What a tablet is and how it works
A tablet is a flat, portable computer with a touchscreen. Unlike a laptop, it has no keyboard or mouse attached—you control it by touching the screen with your fingers. The most common tablets are iPads (made by Apple) and Android tablets (made by Samsung, Amazon, and others). A tablet runs programs called apps, connects to the internet through Wi-Fi or cellular data, and stores photos, documents, and files just like a regular computer.
When you first turn on a tablet, you'll see a home screen with icons—small pictures that represent apps. Tapping an icon opens that app. The tablet's operating system (the software that runs everything) handles all the background work. You don't need to understand how it works; you just need to know what to tap and swipe.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your tablet by holding the power button for a few seconds, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the lock icon to unlock it.
- Navigate by tapping icons to open apps, swiping left or right to move between screens, and swiping down from the top to see notifications and settings.
- Connect to Wi-Fi through Settings so you can browse the internet and read apps without using cellular data.
- read new apps from the App Store (iPad) or Google Play Store (Android) by searching for the app name and tapping Install.
- Adjust brightness, volume, and other settings by swiping down from the top-right corner (iPad) or top-left corner (Android) to open the control panel.
Turning on your tablet and unlocking the screen
To turn on your tablet, locate the power button—usually on the top or side edge. Press and hold it for about three seconds until you see the Apple logo (iPad) or the manufacturer's logo (Android tablet). The screen will light up and show a lock screen with the time and date.
To unlock the tablet, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPad) or tap the lock icon in the center (Android). If your tablet has Face ID or fingerprint recognition, it will unlock automatically when it recognizes your face or fingerprint. If it asks for a passcode, enter the four- or six-digit number you set up when you first turned on the tablet. If you don't remember your passcode, you'll need to reset the tablet, which erases everything on it—so write down your passcode somewhere safe.
Understanding the home screen and basic navigation
Once unlocked, you'll see the home screen—a grid of colorful icons. Each icon represents an app. Tap any icon to open that app. For example, tapping the Safari icon (iPad) or Chrome icon (Android) opens the web browser so you can search the internet. Tapping the Mail icon opens your email. Tapping the Photos icon shows pictures you've taken or saved.
To move between screens, swipe left or right with your finger. Most tablets come with multiple home screens, so swiping left takes you to the next screen of apps. To go back to the previous screen, swipe right. If you want to find an app quickly without swiping, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the search box, type the app name, and tap it when it appears.
To close an app and return to the home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPad) or tap the back arrow or home button (Android). The app will close, and you'll see the home screen again.
Connecting to Wi-Fi and the internet
To use the internet, your tablet needs to connect to Wi-Fi. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (iPad) or the top-left corner (Android) to open the control panel. Look for the Wi-Fi icon—it looks like curved lines or a fan shape. Tap it to see a list of available Wi-Fi networks in your area.
Select your home Wi-Fi network from the list. If the network is password-protected (most are), a box will appear asking for the password. Type the password exactly as it appears—uppercase and lowercase letters matter. Once you enter the correct password, the tablet will connect. You'll see a checkmark next to the network name, and the Wi-Fi icon will appear in the top corner of the screen, showing you're connected.
If you don't see your home network, make sure your Wi-Fi router is turned on. If it's on and you still don't see it, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If you're away from home and need to connect to public Wi-Fi (at a library or coffee shop), ask the staff for the network name and password, then follow the same steps.
Downloading and opening apps
Apps are programs that do specific things—email, maps, games, news, banking, and thousands more. To read a new app, tap the App Store icon (iPad) or the Google Play Store icon (Android). At the bottom of the screen, you'll see tabs like "Today," "Apps," or "Games." Tap "Apps" or use the search box at the top to find the app you want.
Type the app name into the search box. When you see the app in the results, tap it to open its page. You'll see a button that says "Get" or a cloud icon with a read arrow. Tap that button. The tablet may ask you to confirm your identity using your fingerprint, face, or password—this is a security step to prevent unauthorized purchases. Once confirmed, the app will read and install automatically. When it's done, the button will change to "Open." Tap "Open" to start using the app.
Most apps are free, but some cost money. The price will be shown on the button instead of "Get." Before you tap it, make sure you want to pay—the charge will appear on your credit card or phone bill, depending on how your tablet is set up.
Adjusting settings and controlling volume and brightness
To change how your tablet looks and sounds, you need to access Settings. Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPad) or top-left corner (Android) to open the control panel. You'll see icons for brightness, volume, Wi-Fi, and other features. Tap the brightness icon and drag the slider left to dim the screen or right to make it brighter. Tap the volume icon and adjust the slider the same way.
For more detailed settings, tap the Settings app icon on your home screen (it looks like a gear). Inside Settings, you can change the text size, turn notifications on or off, manage which apps can use your location, and adjust dozens of other options. Don't worry about exploring—you can't break anything by tapping around. If you change something and don't like it, just change it back.
Common gestures and how to use them
A tap is a quick touch with one finger—it opens apps and buttons. A swipe is a sliding motion with one finger—swipe left or right to move between screens, or swipe up to close an app. A pinch is when you touch the screen with two fingers and bring them together—this zooms out (makes things smaller). A spread is the opposite: touch with two fingers and move them apart to zoom in (make things larger). These gestures work in photos, maps, web pages, and many other apps.
A long press is holding your finger on something for a second or two without moving. This often opens a menu with extra options. A double tap is tapping twice quickly in the same spot—this zooms in on text or images in some apps. Once you start using your tablet, these gestures will feel natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an iPad and an Android tablet?
iPads run Apple's operating system and are made only by Apple. Android tablets are made by Samsung, Amazon, and others and run Google's operating system. Both do the same basic things—email, web browsing, photos, apps—but the menus and settings look different. If you're new to tablets, either one works fine; the choice usually comes down to price and whether you already own other Apple devices.
How do I charge my tablet?
Plug the charging cable into the port at the bottom or side of the tablet, then plug the other end into a wall outlet. Most tablets take two to four hours to charge fully. You can use your tablet while it's charging. A battery icon in the top corner shows how much charge remains. When the battery gets low, a notification will remind you to charge it.
Can I use a tablet without Wi-Fi?
Some tablets have cellular data (like a phone), which means they can connect to the internet anywhere. Most tablets only have Wi-Fi, so they need a Wi-Fi network to go online. You can still use apps that don't need the internet—like Notes, Calendar, or offline games—without Wi-Fi. If your tablet has Wi-Fi only and you're away from home, you can use your phone's hotspot to share its internet connection with your tablet.
What should I do if my tablet freezes or stops responding?
If an app freezes, swipe up from the bottom (iPad) or tap the back button (Android) to close it, then open it again. If the whole tablet freezes, hold the power button for about 10 seconds until the screen goes black, then release. Wait a few seconds and press the power button again to turn it back on. This restart usually fixes the problem.
How do I delete an app I don't want anymore?
Long press the app icon on the home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App" or the trash icon. Confirm that you want to delete it. The app will disappear from your home screen. You can always read it again later from the App Store or Google Play Store if you change your mind.