Apple iPhone 12 printed manual

Complete iPhone Manual for Beginners and Seniors – Your Essential Guide

Apple doesn't include a printed manual with iPhones. This comprehensive guide fills that gap, written specifically for beginners and seniors who prefer learning from a clear, friendly printed book instead of searching through online help pages or watching confusing YouTube videos.

This is OTC Ltd's first original manual, created by experienced instructors who understand the unique challenges first-time smartphone users face. We've taken everything learned from printing and binding manuals since 1978 – and from helping over 300,000 customers in more than 110 countries – to create a patient, jargon-free introduction to your iPhone.

Which iPhones does this cover?

This guide covers all iPhones from iPhone 11 onwards, including:

• iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Plus, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

You don't need to know your exact model. The book focuses on the buttons, screens, gestures, and menus that work the same way across all modern iPhones. Whether you have the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max or an iPhone 11 from 2019, you'll find clear instructions that match what you see on your screen.

Starting from the very beginning

Many iPhone guides assume you already know the basics. This book assumes nothing. We start with the fundamentals that experienced users take for granted but can feel mysterious to beginners:

• What each button does and when to press it
• How to tap, swipe, pinch, and use other gestures
• How to unlock your phone and navigate the Home Screen
• What all those icons and symbols mean
• Understanding Wi-Fi, cellular data, and what "the cloud" actually means
• Setting up your iPhone for the first time (or starting fresh if someone else set it up for you)

Master the everyday essentials

Once you're comfortable with the basics, you'll learn all the everyday tasks that make your iPhone useful:

Calls and Messages

• Making and receiving phone calls (including using speakerphone)
• Sending and reading text messages (SMS and iMessage)
• Understanding the difference between green and blue messages
• Adding and managing your contacts
• Using FaceTime for free video calls with family and friends
• Setting up voicemail and retrieving messages

Photos and Camera

• Taking photos and videos with confidence
• Understanding Portrait mode, Night mode, and other camera features
• Finding your photos in the Photos app
• Creating albums to organize your pictures
• Sharing photos via text message or email
• Deleting unwanted photos to free up space

Internet and Email

• Browsing the web with Safari
• Searching for information and websites
• Opening links safely and avoiding suspicious websites
• Setting up and using the Mail app
• Reading, composing, and replying to emails
• Attaching photos to emails
• Managing your inbox and organizing messages

Apps and the App Store

• Understanding what apps are and how they work
• Downloading free apps from the App Store
• Updating apps to get the latest features and security fixes
• Organizing apps on your Home Screen
• Deleting apps you no longer want
• Essential apps for beginners (Weather, Maps, Calendar, Notes)

Staying safe and protected

Security is crucial, but it shouldn't be complicated. We explain iPhone security in plain English so you can protect yourself without feeling overwhelmed:

Your Apple ID and Security

• Understanding what an Apple ID is and why you need one
• Creating your Apple ID with a strong, memorable password
• Setting up two-factor authentication for extra protection
• What to do if you forget your Apple ID password

Locking and Unlocking Your Phone

• Creating a secure passcode (and remembering it!)
• Setting up Face ID to unlock with your face
• Setting up Touch ID to unlock with your fingerprint (older models)
• When to use each security method
• What to do if you forget your passcode

Finding and Protecting a Lost iPhone

• Setting up Find My iPhone before something goes wrong
• How to locate your iPhone if it's lost in your home or left somewhere
• Playing a sound to help you find it
• Using Lost Mode to lock your phone and display a message
• Erasing your iPhone remotely if it's stolen
• What to do immediately if your iPhone goes missing

Backing Up Your Precious Data

• Why backing up matters (and what happens if you don't)
• Setting up automatic iCloud backup so your photos and data are always safe
• Understanding what iCloud backs up (and what it doesn't)
• Checking that your backup is working properly
• Restoring from a backup if you get a new phone or something goes wrong
• Backing up WhatsApp messages separately (they're not in iCloud backup)

Peace of mind matters. Many beginners worry "what happens if I lose my phone?" or "what if I accidentally delete something important?". This guide explains exactly how iCloud backup and Find My iPhone work together to protect you, so you can use your iPhone with confidence knowing your precious photos, messages, and contacts are safe.

Customizing your iPhone for comfort

Your iPhone should work for you, not the other way around. We show you how to adjust settings so your phone is comfortable to use:

• Making text larger so it's easier to read
• Adjusting screen brightness for indoor and outdoor use
• Turning on bold text for better visibility
• Adjusting volume for calls, ringtones, and media
• Choosing ringtones and alert sounds you can actually hear
• Managing notifications so your phone doesn't constantly disturb you
• Using Do Not Disturb mode for peaceful sleep
• Understanding battery life and making it last longer

Designed specifically for beginners and seniors

Unlike technical manuals written for experts, this guide is designed from the ground up for people who are new to smartphones:

• Large, easy-to-read text – no squinting required
• Clear, full-size screenshots showing exactly what to expect on your screen
• Short, plain-English explanations with no jargon or technical terms
• Gentle, step-by-step progress from the basics to confident everyday use
• Plenty of white space so pages never feel cramped or overwhelming
• Spiral-bound design so the book lies flat while you follow along
• Patient tone throughout – we never assume you "should already know" something

What makes this guide different?

Apple provides some basic help online, but it's scattered across dozens of support pages written in technical language. YouTube videos can be helpful, but they're hard to pause and rewind while holding your phone. And asking family members for help can feel awkward when you need to ask the same question twice.

This printed guide is always there when you need it. You can flip back to earlier chapters, mark pages with a pen, or keep it next to your favorite chair. There's no password to remember, no app to download, and no worry about your battery running out halfway through learning something new.

Who is this book for?

This guide is perfect for:

• Seniors getting their first iPhone and wanting patient, clear guidance
• Complete beginners who've never used a smartphone before
• Anyone switching from an old flip phone or basic mobile to an iPhone
• People who learn better from books than from videos or trial-and-error
• Gift-givers who want to help elderly parents or grandparents use their new iPhone confidently
• Anyone who feels overwhelmed by technology and wants a friendly, pressure-free way to learn

The manual Apple should have included

If you or someone you care about has an iPhone but often feels unsure or overwhelmed, this book is designed to change that. By the end, everyday tasks will feel natural and manageable, and you'll know that your phone – and your precious photos and messages – are properly protected.

195 pages. Spiral-bound. Large print. Clear screenshots. Written for real beginners.

This is the iPhone manual that should have come in the box.