What You Can Do With a Tablet and How to Start
A tablet is a flat, portable computer that you control by touching the screen instead of using a keyboard and mouse. You can read books, watch videos, send email, browse the web, take photos, and run thousands of small programs called apps. Everything happens on one screen—there are no separate windows or folders to manage like on a desktop computer.
When you first turn on a tablet, it will ask you to connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with an account (usually Google on Android tablets, or Apple ID on iPads). This takes about five minutes. After that, the home screen appears—a grid of colorful squares, each one a program you can tap to open.
The most important thing to know is that tablets work by touch. You tap icons with one finger to open them, swipe left or right to move between screens, and pinch two fingers together to zoom out or spread them apart to zoom in. There is no right-click menu or keyboard shortcut to memorize.
Key Takeaways
- Tap icons with one finger to open programs, and swipe left or right across the screen to move between home screens or pages within an app.
- The back button (on Android) or the home button (on iPad) takes you out of any program and returns you to the main screen.
- Pinch two fingers together to make text or images smaller, or spread them apart to make them larger.
- Most tablets connect to the internet through Wi-Fi, and you control volume and brightness using buttons on the side or settings in the menu.
- Closing an app by swiping it off the screen does not delete it—it just stops it from running, and you can open it again anytime.
Navigating the Home Screen and Opening Programs
The home screen is the main page you see when you turn on your tablet or press the home button. It shows a grid of app icons—each one is a program. To open an app, tap it once with your finger. The app will open in full screen.
If you have more apps than fit on one screen, you can swipe left or right with one finger to see more home screens. Some tablets show dots at the bottom of the screen to tell you which screen you are on. Swiping right from the first screen usually takes you to a search page where you can type the name of an app you are looking for.
To go back to the home screen from inside an app, look for a button. On iPad, it is a circle at the bottom center of the screen—press it once. On Android tablets, it is usually a triangle or house icon at the bottom. Press it and you return home when ready.
Using Touch Gestures to Control What You See
Touch gestures are the hand movements you use to control a tablet. The most basic is the tap—press your finger on the screen once and lift it. This opens apps, presses buttons, and selects things. A double-tap (tap twice quickly in the same spot) usually zooms in on text or images to make them larger.
Swiping means sliding your finger across the screen in one direction and lifting it. Swipe left to move forward through pages (like turning a page in a book), or swipe right to go back. Swiping up from the bottom of the screen often opens a menu of settings or recent apps, depending on your tablet type.
Pinching is a two-finger gesture. Put two fingers on the screen and pinch them together (move them closer) to zoom out and see more of the page. Spread them apart (move them farther away) to zoom in and see text or images larger. This works in web browsers, photo apps, and most reading apps.
Long-press means holding your finger on something for two or three seconds without moving. This often opens a menu with extra options, like copying text or deleting an app. If nothing happens after three seconds, lift your finger and try again.
Connecting to Wi-Fi and Using the Internet
Tablets need Wi-Fi to connect to the internet. When you first turn on your tablet, it will ask you to choose a Wi-Fi network. Look for the network name (called an SSID) that matches your home router or the place you are in. Tap it, then type the password if one is required.
Once connected, you can open a web browser (usually called Chrome on Android or Safari on iPad) and search the internet just like on a computer. Type a web address in the address bar at the top, or tap the search box and type what you are looking for. Tap a link to open it, and swipe back to return to the previous page.
If you lose internet connection, check the Wi-Fi icon in the top corner of the screen. If it shows no signal, open your Wi-Fi settings, choose a network, and reconnect. Most tablets remember networks you have used before and reconnect automatically when you are near them again.
Adjusting Volume, Brightness, and Battery Life
Volume buttons are usually on the side of the tablet. Press the top button to make sound louder, or the bottom button to make it quieter. If you want to silence your tablet completely, look for a mute switch (a small toggle) on the side, or go into settings and turn on silent mode.
