How do I learn the basic touch gestures?

Tap once to open an app or select something. Swipe up or down to scroll through a list or webpage. Pinch two fingers together to zoom out, and spread them apart to zoom in. Hold your finger on something for two seconds to see additional options.

How do I set up a screen lock?

On iPhone, go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models). On Android, go to Settings, then Security, then Screen Lock. Choose a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face unlock. A PIN with six digits is a good balance between security and convenience.

How do I connect to your home wi-fi?

On iPhone, go to Settings and tap Wi-Fi. On Android, go to Settings and tap Network or Wi-Fi. You will see a list of nearby networks. Tap the name of your home network and type in your Wi-Fi password. Once connected, your phone will remember it and connect automatically in the future.

How do I make and receive phone calls?

Tap the Phone app (it looks like a green telephone receiver). To dial a number, tap the keypad icon and enter the number, then tap the green call button. To answer an incoming call, swipe the green button or tap Answer. To end a call, tap the red button.

How do I send and read text messages?

Tap the Messages app (it looks like a speech bubble). To read a message, tap on it. To reply, tap the text box at the bottom of the screen, type your message using the keyboard that appears, and tap the send button (an arrow icon). To start a new message, tap the pencil or compose icon and type the person's name or phone number.

How do I charge your phone properly?

Plug your charging cable into the small port at the bottom of your phone and connect the other end to a wall adapter. Look for the battery icon on your screen to confirm it is charging. Aim to charge your phone when it reaches around 20 percent battery remaining. Charging overnight is fine for most modern phones.

TekSure — Free Tech Help for Beginners & Seniors

Getting a smartphone for the first time — or finally deciding to learn how to use the one you have — can feel overwhelming. There are buttons you have not pressed, apps you have never opened, and settings you are not sure about. That is completely normal. This guide walks you through the most important things to understand about your smartphone so you can feel confident using it every day.

Your smartphone is really a small computer that happens to make phone calls. It connects to the internet through your home Wi-Fi or a cellular signal from your phone carrier. Almost everything on the phone works through apps — small programs you tap to open. Apps can make phone calls, send text messages, check the weather, take photos, and much more.

The screen responds to your touch. You tap to open something, swipe up or down to scroll through a list, and hold your finger on something for about two seconds to see more options. You can also pinch two fingers together or spread them apart to zoom in or out on photos and web pages.

Your phone has a button or sensor to lock the screen and protect your privacy. On most phones, you unlock it with a four-to-six digit code (called a PIN), your fingerprint, or your face. Setting up one of these protections is important — if you lose your phone, it keeps strangers out of your personal information.

Charging your phone is something you will do every day or two. Plug the charging cable into the bottom of your phone and into a wall outlet. A lightning bolt symbol or a battery icon on the screen tells you it is charging. Try to charge it before the battery drops below 20 percent — running it all the way to zero regularly is hard on the battery over time.

The most important skill is learning to ask your phone for help. Both iPhone (Siri) and Android (Google Assistant) let you speak out loud to your phone. You can say things like "Call my daughter" or "What time is it in Denver?" and the phone will answer you or do the task for you.