Archive for category iPhone Basics

iPhone Basics: How to Turn On Call Forwarding

The iPhone makes it a snap to activate call forwarding—there’s no need to call anyone or deal with voice menus. You simply activate it in the iPhone’s Settings. Just follow these instructions (note that all calls forwarded will count against your iPhone’s minutes):

1. Open Settings:


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iPhone Basics: How to Create a Playlist on the iPhone

iOS 4 brought with it a new way to make playlists on the iPhone, replacing the clunky “On the Go” playlists from the previous version of the iPhone software. Now, playlists can be created, named, edited, and synched back to iTunes. Here’s how to create a playlist on the iPhone:

How to Create an iPhone Playlist

1. Tap the iPod app to open it:


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Basics: How to Change the iPhone’s Default From: Email Address

Is the wrong email address showing up in the iPhone’s From: field by default? Here’s how to change it. Note that the default email address only works for new emails created in the “All Inboxes” view and in emails created outside of the iPhone’s Mail app. For example, in third-party apps.

How to Change the Default Email Account:

1. Tap Settings:


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Basics: How to Activate FaceTime on the iPhone

If you’re trying to use the FaceTime feature on your new iPhone 4 and find that there are no on-screen buttons to tap or any ways to access it, it’s likely because you restored your new iPhone 4 with a backup of your previous iPhone, which for some bizarre reason disables FaceTime. You’ll need to reactivate it in the iPhone’s Settings (new iPhone 4 owners who don’t restore from a backup have FaceTime accessible by default). To activate FaceTime, you must go into the iPhone’s Settings, scroll down and tap Phone, then slide the FaceTime slider to On, like thus:

After it’s activated, you can make a FaceTime call by making a normal phone call and tapping the on-screen FaceTime option once connected (requires a WiFi connection and the other person to have an iPhone 4), or you can make a direct FaceTime to FaceTime call by selecting an individual contact and tapping the FaceTime button:

Bes sure to check out more of our iPhone Tips.

Basics: How to Give an iPhone Contact Their Own Specific Ringtone

The iPhone comes with a default ringtone that plays anytime a call comes in. You may know you can easily change that ringtone in the iPhone’s settings, but did you know you can also give each person in your iPhone contacts list their own special ringtone? Below are step-by-step instructions on how to do this.

1. Go to your iPhone’s contacts list:

2. Tap a contact:


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Basics: How To Order iPhone Contacts By First or Last Name

The iPhone lists your contacts alphabetically, but did you know you can change whether it sorts by first or last name? To change the way the iPhone sorts your contacts, just follow these steps:

1. Tap Settings:

2. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars:


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iPhone Basics: How to Show Battery Percentage on the Home Screen (3GS Only)

If you’re looking for a little more precision in just how much juice is left in your iPhone battery, the iPhone has a way to display battery life as a percentage next to the battery icon. To turn on this feature, follow these instructions. Note that this works for the iPhone 3GS only.

1. Tap Settings:

2. Tap General:

3. Tap Usage:

4. Slide the Battery Percentage tab to On:

Be sure to check out more of our iPhone Basics and iPhone Tips.

Basics: Just Got an iPhone? Check Out Apple’s iPhone User’s Guide

If you’re looking for a free instruction manual that covers all the basics of operating the iPhone, check out Apple’s iPhone User’s Guide. It’s free, and at 130 pages long, it thoroughly covers all basics of operating your iPhone. It’s available as a PDF that you can download from Apple’s site.

The guide may be too large to print out and carry with you, but you can also access the entire guide in your iPhone’s browser. Apple has created a special web version (a webapp) with an iPhone-friendly interface. Check it out here: iPhone User Guide webapp, on your iPhone.

The webapp has a handy search feature to help you quickly find the topic you’re looking for. Or, you can just browse the regular menu to discover new things your iPhone does.
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iPhone Basics: How To Set Parental Restrictions On Your iPhone

The iPhone offers a a group of settings called Restrictions that control the type of content and apps that can be accessed on the iPhone. Restrictions can also limit access to some of the iPhone’s default apps and also make sure the iPhone isn’t used to purchase apps or music. The iPhone protects theese restrictions with a passcode so that they can’t be changed when the device is given to another person.

To set the iPhone’s restrictions, just follow these steps:
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iPhone Basics: How to Set Up an Email Account on the iPhone

iPhone Mail App Logo

Setting up your primary email account on the iPhone will make your life that much easier rather than trying to check it on the Web. Trust us. Not only will you not have to launch Safari to check your email, but automatic notifications will keep you up-to-date at all times. Setting up an email account on the iPhone is incredibly easy. Just follow these steps:
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