Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson: If you just bought a new iPhone, here’s what to do first when you fire it up.
Apple announces new iPhones every year, and I often wonder if that’s truly necessary. A launch every two years seems more reasonable, especially since the new iPhones are often only marginally better than the ones released the year before. This has been the case since the iPhone 12.
However, in 2024, Apple introduced a range of interesting features with the iPhone 16. While these features don’t necessarily justify an upgrade if you already own the iPhone 15 or even the iPhone 14, they make the iPhone 16 a worthy purchase if you’re using an older model or an Android phone.
If you’ve already made the purchase, or if you’ve bought another iPhone, here are the first things you should do and try when you fire up your new phone. (First things to do if you got a new Android)
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First things first, let’s update your software to iOS 18.2 or later:
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To add a passcode or biometric authentication to your new iPhone after updating to iOS 18.2 or later, follow these steps:
For Face ID:
IS IT TIME FOR ME TO UPGRADE TO NEW IPHONE?
Create or sign in to Apple ID:
Enable iCloud:
MUST TURN-OFF PRIVACY SETTINGS ON YOUR IPHONE
Customize Display:
Customize sound preferences:
Manage Privacy Settings:
By default in iOS 18, you get flashlight and camera shortcuts on the lock screen, but now you can finally customize them.
Here’s how to enable Family Sharing on your iPhone:
There are millions of apps available, such as Apple Maps, Google Maps and even apps to plan a party in the App Store. To download useful apps on your new iPhone, follow these straightforward steps:
Having a strong spam filter on your iPhone is beneficial to protect yourself from unwanted text messages and scams. But beware that this may also filter out some legitimate messages from people who are not in your contacts list.
On all iPhone 16 models, you can use Camera Control with visual intelligence to quickly learn more about the stuff around you. Just press and hold the Camera Control, which is a new button on the right side of the device, and you can do things like look up info about a restaurant or business, translate text, get a summary, have it read out loud and more.
You can even use it to find details about a business, like its hours, services and contact info. Depending on the place, you might also be able to check reviews, make a reservation or order for delivery.
To use this feature, point your iPhone camera at the business in front of you, then press and hold the Camera Control. Next, either tap the Camera Control again or select the business name at the top of the screen. Depending on the business, you can:
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Apple made several changes to the iPhones with its iOS 18 update, including updates to the Journal app. You don’t need the latest iPhone 16 to try the app’s mindfulness option for journal entries; any iPhone with iOS 18 will do. When you open the Journal app, tap the icon that looks like a tiny tree, and you’ll be able to log your mood for each day and see how it changes over time.
The Action Button is part of the iOS 17 operating system for the iPhone 15 series and continues into iOS 18 for the iPhone 16 series. This customizable side button lets you choose a specific function to perform when pressed, such as turning on silent mode, focus, camera, flashlight, voice memo, recognize music, translate, magnifier, controls, shortcut and accessibility, depending on your settings. Essentially, it acts as a quick access key for a chosen action. Here are the steps to customize the Action button on supported iPhone models:
I always stress the importance of using a password manager to store your passwords. Let’s be honest, we all have a ton of apps and services that require an account and password. If you use the same password everywhere, you risk having your important info stolen by cybercriminals. But it’s also impossible to come up with a unique password for every app and remember them all.
Password managers make life easier by storing your passwords and filling them in when you log into apps. But they usually charge a monthly or yearly fee. That’s where Apple’s Passwords app comes in. It works just like a password manager but without the extra cost. Open the app from the App Library, and it’ll keep your login details encrypted and synced across all your devices.
While Apple’s new Passwords app in iOS 18 offers a convenient and cost-free solution for password management, it’s important to consider its limitations. These include its exclusivity to the Apple ecosystem, lack of compatibility with Android or Linux devices and limited functionality outside of Safari and Apple apps. For those seeking a more comprehensive password management solution that works across various browsers and apps, check out my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.
Apple introduced Apple Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro and newer models running iOS 18.2, bringing a range of AI tools and ChatGPT support. ChatGPT is now built into various parts of iOS, and if you have an iPhone 15 Pro or above, you can take full advantage of this integration.
You can use Apple’s enhanced Writing Tools to access ChatGPT directly in apps like Notes, Mail and any other text input field. Whether you need help spicing up your notes or generating complex programming scripts, ChatGPT is up for the task. Here’s how to get started; you’ll need to enable ChatGPT integration.
Antivirus software can help protect your new iPhone from malware, phishing and other threats. The best way to protect yourself from having your data breached is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. Having strong antivirus software on your devices will alert you of any known malware that is targeting you, warn you against clicking on any known malicious links in phishing emails and ultimately help protect you from being hacked. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your iPhone, Mac, Windows and Android devices.
Making data backups a regular part of your iPhone maintenance is crucial. This way, you can protect yourself against uncertainties. Whether it’s a hardware malfunction or a security breach, having a recent backup will let you recover quickly.
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When you get your new iPhone, there are several essential steps to take to ensure you’re getting the most out of your device. Start by updating to iOS 18.2 or later to access the latest features. Next, security measures like a passcode or biometric authentication should be set up for added protection. Personalize your settings by customizing your display and sound preferences, and don’t forget to enable Family Sharing if you want to connect with loved ones. Also, explore the App Store to download useful apps. Additionally, make sure to give the Action Button a test run for quick access to your favorite functions. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your new iPhone’s capabilities.
How do you feel about the annual iPhone releases? Do you think they provide enough value each year? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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