What a tablet is and how it works
A tablet is a flat, portable computer that you control by touching the screen instead of using a keyboard and mouse. The most common tablets are iPads (made by Apple) and Android tablets (made by Samsung, Amazon, and others). When you touch the screen, your finger tells the tablet what to do — open an app, type a message, scroll through a photo, or tap a button.
Inside the tablet is a processor (the brain), storage space (where files live), a battery, and a touchscreen. The battery usually lasts 8 to 12 hours of regular use. You charge it by plugging a cable into the bottom or side, the same way you charge a phone. The tablet runs software called an operating system — iOS for iPads, Android for most others — that manages everything the tablet does.
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 press the home button to unlock it.
- Apps are small programs you tap to open; they live on your home screen, and you can read more from the App Store (iPad) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Swiping, tapping, and pinching are the three main finger movements: tap to select, swipe to move between screens, and pinch to zoom in and out.
- The Settings app controls brightness, sound, Wi-Fi connection, and other features; find it on your home screen or by swiping down from the top.
- Charge your tablet regularly and restart it once a week to keep it running smoothly.
Turning on your tablet and unlocking the screen
Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet for about three seconds. You will see the Apple logo (iPad) or the Android logo appear on the screen. Let go of the button and wait for the tablet to finish starting up — this takes 30 seconds to a minute the first time.
Once the tablet is on, you will see the lock screen with the date and time. To unlock it, swipe up from the bottom of the screen with one finger (iPad) or press the home button if your tablet has one (older iPads and some Android tablets). If your tablet has Face ID or fingerprint recognition, look at the screen or touch the sensor and it will unlock automatically. You are now on the home screen, where all your apps live.
Understanding the home screen and apps
The home screen is the main page you see when you unlock your tablet. It shows a grid of colorful squares and rectangles — these are apps, which are small programs that do specific things. The Mail app lets you read email. The Photos app shows pictures. The Safari app (iPad) or Chrome app (Android) lets you browse the internet. The Settings app controls how your tablet works.
To open an app, tap it once with your finger. The app will open in a few seconds. To go back to the home screen, swipe up from the bottom (iPad) or tap the home button (Android). If you have more than one home screen, swipe left or right to move between them. You can read new apps from the App Store (iPad) or Google Play Store (Android) — tap the store app, search for what you want, and tap "Get" or the price to read it.
The three main finger movements
Tapping is the most common movement. Use one finger to quickly touch the screen once. Tap an app to open it, tap a button to select it, or tap text to place your cursor there. A tap is like a click on a computer mouse.
Swiping means moving your finger across the screen in one direction without lifting it. Swipe left to go to the next page, swipe right to go back, or swipe down to see notifications and settings. Swiping is how you move between screens and scroll through lists.
Pinching uses two fingers at once. Put two fingers on the screen close together, then move them apart to zoom in (make things bigger). Move them together to zoom out (make things smaller). Pinching works in photos, maps, web pages, and most apps that show images or text.
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 swipe down twice from the top (Android) to open the Control Center or Quick Settings. Look for the Wi-Fi icon — it looks like curved lines or a fan. Tap it to turn Wi-Fi on.
Once Wi-Fi is on, a list of nearby networks will appear. Tap the name of your home Wi-Fi network. If it asks for a password, type it in using the keyboard that appears on the screen. The password is usually on the back of your router (the box that brings internet into your home). Once you enter it correctly, the tablet will remember that network and connect automatically next time.
Adjusting brightness, sound, and other settings
To change how bright the screen is, swipe down from the top-right corner (iPad) or swipe down twice from the top (Android). You will see a brightness slider — drag it left to make the screen darker or right to make it brighter. The same panel has a volume slider to control how loud the speakers are.
For more detailed settings, tap the Settings app on your home screen. Inside Settings, you can turn Wi-Fi on and off, change the text size, set up email accounts, manage passwords, and control which apps can use your camera or location. Settings is also where you restart your tablet if it is running slowly — scroll down, tap "General" (iPad) or "System" (Android), and look for "Shut Down" or "Restart".
Typing and using the keyboard
Whenever you need to type — in an email, a search box, or a message — tap where you want to type and a keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen. The keyboard works like a phone keyboard: tap each letter once. If you make a mistake, tap the delete button (the arrow pointing left) to erase the last letter.
To type faster, you can use a physical keyboard connected to your tablet via Bluetooth or a cable, but the on-screen keyboard is fine for most people. If the keyboard is covering what you are trying to see, drag it down by the bar at the top, or swipe it away by swiping down from the top of the keyboard. To hide the keyboard completely, tap the down arrow in the bottom-right corner of the keyboard.
Charging and caring for your tablet
Charge your tablet every night or whenever the battery gets low. Plug the charging cable into the port at the bottom or side of the tablet, then plug the other end into a wall outlet. A lightning bolt icon will appear on the screen to show it is charging. Most tablets charge fully in two to three hours.
To keep your tablet working well, restart it once a week. Hold the power button until you see "Power Off" on the screen, then slide to turn it off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Keep the screen clean by wiping it gently with a soft, dry cloth — do not use water or cleaning products. Store your tablet in a cool, dry place and avoid dropping it or exposing it to extreme heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take a screenshot?
Press the power button and the volume-up button at the same time (iPad) or press the power button and volume-down button together (Android). Hold them for one second, then let go. The screen will flash and you will hear a camera sound. The screenshot is saved in your Photos app.
What do I do if my tablet is frozen and not responding?
Force restart it by holding the power button and volume-down button together for 10 seconds until the screen goes black. Let go and wait for it to turn back on. If that does not work, plug it in to charge and try again after 30 minutes.
Can I use a stylus or pen with my tablet?
Some tablets support a stylus — iPad Pro models work with the Apple Pencil, and many Android tablets work with a stylus. A regular stylus will not work on most tablets; you need one made for your specific model. Check your tablet's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if a stylus is supported.
How do I delete an app I no longer want?
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App" or the trash icon, then confirm. The app is deleted, but you can read it again later from the App Store or Google Play Store if you change your mind.
Why is my tablet running slowly?
Restart it by holding the power button and swiping to turn it off, then turning it back on. If it is still slow, check that you have enough storage space — go to Settings and look at storage. Delete old photos, videos, or apps you do not use. Also make sure Wi-Fi is working well; move closer to your router if the signal is weak.