What a tablet is and how to turn it on

A tablet is a flat, handheld computer with a touchscreen. Unlike a laptop, you control it by tapping and swiping your fingers directly on the screen instead of using a keyboard and mouse. The most common tablets run either Apple's iOS (iPad) or Google's Android operating system.

To turn on your tablet, look for the power button — usually on the edge or back of the device. Press and hold it for a few seconds until you see the manufacturer's logo appear on the screen. The first time you turn it on, the tablet will guide you through setup, asking you to connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with an account (Apple ID for iPad, Google account for Android). Follow the on-screen prompts to complete this process.

Once the tablet is on and set up, the home screen appears — this is your starting point. You'll see a grid of icons (small pictures) representing different apps, or applications. Each app is a program that does one thing: email, maps, photos, web browsing, and so on.

Key Takeaways

  • A tablet works by touching and swiping the screen with your fingers, not by using a keyboard or mouse.
  • The power button is usually on the edge or back; press and hold it until the screen lights up.
  • Tapping an icon once opens an app; swiping left or right moves between screens of apps.
  • The back button (Android) or home button (iPad) takes you back to the main screen from any app.
  • Charging happens through a cable that plugs into the bottom or side of the tablet, usually once a day.

Basic gestures: tapping, swiping, and pinching

Almost everything you do on a tablet uses one of three finger movements. Tapping means pressing your finger on the screen once and lifting it quickly — this opens an app, presses a button, or selects something. Swiping means dragging your finger across the screen in one direction and lifting it. Swiping left or right moves you between screens of apps; swiping up or down scrolls through a list or page. Pinching means putting two fingers on the screen and moving them closer together or farther apart — pinching inward makes text or images smaller, pinching outward makes them larger.

These three gestures work the same way across almost every app on your tablet. Once you learn them, you can navigate almost anywhere. If you make a mistake, straightforward tap the back button (a left-pointing arrow on Android tablets, or the home button on iPad) to return to where you were.

Opening and closing apps

To open an app, tap its icon once on the home screen. The app will load and fill the screen. To close an app and return to the home screen, press the home button (iPad) or swipe up from the bottom of the screen (Android). You can also swipe left or right to move between different screens of apps if your home screen has more than one page.

If an app stops responding or freezes, you can force it to close. On iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle, then swipe up on the app's preview to close it. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find the frozen app, and tap Force Stop. After closing, you can tap the app's icon again to reopen it fresh.

Connecting to Wi-Fi and using the internet

Your tablet needs an internet connection to browse the web, send email, or read apps. Most tablets connect through Wi-Fi, which is wireless internet. To connect, open Settings (usually a gear icon), tap Wi-Fi, and select your network name from the list. If the network is password-protected, you'll be asked to type the password — ask your internet provider or the person who set up the Wi-Fi if you don't know it.

Once connected, open the web browser app (Safari on iPad, Chrome on most Android tablets) and tap the address bar at the top. Type a website address like "google.com" and tap Go. The page will load. To go back to the previous page, tap the back arrow. To search for something, tap the search bar and type your question or topic.

Charging your tablet and managing battery life

Your tablet has a rechargeable battery that powers it. When the battery gets low, you'll see a warning on the screen. Plug the charging cable into the port on the bottom or side of the tablet, and plug the other end into a wall outlet or USB power adapter. Most tablets take two to four hours to charge fully. You can use the tablet while it's charging.

To make your battery last longer between charges, lower the screen brightness (look for brightness controls in Settings), close apps you're not using, and turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when you don't need them. Tablets typically hold a charge for one to two days of normal use, depending on how much you use them.

Adjusting settings and personalizing your tablet

Settings is where you control how your tablet works. Open the Settings app (usually a gear icon) to adjust brightness, sound, Wi-Fi, and other features. On the home screen, you can rearrange app icons by tapping and holding an icon until a menu appears, then dragging it to a new spot. You can also delete apps you don't use by tapping and holding the icon and selecting Delete or Remove.

To add a background image to your home screen, open Settings, look for Display or Wallpaper, and choose a photo from your gallery or the built-in options. You can also organize apps into folders by dragging one app icon onto another — this groups them together and keeps your home screen less cluttered.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your tablet is running slowly, restart it by turning it off completely and turning it back on. If an app keeps crashing, try uninstalling it and downloading it again from the App Store (iPad) or Google Play Store (Android). If you can't connect to Wi-Fi, restart your tablet and your Wi-Fi router (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in).

If the screen is unresponsive or frozen, try restarting the tablet. If the battery won't hold a charge even after a full charge cycle, the battery may be wearing out — contact the manufacturer or visit a repair shop. For problems you can't solve, the manufacturer's support website or a local electronics store can provide hands-on help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an iPad and an Android tablet?

iPad runs Apple's iOS system; Android tablets run Google's Android system. Both work the same basic way — you tap and swipe to control them — but the apps, settings, and appearance are different. iPad apps come from the App Store; Android apps come from Google Play Store. Choose based on which ecosystem your family or friends use, or which device feels comfortable in your hands.

Do I need a keyboard and mouse for a tablet?

No. A tablet is designed to work with just your fingers on the touchscreen. You can buy an optional keyboard and trackpad (or stylus for drawing), but they're not necessary for basic use. Many people use tablets without ever adding extra accessories.

Can I use a tablet without Wi-Fi?

You can use many apps offline — like reading, note-taking, or games — but you need Wi-Fi or mobile data to browse the web, send email, or read new apps. Some tablets have a cellular option that lets you pay for mobile data, similar to a phone, but most rely on Wi-Fi at home or in public places.

How do I know if my tablet needs an update?

Open Settings and look for System, About, or Software Update. If an update is available, you'll see a notification. Updates fix bugs and add security patches, so it's a good idea to install them when prompted. Updates usually happen automatically if you leave your tablet plugged in overnight.

What should I do if I forget my password?

If you forget your Apple ID or Google account password, visit the company's account recovery page on a computer or another device. You'll answer security questions or use a recovery email to reset your password. Once you reset it, you can sign in on your tablet with the new password.