iPad and iPad Pro For Dummies
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You can set up and use your iPad without involving a computer. If you choose to use your iPad “computer free,” these steps comprise the entire setup process. Follow these steps to set up a new iPad without connecting it to a Mac or PC:

  1. Turn the iPad on or wake it if it’s sleeping.

    The first thing you see on your shiny new (or freshly restored) iPad is the Language Selection screen.

  2. Tap the name of the language you want this iPad to use.

    A check mark appears next to the language.

  3. Tap the blue arrow button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Country or Region screen.

  4. Tap your country or region.

    A check mark appears next to the country or region.

  5. Tap the Next button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Location Services screen.

  6. Tap to enable or disable Location Services.

    Location Services is your iPad’s way of knowing where, precisely, you are geographically. The Maps app, for example, relies on Location Services to determine where in the world you are.

    You can turn Location Services on or off globally or for individual apps in Settings.

    A checkmark appears next to your selection.

  7. Tap the Next button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Wi-Fi Networks screen.

  8. Tap to choose a Wi-Fi network, provide a password (if necessary), and then tap the blue Join button.

    A check mark appears next to the network you select.

  9. Tap the Next button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Set Up iPad screen.

    Your choices are Set Up as a New iPad, Restore from iCloud Backup, and Restore from iTunes Backup.

  10. Tap Set Up as a New iPad.

    A check mark appears next to your selection.

  11. Tap the Next button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Apple ID screen.

  12. Tap Sign In with An Apple ID or tap Create a Free Apple ID.

    If you have an Apple ID, sign in with it here; if you don’t have one, tap the Create a Free Apple ID button. If you tap Skip This Step and proceed without supplying an Apple ID, you can’t take advantage of myriad excellent and free features. Obtain an Apple ID if you don’t already have one because you’ll need it to take advantage of iCloud.

    If you have an existing MobileMe account (iCloud’s predecessor), you must first move your existing mail, contacts, calendars, and bookmarks from MobileMe to iCloud by visiting www.me.com and logging in. After June 30, 2012, those things may have been migrated to iCloud for you. Or not.

  13. When the Terms and Conditions screen appears, read it thoroughly and then tap the blue Agree button in the lower-right corner to acknowledge that you agree to the terms and conditions. Then tap Agree again when the Terms and Conditions alert appears.

    What happens if you disagree? You don’t want to know. And, of course, you won’t be able to use your iPad.

    The Set Up iCloud screen appears.

  14. Tap Use iCloud or Don’t Use iCloud.

    Tap the What Is iCloud link on your iPad screen to find out more about iCloud. If you choose not to enable it now, you can enable it at any time in the Settings app.

    A check mark appears next to your selection.

  15. Tap the Next button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Diagnostics screen (first- and second-generation iPads; skip to Step 18) or Dictation screen (third-generation iPad).

    The Dictation screen appears for the third-generation iPad.

  16. Tap Use Dictation or Don’t Use Dictation.

    If your iPad is a third-generation model, it offers the extremely desirable option, at least in our humble opinion, of using dictation (speech-to-text) in place of its onscreen keyboard.

    If you choose not to enable Dictation at this time, you can switch it on at any time in the Settings app’s General pane.

    A check mark appears next to your selection.

  17. Tap the Next button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Diagnostics screen.

  18. Tap Automatically Send or Don’t Send to either send or not send anonymous diagnostic and usage data to Apple.

    A check mark appears next to your selection.

  19. Tap the Next button in the upper-right corner to advance to the Thank You screen.

  20. Tap Start Using iPad to start using your iPad.

    Your iPad’s Home screen appears in all its glory.

If you’re a computer-free iPad, that’s the end of the story. Instead of using iTunes on your Mac or PC, you’ll have to make do with the available options in specific apps and in the Settings app.

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