Brightness controls are in the settings menu. Swipe down from the top of the screen (on most tablets) to open the quick settings panel. Look for a brightness slider and drag it left to dim the screen or right to make it brighter. A dimmer screen uses less battery power.
Battery life depends on what you are doing. Watching videos drains the battery faster than reading. Most tablets last eight to twelve hours of regular use. When the battery is low, a warning appears on the screen. Plug your tablet into a charger using the cable that came with it. Charging usually takes two to four hours for a full charge.
Installing and Removing Apps
Apps are small programs that do specific things—read email, take photos, play games, read books. To find and install new apps, tap the app store icon on your home screen. On iPad it is called the App Store. On Android it is called Google Play Store. Tap the search icon and type what you are looking for.
When you find an app you want, tap the button that says "Get" or "Install" (it may show a price if the app costs money). The app will read and install automatically. Once it is done, a button that says "Open" appears. Tap it to run the app for the first time, or find the app icon on your home screen and tap it later.
To remove an app you no longer want, long-press its icon on the home screen. A menu will appear with options. Look for "Remove" or "Delete" and tap it. The app will be deleted, but you can always install it again later from the app store for free (if it was free the first time).
Taking Photos and Managing Files
Most tablets have a camera app on the home screen. Tap it to open the camera. Point the tablet at what you want to photograph and tap the large circle button to take a picture. The photo is saved automatically to your photo library.
To view photos you have taken, open the Photos app (or Gallery on Android). Tap a photo to see it full-screen. Swipe left or right to move between photos. To delete a photo, tap it, look for a trash or delete button, and tap it.
Files on a tablet are organized differently than on a computer. Most apps store their own files inside themselves. If you read a document or PDF from the web, it usually goes into a Downloads folder. To find it, open the Files app (on iPad) or My Files (on Android), then tap Downloads. From there you can open, move, or delete files.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If an app stops responding or freezes, close it by swiping it off the screen (swipe up from the bottom on iPad, or swipe up and hold on Android). Wait a few seconds, then tap the app icon again to reopen it. This fixes most freezing problems.
If your tablet is running slowly, restart it. Press and hold the power button until a menu appears, then tap "Power Off" or "Restart." Wait ten seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Restarting clears temporary files and often speeds things up.
If you forget your password or cannot sign in, look for a "Forgot Password" link on the sign-in screen. You will need access to the email address you used to set up the account. Follow the steps to reset your password, which usually involves receiving a link by email.
If Wi-Fi is not working, turn off Wi-Fi, wait five seconds, then turn it back on. If that does not work, restart your tablet. If the problem continues, restart your internet router (the box that provides Wi-Fi) by unplugging it for ten seconds and plugging it back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type on a tablet if there is no keyboard?
A keyboard appears on the screen when you tap a text box (like an email or search bar). Tap the keys with your finger to type. You can also buy a separate wireless keyboard that connects to your tablet, which works like a computer keyboard. Most people find the on-screen keyboard fine for short messages and searches.
Can I use a tablet to print documents?
Yes, if your printer is wireless and on the same Wi-Fi network as your tablet. Open the document or photo you want to print, look for a share or print button (usually three dots or lines), and select print. Choose your printer from the list and tap print. Some printers require you to install their app first.
What is the difference between closing an app and deleting it?
Closing an app (swiping it off the screen) just stops it from running—the app is still on your tablet and you can open it again anytime. Deleting an app removes it completely from your tablet. You can reinstall it later from the app store if you change your mind.
How do I know if my tablet is charging?
When you plug in the charger, a lightning bolt or charging icon appears in the top corner of the screen. On most tablets, a light also appears near the charging port. The battery percentage in the top corner will increase as it charges. It is safe to use your tablet while it is charging.
Can I connect my tablet to a TV?
Yes, using a wireless connection or a cable. Many tablets support a feature called screen mirroring or casting, which sends what is on your tablet screen to a TV wirelessly. Look in settings for "Cast" or "Screen Mirroring" and follow the steps. You can also buy a cable that connects your tablet to a TV's HDMI port, though this is less common now.