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24 Dec 2025

8 simple ways to get started with your new iPad or tablet

From optimising your tablet's battery life to choosing a good browser, here are our top tips for getting the most out of your new device

Adam SpeightSenior Researcher/Writer, Product Testing

A certified smartphones, tablets and wearables whizz, Adam's been hands-on with tech for over five years, sharing expert knowledge and buying advice.

A group of people smile whilst looking at content on a tablet

You’ve unwrapped a new tablet — whether it’s an iPad, Android, or Amazon Fire — and now comes the fun part. Even with the most intuitive devices, the setup can feel overwhelming.

We have cut through the noise to bring you eight essential tips to help you get the best out of your new gift, ensuring you don't miss out on any features.

Want even more advice on making the most of your tablet? See 8 surprising ways to use your iPad or Android tablet

1. Connect your accounts (without the stress)

Tablets play nicely with others. You don't need an Apple email address to use an iPad, or a Gmail account to use a Samsung. Most built-in email apps let you add any account — so you can easily have your Hotmail arrive in your Gmail app.

Pro tip: Value your downtime? Check your 'Permissions' settings. You don't have to connect every social media account, and you certainly don't need them all pinging you when you're trying to relax.

2. Tweak your settings for maximum battery life

We expect a Best Buy tablet to last over 10 hours, but a few tweaks can make it go further.

Dim the lights: The screen is the biggest battery drain. Unless you are sunbathing, you rarely need 100% brightness. Turn on "Adaptive Brightness" to let the tablet manage this for you.

Location, Location: Turn off location services. Unlike a phone, you probably won't be using your tablet to navigate city streets or make contactless payments, so save the power.

Bonus tip - learn how to connect your iPad or tablet to your TV to see things on an even bigger screen

3. Get a case (before you regret it)

Screen glass is stronger than ever, but no manufacturer guarantees their device will survive a drop on a tiled floor. Don't risk it.

At home: A thin, rubber-feel case is enough to protect against spills and dust. Look for one with a 'lip' that raises the screen slightly off the table to prevent scratches.

On the go: If the tablet leaves your home, invest in a hard plastic shell from a reputable brand. It might cost a little more, but it is cheaper than a screen repair.

With thousands of cheap plastic shells flooding online stores, picking a case can feel like a gamble. Our advice? Stick to the proven names. Spending a little more helps make sure you get a case that actually fits, feels good in the hand, and can survive a knock.

While we haven't run these specific covers through our test labs, our choices focus on options from reputable brands.

iPad (2025) case

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 case

Amazon Fire Max 11 case

Got an iPad and wondering whether it will work with a Mac mini? Find out in our expert Mac mini review

4. Clean up your apps (safely)

Your tablet likely came with bloatware — pre-installed apps you will never use. Long-press the app's icon to uninstall or disable it to save space. When downloading new apps, safety is key:

Stick to the official stores: Only use the Google Play Store for Android, App Store for Apple iPads and Amazon App Store for Amazon Fire.
Check the dates: Avoid apps that haven't been updated in years; they are vulnerable to hacks.
Watch the permissions: If a torch app asks for access to your contacts list, that is a red flag. Delete it.

Apps get approved and vetted for safety and security before being put on an app store, so they're less likely to compromise your tablet. It's not a perfect system, however.

For more advice, see how to safely download and install software.

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5. Choose a good browser and don't stick with default apps

Apple, Google, and Amazon want you to use their browsers and calendars, but you don't have to. If you prefer Firefox over Chrome, or Outlook over Apple Mail, head to the app store.

You can even download new keyboards if the default one feels clumsy under your thumbs.

6. Upgrade your video calls

The big screen on tablets makes them excellent for video calls (assuming yours got decent marks for its front-facing camera in our tests – find out by checking our tablet reviews). Tablets are the ultimate video calling devices. If you have a recent iPad, you have FaceTime built-in. Android users have Google Meet.

Cross-platform: Apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams work on almost all tablets.
Go hands-free: This is where that case comes in handy — get one with a stand so you can chat without propping the tablet up against a fruit bowl.

5. Use the 'Smart' features (They're actually useful)

Whether you have unwrapped an iPad Pro M5, a Samsung Galaxy Tab S11, or an Amazon Fire Max 11, you likely have powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools built right in. These 2025 tablets aren't just faster; they are smarter. You might see terms like Generative AI, but think of them as helpful assistants.

On iPad: Look for 'Writing Tools'. It can proofread your emails or summarise long documents with a tap.
On Samsung: Try 'Circle to Search'. See a pair of shoes you like in a video? Circle them with your finger, and it will find them for you.
The Security Upgrade: Set up 'Passkeys' immediately - this replaces passwords with your face or fingerprint. It's safer than a password as it can't be guessed or stolen in a data breach.

8. Connect your smart devices

Tablets often stay at home, particularly if you have something hefty like a Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra or a 13-inch iPad Pro M5. It is worth having all your smart controls on it for anyone in the household to use, but there is a crucial 'set and forget' rule you must follow to protect the hardware.

Look for Matter: Whether it’s smart plugs, video doorbells or smart thermostats, look for the Matter standard when connecting devices. This universal standard allows your tablet to control your home locally — meaning if your internet goes down, your tablet can still turn on the lights via your own, local wi-fi network.
The 'Stationary' Rule: If you plan to leave your tablet plugged in permanently as a smart home dashboard (for example, on a kitchen stand or wall mount), you must enable battery protection settings. Leaving a Lithium-ion battery at 100% charge for months will ruin it.
- On iPad: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and enable 80% Limit.
- On Samsung: Go to Settings > Battery and turn on Battery Protection (Maximum mode).
- On Google Pixel Tablet: If you use the Charging Speaker Dock, enable Hub Mode, which automatically caps the charge to 90% to preserve health.

Want to connect your tech and streamline your home? See our guide: How to set up a smart home

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