The world of Apple comes in many colors. Right from the time you purchase an iPhone to the time you start using it as an outdated MP3 player. iPhone are an integral part of a loyal iPhone user. It serves as a multipurpose device, which includes finding a smallest piece of information to high end corporate meetings and not to forget about the iTunes experience. Here in this article we will be guiding you through the starting phase of an iPhone experience. The steps are meant only for new iPhone models which runs a minimum iOS v 5.0. This Guide also supports models from iPhone 4S and recently launched iPhone 4 including iPhone 3GS version.

If you bought an iPhone which is locked to a specific region, you cannot activate it directly. You need to know how to unlock iphone first. After unlocking your phone you can carry on with the steps provided in this article.

Activating iPhone

In order to activate your iPhone you need to buy it first. Seriously if you haven’t bought up one till now, its time to grab one from the nearest store down the lane. Buying an iPhone is not a simple task. You need to find the model which best suits you. A higher range doesn’t necessarily signifies that it is more worthy. Buy the one which best suits your purpose.

Install iTunes and upgrade it to the latest version. This step is just for your ease if you want to transfer music to your device. Now we have all the prerequisites ready so lets get back to basics.

Turn on the iPhone by pressing the power or the sleep button, which is available in the upper right hand side corner of your device. The screen should lit up now with the image shown below.

Slide the “Arrow” to start the iPhone activation process.

Selecting Region and Language Specifications

Your iPhone needs to configure the region where you will be using it. Though you can change it later on but for the fisrt time select the region as your present place from where you will be activating it. Selecting Region will help you to select the language options available for that region.

After you have selected your region you will have the multiple language options available for that region. Select the language and a tick mark should be imprinted beside it. Press the NEXT button.

You will now have to select the “Country” name. Scroll to find it and tap to select the country name and press next. It is worth mentioning here that selecting a country doesn’t mean that the use of your iPhone is limited to that country. You can use it world wide but this option is just meant to feed in your home country name.

Configure Location Services and Wi-fi Networks

Location Services is a beautiful feature which allows the iPhone user to get location based results and services which includes finding hotels, getting direction to a place and all options available for that location. It utilises the GPS functionality to guide you in a proper manner.

For people who do not want to use the Location services can select “Disable Location Services”, else select “Enable Location Services”.

Now you need to select your Wi-Fi Network, if you have one. If you don’t have a wireless network you can tap on “Next” to skip this step.

If you have one then it might ask you for a user-name and password if the connection is an encrypted one. If its an unsecured connection you can simply select the connection and press next.

Set Up iPhone

iPhone provides three basic methods for setting up your device-

1. If you are a new or first time iPhone user, you should select the “Set Up as New iPhone” tab.
2. If you already had an iPhone and you had backed up all your data to iCloud, you can select all your setting to be restore to this new iPhone from there.
3. If you previously had iTunes library configured for you Mac or other Apple device you can get all the settings synced in to your new iPhone from there. If you want to install all your apps and transfer songs from your computer to this device it is advisable not to select this option but move on with the new iPhone configuration.

Tap on the Next button to move on to the next step.

Setting Up Your Apple ID

You have three choices to proceed with. If you already have an existing Apple ID tap in the user-name and password and press Next. If you do not have an Apple ID you can “Create a Free Apple ID”. If you do not want to associate it with your phone then it also provide you with “Skip this step”.

Tap On your Choice to configure and press Next to move on to the next part.

The benefits of Apple ID

These are some of the basic benefits associated with an Apple ID. No doubt that this is one of the best available service for an Apple user.

• Personalize Mac OS X and iOS products
• Apple Products and Apple Care Protection Plan registration
• Apple Store Support
• Apple Online Discussion and Support
• Apple Rebate
• iWork Publishing
• FaceTime on the fourth generation of iPod touch
• Ordering photos and photo books with iPhoto or Aperture
• Apple Online Store
• Apple Developer Connection (ADC) ID
• iTunes Store and App Store
• Security
• Stolen Apple ID

Configure iCloud Set up and Back up

Before this Menu you might have to Agree to Terms and Conditions related to iPhone Use and Policies. Tap “Agree” and proceed to this step.

iCloud is a Free to use facility provided for loyal iPhone and Apple users. This is the next generation data storage dump yard. You can do many things with the help of Cloud based services which includes finding your iPhone, access photo online and back up all your device data to the iCloud Internet account and many more. Once you start using iCloud services you will feel the difference.

Your iCloud account automatically gets synced up to your Apple ID so that you need not have any trouble mixing them up.

Again, if you want to back up all your data to cloud select the “Back Up to iCloud ” option or else select “Back Up to My Computer” which will help you create a copy of all your data and restore it back to your device in case any thing goes wrong or your device crashes. You also have the choice to restore all you data over the Internet or Sync it Offline to your Mac or PC.

If you don not want to use this service select “Don’t Use iCloud” and tap the Next button to skip.

Siri – The Voice Manager

This facility is available only in 4S and later newer models. Before you start wondering what this function does, let me tell you that this is the latest addition to the iPhone features. “Siri” is a voice command manager which can help you use the iPhone without having to touch it. This feature can be a real headache for people with pronunciation problems. So if you don’t want to enable this feature you can select “Don’t Use Siri”, but if you want to experiment with your Voice Command skills this might be fun for you.

Tap Next to proceed to the preceding Step.

Find My Phone

Using this option let you trace your iPhone in case it gets stolen. This acts a security feature which can help you block your phone if you are unable to find it. This step is advisable for all iPhone users. The GPS technology helps you to locate the exact position of your iPhone and keep you a step ahead of the thieves and in case you lose it on your way home.

No personal informtion is shared with Apple database other than the IMEI of your phone. If you want to share your information about the working and bugs arising in your phone you can select this for your own benefit or else you can disable this option to complete your Activation.

Now you are Ready to start your iPhone experience. If anything goes wrong or you have doubts about the Privacy policies, you can visit your nearest Apple store to guide your through.