Smartphones & Tablets

Everything Smartphone Beginners Should Know Before Getting Started

8 min read · Aug 15, 2024

In This Article

New to smartphones? This guide covers the basics — apps, settings, storage, and security — so you can feel confident using your device from day one.

Key Takeaways

A smartphone is a handheld computer that runs apps and connects to the internet over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Two major operating systems exist — iOS (Apple) and Android — and both work similarly at a basic level.
Understanding storage, app permissions, and screen locks will serve you well from your very first day.
Security habits like strong PINs and keeping software updated protect your personal information.
Most settings and features are designed to be adjusted without any technical knowledge.

What a Smartphone Actually Is

A smartphone is a handheld computer that happens to also make phone calls. It connects to the internet, runs software applications (called apps), and stores your photos, messages, and documents — all in a device that fits in your pocket.

Almost all smartphones run one of two operating systems: iOS, made by Apple for iPhones, or Android, used by a wide range of manufacturers. An operating system is the core software that manages everything else — think of it as the engine under the hood. For a deeper look at the hardware making all of this possible, see our plain-language tour of smartphone hardware.

Operating System

The core software that runs your phone and manages all other apps. iOS and Android are the two most common examples on smartphones.

App

A program you download to perform a specific task — like reading email, navigating, or browsing the web — on your phone.

Storage

The built-in space on your device used to hold apps, photos, messages, and files. When it fills up, your phone may slow down or stop accepting new files.

Permissions

The access rights an app requests — such as access to your camera, location, or contacts. You can grant or revoke these in your phone's Settings.

Cloud Backup

A copy of your phone's data stored on remote servers over the internet, so your photos and contacts are safe even if your device is lost or damaged.

Mobile Data

Internet access delivered through your cellular carrier's network. It works anywhere with a signal but is typically limited by a monthly data allowance.

Navigating the Basics: Gestures and Settings

Modern smartphones rely on touchscreen gestures rather than physical buttons for most actions. Here are the ones you will use daily:

Tap — a single touch to open an app or select something.
Swipe — slide your finger across the screen to scroll or switch between screens.
Pinch and spread — use two fingers to zoom out or in on photos and web pages.
Long press — hold your finger on an item for extra options.

Your phone's Settings app is where you control almost everything — display brightness, notification sounds, Wi-Fi networks, and more. Spend a few minutes exploring it early on; most options have plain descriptions that make their purpose clear without any technical background.

Explore Settings Gradually

You do not need to learn every setting at once. Start by locating Display, Sound, and Wi-Fi settings — those will be the most immediately useful. As you grow comfortable, explore Notifications and Privacy to fine-tune how your phone behaves throughout the day.

Apps, Storage, and Keeping Things Organized

Apps are programs you download to do specific things — browse the web, take photos, check email, or navigate with maps. You find them in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Before installing an app, check the permissions it requests. An app asking to access your microphone or location should have an obvious reason for needing it.

Storage is the space your phone uses to hold apps, photos, and files. When storage fills up, the phone can slow down or prevent you from taking new photos. Offloading photos to a cloud backup service and periodically deleting unused apps are the simplest ways to keep space available.

Organize your home screen by grouping related apps into folders — most phones let you do this by long-pressing an app icon and dragging it onto another. A tidy home screen makes everything faster to find.

Staying Secure From Day One

Setting up a screen lock — a PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint — is the single most important security step you can take. It prevents anyone who picks up your phone from accessing your accounts and personal data.

Beyond the lock screen, keep the following in mind:

Install software updates promptly, since they frequently patch security vulnerabilities.
Be cautious on public Wi-Fi; avoid logging into banking or email on networks you do not trust.
Review app permissions in Settings periodically and revoke access that no longer makes sense.

For a thorough look at everyday security habits, our article on keeping your phone secure covers the full picture. And before you ever pass an old phone along to someone else, check our checklist for handing off an old phone to make sure your data is fully removed.

Public Wi-Fi Carries Real Risks

Open Wi-Fi networks in cafés, airports, and hotels are convenient, but they can expose your activity to others on the same network. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts — like banking or email — over public Wi-Fi unless you are using a trusted VPN. When in doubt, switch to your mobile data connection instead.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Mobile Data, and Bluetooth

Your phone can connect to the internet in two ways. Wi-Fi uses a wireless router — typically at home or in a coffee shop — and does not count against your cellular plan. Mobile data (sometimes called cellular data) comes from your carrier's network and is available nearly everywhere, but usage is capped by your monthly plan.

A quick rule of thumb: connect to Wi-Fi when you can, and switch to mobile data when Wi-Fi is unavailable. You can toggle both in Settings or from the quick-access panel (swipe down from the top of most screens).

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless connection used to pair accessories like wireless earbuds, speakers, and car audio systems. Turn it off when you are not using it to conserve battery life.

What to Learn Next

Once you are comfortable with the fundamentals, there is plenty more to explore. If you are switching from an older device, our walkthrough for moving data to a new phone will help you transfer contacts, photos, and apps without losing anything.

Curious about software updates? Learn about common update mistakes and how to avoid them before your next system update arrives.

Smartphones also sit at the center of a wider connected home. The Home Tech Basics hub is a good place to explore how your phone fits into the broader picture of modern home technology.

guide

Smartphone Hardware Explained

A plain-language tour of what is inside your phone — processors, sensors, and more — so you understand what the specs on the box actually mean for everyday use.

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Phone Security Habits Guide

Covers the practical daily habits — from managing app permissions to setting strong PINs — that meaningfully protect your personal data on mobile devices.

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How Smartphone Cameras Work

Explains how lenses, image sensors, and software processing combine to produce your phone's photos, going well beyond the megapixel count.

What is the difference between iOS and Android?

iOS runs exclusively on Apple iPhones, while Android is used by many manufacturers including Samsung and Google. Both let you make calls, send messages, and download apps, but their menus and default apps differ. Either system is beginner-friendly, so the choice often comes down to personal preference or which devices your family or friends use.

How do I free up storage space on my smartphone?

Start by deleting apps you no longer use and clearing the cache in settings. Move photos and videos to a cloud backup service to remove them from local storage. Some phones also have a built-in storage analyzer that shows which files are taking the most space.

What is mobile data and when do I use it?

Mobile data is internet access provided by your cellular carrier, used when you are not connected to Wi-Fi. It draws from your monthly data plan, so streaming video or downloading large files on mobile data can use up your allowance quickly. Connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks whenever possible to conserve data.

Is it safe to download any app from the app store?

Official app stores (App Store and Google Play) review apps before listing them, but not every app is equally trustworthy. Read the app's permissions carefully before installing — an app that requests access to your contacts or camera should have a clear reason for needing it. Stick to apps with strong ratings and a visible developer name.

How often should I update my phone's software?

Install system updates promptly because they often include security fixes that protect your device from newly discovered vulnerabilities. Before updating, make sure your battery is charged above 50% and you have enough free storage. Delaying updates for long periods leaves your device more exposed to known risks.

What should I do if I get a new phone?

Set up a screen lock immediately, sign in with your account (Apple ID or Google account), and connect to Wi-Fi. From there, restore a backup if you have one from a previous device. Our guide to setting up a new smartphone walks through the full process step by step.

Tech & Electronics Editorial Team

Tech & Electronics Editorial Team is the collective byline for our editorial team and contributor network. Articles published under this byline or an editorial pen name are researched, written, and reviewed according to our editorial standards for clarity, consistency, and independence before publication.