New iPad first hour checklist for grandparents
Start here
Do not try to learn everything today. Get four things working: the screen, the internet, your Apple Account and one video call. Let the helper watch, and you tap. Steps checked against Apple's support pages on 2026-11-14. Apple changes menus, so use the links.
Find any setting fast
If a step does not match your screen, open Settings, pull the screen down a little, tap the Search box and type two words such as text size or Wi-Fi. Tap the result and you land in the right place.
Your first hour
1. Turn it on: press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. Swipe up from the bottom edge to reach the Home Screen.
2. Make the text bigger: Settings, then Display & Brightness (on newer software it may be Appearance), then Text Size. Drag the slider right.
3. Turn on Bold Text if you want darker words. Search Settings for bold text.
4. Join Wi-Fi: Settings, Wi-Fi, switch on, tap your network name, type the password, look for the blue checkmark.
5. Sign in to your Apple Account (the older name was Apple ID): Settings, then Sign in at the top.
6. Save family in Contacts, then open FaceTime and make one call.
7. Write your Wi-Fi name and password on a card and keep it near the router.
Wi-Fi name and password are usually on a sticker on the internet box (the router). Take a photo of it with a phone so you do not lose it.
Your first video call
FaceTime is Apple's video call app. Open FaceTime, start a new call, type a saved contact's name or a phone number or email, then choose video. Sit facing a light and lean the iPad on a cushion or books. Ask the family to call once the day before to test sound and picture.
Scam safety. Apple says it will never ask you to share your password or a verification code. Call back only on a number you already have. Apple says gift cards cannot pay bills or government fees, so anyone asking for gift card codes is likely a scammer.
Not affiliated with Apple
This is an independent checklist written with AI help and checked against Apple's public pages on 2026-11-14. Apple, iPad and FaceTime are trademarks of Apple Inc. Tell us if a step no longer matches your screen.
A step is wrong or missing?
Send us a note and we will fix this slate.
