Lesson 1
Meet Your Phone
Before you press a single button, let's get to know your phone. When you understand what you're looking at, nothing feels like a mystery.
First, tell us which phone you have
Not sure which you have?
If your phone has an apple on the back, it’s an iPhone. If it has anything else, it’s almost certainly an Android.
Step 1 of 6
Learn what a smartphone is
A smartphone is a small hand-held computer that also makes phone calls. It can send messages, take photos, go on the internet, and run helpful programs called apps.
You can't break anything by looking or tapping around. Exploring is how you learn.
Step 2 of 6
Find the home screen
The home screen is the first thing you see when your phone is on and unlocked. It holds the little pictures (icons) that open your apps.
On your iPhone: On iPhone, swipe left past your home screens to reach the 'App Library,' where all your apps are grouped for you.
On your Android: On Android, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the 'app drawer,' where all your apps are kept.
An 'app' is just a program that does one job, like calling, texting, or showing the weather.
Step 3 of 6
Open an app
To open any app, tap its icon once with your fingertip. You don't need to press hard or tap twice.
If the wrong thing opens, don't worry. The next step shows you how to get back.
Step 4 of 6
Go back to the home screen
On your iPhone: On iPhone, swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen, or press the round home button if your phone has one, to return to the home screen.
On your Android: On Android, swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen, or tap the home button, to return to the home screen.
Going home never closes or deletes anything. It just brings you back to the start.
Step 5 of 6
Move an app where you want it
You can arrange your apps so your favorites are easy to reach.
On your iPhone: On iPhone, press and hold an app until the icons wiggle, then drag it to a new spot and let go. Tap Done or an empty area when you're finished.
On your Android: On Android, press and hold an app for a moment, then drag it with your finger to a new spot and let go. To pull an app out of a folder, hold it and drag it past the folder's edge.
Take your time. If an app lands somewhere you don't want, just hold and drag it again.
Step 6 of 6
See the apps you used recently
On your iPhone: On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom and pause in the middle to see the apps you've used recently. Swipe to the one you want and tap it.
On your Android: On Android, swipe up from the bottom and hold for a second to see the apps you've used recently. Tap one to jump back to it.
This is a handy way to switch back to something without hunting for its icon.