. (Note that built-in apps take up very little of your iPhone’s storage space.) And if you change your mind, you can easily add them back to your Home screen by searching for them in the App Store and tapping the Get button, or by retrieving them from the App Library.
Choose the Right iPhone for You
A variety of iPhone models are on the market; it can be daunting when trying to decide which one you want to purchase. In this section, I focus on Apple’s newest models, the iPhone Air and 17 series. If you’d like to explore others, Apple has a great tool for making comparisons at www.apple.com/iphone/compare.
The sizes of the latest iPhone models vary:
iPhone 17 measures 2.81" by 5.89" (the screen measures 6.3" diagonally) with a depth of 0.31".
iPhone Air measures 2.94" by 6.15" (the screen measures 6.5" diagonally) with a depth of 0.22" (see
Figure
1-1
).
iPhone 17 Pro measures 2.83" by 5.91" (the screen measures 6.3" diagonally) with a depth of 0.34" (see
Figure
1-2
).
iPhone 17 Pro Max measures 3.07" by 6.43" (the screen measures 6.9" diagonally) with a depth of 0.34".
Courtesy of Apple Inc.
FIGURE 1-1
Courtesy of Apple Inc.
FIGURE 1-2
You can get the iPhone 17 in black, white, mist blue, sage, and lavender. iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max come in silver, cosmic orange, and deep blue. iPhone Air is available in space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue.
Not sure whether to get an iPhone Air or 17 model? Here are a few more key differences:
All iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air include a great battery life.
You get up to 27 hours of video playback for iPhone Air, up to 30 hours for the iPhone 17, up to 33 hours for the 17 Pro, and a whopping 39 hours for the 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone Air and iPhone17 models use eSIMs instead of physical SIMs.
A SIM stores important information about your phone and your cellular provider network. Physical SIMs can be moved from phone to phone, but eSIMs are permanently built-in.
All models received camera upgrades.
All models have fantastic camera systems, but the biggest camera innovation for all four of the newest models is the Center Stage front camera. The Center Stage front camera allows users to take photos and videos in either portrait or landscape mode while holding the iPhone vertically (no need to rotate it) because of its wider field of view and higher resolution than previous models. Center Stage also combines with AI to track participants to make sure that the field of view automatically expands to include everyone in the frame.
Screen resolution.
The higher the resolution the better, especially for larger screens since you need to pack more pixels (the tiny dots of color that make up the images) into a larger space. The iPhone 17 and 17 Pro offer 2622 x 1206 resolution; the 17 Pro Max provides a stunning 2868 x 1320; and the Air gives you an excellent 2736 x 1260.
Table1-1 gives you a quick comparison of the iPhone Air, 16e, 16, 16 Plus, 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max (models currently sold by Apple). All costs are as of the time this book was written. (Some carriers may introduce non-contract terms.)
TABLE 1-1 iPhone Model Comparison
Model
Storage
Cost (May Vary by Carrier)
Air
256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
From $999
16e
128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
From $599
16
128GB
From $699
16 Plus
128GB and 256GB
From $799
17
256GB and 512GB
From $799
17 Pro
256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
From $1099
17 Pro Max
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB
From $1,199
Other differences between iPhone models come primarily from the current operating system, iOS 26, which I cover in the remaining chapters of the book.
One exciting pricing option is the iPhone Upgrade Program. You choose your carrier, get an unlocked phone so you can change carriers, and receive AppleCare+ to cover you in case your phone has problems, all starting at a cost of $42.41 a month (depending on the iPhone model you select). The price does not include data usage from your carrier. Check out www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program for more information.
Decide How Much Storage Is Enough
Storage is a measure of how much information — for example, movies, photos, and software applications (apps) — you can store on a computing device. Storage can also affect your iPhone’s performance when handling such tasks as streaming favorite TV shows from the web or downloading music.
Streaming refers to playing video or music content from the web (or from other devices) rather than playing a file stored on your iPhone. You can enjoy a lot of material online without ever downloading its full content to your phone — and given that the most storage-endowed iPhone model has a relatively small amount of storage, streaming is a good idea. See Chapters 18 and 20 for more about getting your music and movies online.
Your storage options with an iPhone 16e are 128, 256, and 512 gigabytes (GB). The iPhone 16 affords only 128GB, 16 Plus offers 128GB and 256GB, 17 provides either 256GB or 512GB, 17 Pro and Air have 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB (terabyte, which is 1000GB), and 17 Pro Max can give 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. You must choose the right amount of storage because you can’t open the unit and add more, as you usually can with a desktop computer. However, Apple has thoughtfully provided iCloud, a service you can use to back up content to the internet. (You can read more about iCloud in Chapter 4.)
How much storage is enough for your iPhone? Here are some guidelines:
If you simply want to check email, browse the web, and keep your calendar up to date, and you enjoy communicating via voice, video, and instant messaging, 128GB likely is plenty.
