The Settings app can be found on smartphones, tablets, and computers. It contains all types of information about the device and it's systems. The Settings app can be used to connect your device to the internet, connect to Bluetooth, change display preferences, adjust privacy controls, as well as keep the device software up to date!
How do I use it?
When you first click on the Settings app, it will have a search bar at the top, as well as provide you with a list of subtopics. The search bar (circled in red) and the different subtopics (yellow) help users navigate the app and find the specific location of the information they need. Included below are some of the most basic functions necessary to use your smartphone to it's fullest potential.
How To: Connect to the internet (WiFi or personal hotspot)
Tap Wi-Fi: In the Settings menu, you'll see a list of options. Tap on "Wi-Fi" to access the Wi-Fi settings.
Turn on Wi-Fi: If Wi-Fi is not already turned on, tap the switch at the top of the screen to turn it on. Your iPhone will start scanning for available Wi-Fi networks.
Select a network: After a moment, a list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear under the "Choose a Network" section. Tap on the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to. There will be a separate option for Personal Hotspots that are available to join. If the network is hidden, tap "Other..." and manually enter the network name (SSID), security type, and password.
Enter the password (if required): If the Wi-Fi network is secured, you will be prompted to enter the password. Tap on the password field and use the on-screen keyboard to enter the Wi-Fi password. If you're connecting to a network you've connected to before, and you have "Auto-Join" enabled, you might not need to enter the password again.
Tap Join: Once you've entered the password, tap the "Join" button. Your iPhone will attempt to connect to the selected Wi-Fi network.
Wait for connection: Your iPhone will attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi network. If the password is correct and the network is within range, your iPhone will connect to the Wi-Fi network successfully.
Confirmation: Once connected, you'll see a checkmark next to the Wi-Fi network name, and the Wi-Fi icon will appear in the status bar at the top of the screen.
How To: Connect to Bluetooth
Tap Bluetooth: In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on "Bluetooth" to access the Bluetooth settings.
Turn on Bluetooth: If Bluetooth is not already turned on, tap the switch at the top of the screen to turn it on. Your iPhone will start scanning for available Bluetooth devices.
Put your Bluetooth device in pairing mode: Depending on the device you want to connect (e.g., Bluetooth headphones, speaker, keyboard), follow its specific instructions to put it into pairing mode. This usually involves holding down a button or pressing a combination of buttons until a light starts blinking or a pairing message appears.
Wait for your device to appear: After a moment, your iPhone will display a list of available Bluetooth devices under the "Other Devices" section. Tap on the name of the device you want to connect to.
Pair your device: If required, enter a PIN code or confirm a pairing request on both your iPhone and the Bluetooth device. Follow any on-screen instructions that appear to complete the pairing process.
Confirmation: Once paired, the Bluetooth device will appear in the "My Devices" section with a "Connected" status next to it. You may also receive a confirmation message on your device or a sound indicating that the connection was successful.
How To: Change Display Preferences
Hold down on your lock screen and swipe right to add a new wallpaper or go to the Settings app.
Tap Wallpaper: In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on "Wallpaper" to access the Wallpaper settings.
Choose a new wallpaper: You'll see options for both the lock screen and the home screen wallpapers. Tap on either "Choose a New Wallpaper" or the thumbnail of the current wallpaper.
Select a source: You can choose to select a new wallpaper from Apple's preloaded options (Dynamic, Stills, or Live), your own photos by tapping on "All Photos," or from your photo albums.
Preview and select: Browse through the available wallpapers and tap on the one you want to use.
Adjust if necessary: You can pinch to zoom in or out on the image to adjust its position and size. Once you're happy with how it looks, tap "Set."
Choose where to apply: You'll be prompted to choose whether you want to set the selected wallpaper for the lock screen, home screen, or both. Make your selection, and then tap "Set Lock Screen," "Set Home Screen," or "Set Both" accordingly.
Confirmation: The wallpaper for the selected screen(s) will be updated, and you'll see the changes immediately on your iPhone's display.
Find Display & Brightness: In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on "Display & Brightness." This option may vary depending on your iOS version.
Adjust Text Size: In the "Display & Brightness" menu, you'll see various options. Look for "Text Size" and tap on it.
Adjust the slider: You'll see a slider labeled "Text Size." Move the slider to the left to decrease the font size or to the right to increase it. As you adjust the slider, the preview text above will change size accordingly, giving you an idea of how your text will appear.
Check the changes: After adjusting the text size to your preference, exit the Settings app and navigate to any app or screen where text is displayed. You'll notice that the font size has changed based on your settings.
There are also other display preferences you can explore in this area including bolded text, brightness levels, and more!
How To: Adjust Privacy Controls
Tap Privacy: Scroll down and tap on "Privacy" or "Privacy & Security" to access the privacy settings. The Privacy menu contains various options for controlling your iPhone's privacy settings.
Choose a Privacy Setting: In the Privacy menu, you'll find various categories such as Location Services, Contacts, Calendars, Photos, Microphone, Camera, and more. Tap on the category that corresponds to the privacy control you want to adjust.
Adjust Privacy Controls: Within each privacy category, you'll see a list of apps that have requested access to that particular feature. For example, in the "Location Services" category, you'll see a list of apps that have requested access to your location. Tap on an app to adjust its privacy settings.
Review Permissions: For each app listed, you can toggle the switch to grant or revoke its access to the corresponding feature. For example, in the "Location Services" category, you can choose to allow an app to access your location "Always," "While Using the App," or "Never." Similarly, in other categories, you can toggle access to contacts, photos, microphone, camera, and other features on or off.
How To: Update Software
Tap General: In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on "General" to access the general settings.
Tap Software Update: Within the "General" settings, you'll see an option called "Software Update." Tap on it to check for available updates.
Check for updates: Your iPhone will now check for available software updates. If an update is available, you'll see a description of the update, including its size and any new features or improvements.
Download and install: If an update is available, tap "Download and Install" to begin the update process. You may be prompted to enter your passcode if you have one set up.
Agree to terms and conditions: If required, you'll need to agree to the terms and conditions before proceeding with the update. Tap "Agree" to continue.
Wait for the update to download and install: The download and installation process may take some time, depending on the size of the update and your internet connection speed. Your iPhone will restart automatically during the installation process.