Turn on your tablet and connect to Wi-Fi
Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet until the screen lights up and you see the manufacturer's logo. This takes about 10 seconds. The tablet will then walk you through setup screens — you'll choose your language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, and sign into an account (usually Google on Android tablets, Apple ID on iPads).
To connect to Wi-Fi, tap the network name from the list that appears, then enter the password. If you don't see your network, make sure your router is turned on and within 30 feet of the tablet. Once connected, you'll see a Wi-Fi symbol in the top corner of the screen.
Setup takes 10 to 15 minutes the first time. Keep your Wi-Fi password handy — you'll need it during this step. Don't worry if you skip any step; you can change these settings later in the Settings app.
Key Takeaways
- The power button turns the tablet on and off; hold it for 10 seconds to start, then tap it briefly to lock the screen when you're done.
- The home screen shows your apps as icons; tap any icon once to open it, and swipe left or right to see more pages of apps.
- The back button (Android) or swipe-left gesture (iPad) closes the current app and returns you to the previous screen.
- Adjust brightness and volume using the buttons on the side of the tablet, or find these controls in Settings if the buttons don't work.
- Charge the tablet by plugging the cable into the port at the bottom; a full charge takes 4 to 6 hours and lasts one to two days of regular use.
Learn the main buttons and gestures
Most tablets have a power button on the side, and volume buttons above or below it. Tap the power button once to lock the screen (turn it black) when you're not using it. Tap it again to wake it up. Hold the power button for 10 seconds only if you need to force the tablet to shut down completely — this is rare.
On Android tablets, a back button (usually an arrow) appears at the bottom left of the screen. Tap it to go back one step or close the current app. On iPads, swipe from the left edge of the screen toward the right to go back. Both gestures do the same thing: they undo your last action and return you to the previous screen.
To see all your open apps, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPad) or tap the square button at the bottom (Android). This shows thumbnails of every app you've opened. Tap any thumbnail to switch to that app, or swipe it away to close it.
Open apps and navigate the home screen
The home screen is the main page you see when you turn on the tablet. It shows rows of colorful squares called icons — each one represents an app. Tap any icon once to open that app. Wait for the app to load; this usually takes 2 to 5 seconds the first time you open it.
If you don't see the app you want, swipe left or right across the home screen to see more pages. You can also swipe down from the top of the screen and type the app's name into the search box to find it quickly. Once you find an app, tap it to open it.
To close an app and return to the home screen, tap the home button (the circle at the bottom of an iPad, or swipe up from the bottom on newer iPads). On Android, tap the home button or swipe up from the bottom. The app stays in memory, so opening it again is faster.
Adjust brightness, volume, and battery settings
Use the physical volume buttons on the side of the tablet to make sounds louder or quieter. Press the upper button to increase volume, the lower button to decrease it. These buttons also control the volume of videos, music, and calls.
To adjust screen brightness, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (iPad) or top-left corner (Android) to open the quick settings menu. You'll see a brightness slider — drag it left to dim the screen or right to make it brighter. A brighter screen uses more battery, so dimming it extends how long the tablet runs between charges.
Check your battery level by looking at the percentage shown in the top-right corner. When it drops below 20 percent, the tablet will warn you. Plug in the charging cable to the port at the bottom of the tablet. A full charge takes 4 to 6 hours; most tablets last one to two days of regular use on a single charge.
Type text and use the on-screen keyboard
Whenever you need to type — in an email, search box, or message — tap the text field and the keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen. The keyboard works like a phone keyboard: tap each letter once. If you tap the wrong letter, tap the delete button (the arrow pointing left) to erase it.
To type a capital letter, tap the shift button (the up arrow) once, then tap the letter. To type numbers or punctuation, tap the number key (usually labeled "123") to switch to the number keyboard, then tap the symbol you want. Tap the letter key to switch back to letters.
If typing is slow, try holding your finger on a letter for a moment — a menu of similar letters often appears, letting you pick accented versions (like é or ñ) without switching keyboards. Tap the space bar to add a space between words. When you're done typing, tap outside the keyboard or tap the return key to close it.
Connect to the internet and use web browsers
Your tablet connects to the internet through Wi-Fi. If you're not connected, you'll see a Wi-Fi icon with an X in the top corner. Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Wi-Fi, and choose your network from the list. Enter the password if prompted.
To browse the web, tap the browser app — usually called Safari (iPad) or Chrome (Android). The app opens to a home page with a search box at the top. Tap the search box, type what you're looking for, and tap the search button. The browser will show you results. Tap any result to open that website.
To go back to the previous website, tap the back arrow in the top-left corner. To open a new tab, tap the plus button in the top-right corner. Close a tab by tapping the X next to its name. Websites load faster on tablets than on phones because the screen is larger and the processor is usually more powerful.
Charge the battery and care for your tablet
Plug the charging cable into the port at the bottom of the tablet, then plug the other end into a wall outlet. A lightning bolt icon appears on the battery indicator in the top corner, showing that the tablet is charging. Leave it plugged in for 4 to 6 hours for a full charge.
Don't let the battery drain completely very often — tablets last longer if you charge them when they reach 20 percent. Avoid leaving the tablet in direct sunlight or in a hot car, as heat damages the battery. If the tablet gets hot while charging, unplug it and let it cool for 15 minutes.
Clean the screen with a soft, dry cloth. Don't use water or cleaning products, as they can damage the screen. If you spill liquid on the tablet, turn it off when ready, unplug the charger, and let it dry for at least 24 hours before turning it back on. Keep the tablet away from small children and pets if possible, and use a protective case to prevent drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if the tablet won't turn on?
Plug it in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes — the battery may be completely empty. If it still won't turn on, hold the power button for 30 seconds, then release it and wait 10 seconds. Press the power button again to turn it on. If nothing happens after that, contact the manufacturer's support line.
How do I make the text bigger so it's easier to read?
Open Settings, then look for Display or Accessibility. You'll find a text size or font size slider. Drag it to the right to make text larger. On iPads, you can also pinch the screen with two fingers and spread them apart to zoom in on any webpage or document.
Can I use the tablet without Wi-Fi?
You can use apps that don't need the internet — like the calendar, notes, or calculator — without Wi-Fi. But email, web browsing, video streaming, and most other apps require an internet connection. Some tablets have cellular service (like a phone), which lets you connect anywhere, but this usually costs extra.
What's the difference between closing an app and deleting it?
Closing an app just hides it; the app is still on your tablet and you can open it again anytime. Deleting an app removes it completely. To delete an app, hold your finger on its icon for 2 seconds until a menu appears, then tap Delete or Remove. You can always read it again later from the app store.
Why is my tablet running slowly?
Close apps you're not using by swiping them away from the recent apps menu. Restart the tablet by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then turning it back on. If it's still slow, check that you have enough storage space by opening Settings and looking for Storage. Delete old photos or videos if storage is nearly full.