For most people who manage a reasonable number of photos, download some music, and watch heavy-duty media such as movies online, 256GB may be sufficient. But if you might take things up a notch regarding media consumption and creation in the future (such as the newest grandchild being on the way soon), you should seriously consider 512GB.
If you like lots of media, such as movies or TV shows, you might need 512GB or 1TB. For example, shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second will take roughly 1GB of storage space for every two and a half minutes of footage. If you shoot a lot of video, 2TB of storage might be more appealing.
Do you know how big a gigabyte (GB) is? Consider this: Just about any computer you buy today comes with a minimum of 256GB of storage. Computers have to tackle larger tasks than iPhones, so that number makes sense. The iPhone, which uses a technology called flash storage for storing data, is meant (to a great extent) to help you experience online media and email; it doesn’t have to store much since it pulls lots of content from the internet. In the world of storage, 64GB for any kind of storage is puny if you keep lots of content (such as audio, video, and photos) on the device. Some iPhone models are now offering terabytes (TB) of storage; 1TB is equal to 1000GB.
What’s the price for larger storage? iPhone Air with 256GB sells for $999, 512GB is $1,199, and 1TB is $1,399. The iPhone 16e with 128GB is $599, 256GB is $699, and 512GB is $899. For the iPhone 16, a 128GB unit costs $699. iPhone 16 Plus with 128GB goes for $799 and 256GB is $899. iPhone 17 with 256GB is $799 and 512GB is $999. iPhone 17 Pro with 256GB is $1,099, 512GB goes for $1,299, and the model tops out at $1,499 for 1TB. Not to be outdone, iPhone 17 Pro Max is the priciest: $1,199 for 256GB, $1,399 for 512GB, $1,599 for 1TB, and $1,999 for 2TB. Note that prices may vary by carrier and where you buy your phone.
Understand What You Need to Use Your iPhone
Before you head off to buy your iPhone, you should know what other connections and accounts you’ll need to work with it optimally.
At a minimum, to make standard cellular phone calls, you need to have a service plan with a cellular carrier (such as AT&T or Verizon), as well as a data plan that supports iPhone. The data plan allows you to exchange information (such as emails and text messages) over the internet and download content (such as movies and music) without need of a Wi-Fi connection. Before you sign up, try to verify the strength of cellular coverage in your area (ask your local cellular company representatives for more info), as well as how much data your plan provides each month.
You also need to be able to update the iPhone operating system (iOS). Without a phone carrier service plan, you can update iOS either wirelessly over a Wi-Fi network or by plugging your iPhone into your computer. You would also need to use a Wi-Fi network to go online and make calls using an internet service, such as FaceTime or Skype.
Given the cost and high-tech nature of the iPhone, having to jury-rig these basic functions doesn’t make much sense. Trust me: Get an account and data plan with your phone service provider.
You should also open a free account on iCloud, Apple’s online storage and syncing service, to store and share content online among your Apple devices. For example, you can set up iCloud in such a way that photos you take on your iPhone will appear on your iPad. You can also use a computer to download photos, music, books, or videos and transfer them to your iPhone through a process called syncing.
Apple has set up its software and the iCloud service to give you two ways to manage content for your iPhone — including apps, music, or photos you’ve downloaded — and specify how to sync your calendar and contact information.
There are a lot of tech terms to absorb here (iCloud, syncing, and so on). Don’t worry. Chapters 3 and 4 cover those settings in more detail.
Where to Buy Your iPhone
You can’t buy an iPhone from just any retail store. You can buy an iPhone at the brick-and-mortar or online Apple Store and from mobile phone providers, such as AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You can also find an iPhone at major retailers, such as Best Buy and Walmart, through which you have to buy a service contract for the phone carrier of your choice. You can also find iPhones at several online retailers (such as Amazon.com and Newegg.com) and through smaller, local service providers, which you can find by visiting https://support.apple.com/en-us/109526.
Apple offers unlocked iPhones. Essentially, these phones aren’t tied to a particular provider, so you can use them with any iPhone cellular service provider. Although you may save a lot by avoiding a service commitment, purchasing an unlocked phone can be pricey up front.
What’s in the Box
When you fork over your hard-earned money for your iPhone, you’ll be left holding one box, but that box does include some magical goodies.
Here’s what you’ll find when you take off the shrink wrap and open the box:
iPhone: Your iPhone is covered in a thick, plastic-sleeve thingy. Take it off and toss it back in the box.
Save all the packaging until you're certain you won't return the phone. Apple's standard return period is 14 days.
Documentation (and I use the term very loosely):
This typically includes a small pamphlet, a sheet of Apple logo stickers, and a few more bits of information. Thankfully, you have this book to guide you.
USB-C cable:
Use this cable to connect the iPhone to your computer (if your computer has a USB-C port; otherwise, you’ll need a USB-C-to-USB-C adapter) or to a USB-C power adapter (not included).
The iPhone box is a study in Zen-like simplicity. Where's the charging plug? Apple now feels that just about everyone has several charger plugs laying around their home, so they think it's wasteful (not to mention a little more expensive) to include one with every new iPhone. If you need a charger plug, Apple will certainly sell you one, and many third-party options are available as well.
Search for iPhone accessories online. You’ll find iPhone covers and cases (from leather to silicone), car chargers, and screen guards to protect your phone’s screen.
Take a First Look at the Gadget
In this section, I give you a bit more information about the buttons and other physical features of the newest iPhone models. Figure1-3 shows you where each of these items is located on the iPhone Air and 17 models.
FIGURE 1-3
Here’s the rundown on what the various hardware features for iPhones without Home buttons are and what they do.
If you have an iPhone model with a Home button, read your iPhone’s documentation or visit https://support.apple.com/iphone to discover the hardware features specific to your device.
Side button:
You can use this button to power up your iPhone, put it in sleep mode, wake it up, lock it, force a restart, power it down, and much more.
USB-C connector:
Use the USB-C connector to charge your battery, listen to audio with EarPods (not included), or sync your iPhone with your computer. (See
Chapter 4
for more on syncing.)
Action button (iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models only):
This button can be customized to perform a host of features, including silent mode, Focus, Camera, Flashlight, Voice Memo, Recognize Music, Translate, Magnifier, Controls, Shortcut, and Accessibility.
Camera Control (all current models except iPhone 16e):
This can perform its share of features, too, including Exposure, Depth, Zoom, Cameras, Styles, and Tone.
Built-in stereo speakers:
The speakers in iPhones provide rich stereo sound and deeper bass than previous models, and are located on the bottom edge of the phone and at the top part near the earpiece.
Volume up/down buttons:
Press the volume up button for more volume and the volume down button for less. (You can use the volume up or volume down button as a camera shutter button when the camera is activated.)
Built-in microphones:
Built-in microphones make it possible to speak into your iPhone to deliver commands or content. This feature allows you to make phone calls, use video calling services (such as Skype or Zoom), and work with other apps that accept audio input, such as the Siri built-in assistant.
Chapter 2
Exploring the Home Screen
IN THIS CHAPTER
See what you need to use your iPhone
Turn on your iPhone for the first time
Say hello to the multi-touch screen, tap, and swipe
Meet App Library
Use the onscreen keyboard
Search by flicking
Add widgets
Customize the lock and Home screens
Good news! Getting just about anything done on the iPhone is simple, once you know the ropes. In fact, using your fingers to do things is an intuitive way to communicate with your computing device, which is just what the iPhone is.
In this chapter, you turn on your iPhone, register it, and then take your first look at the Home screen. You also practice using the onscreen keyboard, see how to interact with the touchscreen in various ways, get pointers on working with cameras, and get an overview of built-in applications (more commonly referred to as apps).
Although the iPhone’s screen has been treated to repel oils, you’re about to deposit a ton of fingerprints on your iPhone — one downside of a touchscreen device. So you'll need to clean the screen from time to time. A soft cloth, like the microfiber cloth you might use to clean eyeglasses, is usually all you’ll need to clean things up. Never use harsh chemicals. Please check out Chapter 25 for more on keeping your screen clean.
What You Need to Use the iPhone
At a minimum, you need to be able to connect to the internet to take advantage of most iPhone features, which you can do using a Wi-Fi network (a wireless network that you set up in your home or office through an internet service provider or access in a public place such as a library or coffee shop) or a cellular data connection from your cellular provider. You might want to have a computer so that you can connect your iPhone to it to download photos, videos, music, or applications and transfer them to or from your iPhone through a process called syncing. (See Chapter 4 for more about syncing.) An Apple service called iCloud syncs content on all your Apple devices (such as the iPhone or iPad), so anything you buy on your iPad that can be run on an iPhone, for example, will automatically be pushed (in other words, downloaded and installed) to your iPhone. In addition, you can sync without connecting a cable to a computer by using a wireless Wi-Fi connection to your computer.
Your iPhone will probably arrive registered and activated. If you bought it in a store, the person helping you can usually handle those tasks.
For iPhone SE (second generation or later) and all 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and Air models, Apple recommends that you have
A Mac or PC with a USB-C or USB port and one of these operating systems:
macOS version 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
Windows 10 or newer
iTunes 12.8 or newer on a Mac running macOS High Sierra (10.13) through macOS Mojave (10.14.6), Finder on Mac’s running macOS Catalina (10.15) and newer, and iTunes 12.12.10 or newer on a PC, available at
www.itunes.com/download
. Windows 10 and 11 users can also download iTunes via the Microsoft Store.
