Apple launched the new pro-focused Apple iPad Pro in 2015 with a larger 12.9-inch display and the amazing new Apple Pencil that delivers a rich drawing and writing experience. Add to that the Apple Smart Keyboard and artists, writers, video editors and photographers can all do more while on mobile.
We’ll show users how to set up iPad Pro efficiently, with tips to get started, apps to install, and settings to change.
Initial Setup of Your iPad Pro
The iPad Pro’s battery usually comes with enough battery to get started. However, it is recommended that the user top up with the charging cable as soon as possible.
While the iPad Pro is charging, turn it on by pressing and holding the power button on the side opposite the Home button. After a few seconds, the iPad will open to the “Hello” screen. Swipe right and follow the onscreen instructions. One of Apple’s step by step guide to set up an iOS device.
iPad Pro and iOS Key Features Setup Guides
Below you will find links to some basic guides to follow for setting up features in iOS 9 on iPad Pro. The video below shows how to set up Find My iPad. It uses it on an older iPad and iPhone, but works the same on the iPad Pro.
Other guides are as follows:
Pair and Charge Apple Pencil with iPad Pro
If you bought an Apple Pencil for your iPad Pro, you’ll need to pair it with the iPad Pro and possibly charge it.
Tap Pair when appears after connecting Apple Pencil to iPad Pro
We have a complete guide for pairing Apple Pencil with iPad Pro and charging Apple Pencil.
Connect Apple Smart Keyboard to iPad Pro
this Apple Smart Keyboard ($159) takes the low-profile iPad Smart Cover and adds a keyboard for added productivity. Our pick for the best iPad Pro keyboard that narrowly beats Logitech Create. These aren’t the only iPad Pro Keyboard covers, but they’re the two best for now. Brydge promised to release one in January. They made a nice keyboard for the iPad, so we hope the iPad Pro version will work as well.
To attach the Apple Smart Cover to the iPad Pro, tilt the keyboard cover as you see above. The magnet connector will snap into place when it gets a millimeter closer to the left edge of the iPad Pro in portrait mode. Take the iPad Pro and make sure it has a firm grip on the iPad. Lift the iPad Pro up and fold the cover between the keyboard and iPad Pro so that the iPad Pro connector pins snap into place at the top edge of the keyboard.
Here is a video showing the process:
The keyboard is powered by the iPad Pro. The cover will cover the iPad Pro screen when folded over the screen. Wakes up the screen when a user opens the flip.
iPad Pro Settings to Change
Before going any further, change some basic settings. Do this by opening the Settings app located on the Home Screen. It looks like a gray icon with gears on it. We will descend to the list of settings located on the left side of the screen.
Basic settings to change, including:
- Connect if you haven’t already.
- Change password on LTE iPad Pro (see below).
- Turn it off for certain apps. For example, I don’t use the built-in iOS Calendar app, so I turn notifications off for that app.
- To prevent people from accessing Control Center features if they get hold of your iPad Pro, turn off access from the lock screen. For more on Control Center, see our guide (applies to iOS 7, but still applies to iOS 9).
- Set schedules so that iPad won’t disturb anyone at night or at work. Tap on the screen and adjust the time frame by tapping the clocks.
- Customize under:
- Set a new background. Tap to choose from the included iOS 9 wallpapers or your own photos. Once the selected wallpaper fills the screen, you can choose to use it only for the lock screen, home screen, or both by tapping one of the following…
- Change the default notification. Tap each sound event (Ringtone, Text Tone, etc.) and choose from the list of sounds. When you’re done with each item, tap the link with the back arrow at the top of the screen.
- Turn off the Sounds setting screen to protect yourself from annoying people around you when typing using the onscreen keyboard.
- If you didn’t add one during initial setup, add one and create a (see our guide to Touch ID fixes) profile with your fingerprints. Follow our guide to using a 4-digit password.
- Change settings for (see below)
Update to the Latest Version of iOS 9
Check if your iPad Pro is running the latest version of the operating system. Open Settings and tap on and then on .
This can take a long time to update and iPad Pro will restart in the process. You can do other things with the iPad Pro while it downloads the update. It will tell you with a pop-up window when it is ready to apply the update. iPad restarts and you see a white progress bar on the black screen. It will start automatically after you finish it.
Add Email, Contacts and Calendar
Most users will want their email, contacts, and calendars on their iPad Pro. It’s a simple process because iOS 9 manages to link large accounts from Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, Outlook and Exchange locally without needing a set of special settings. Open Settings and scroll down to find it in the left-hand column.
Your iCloud account should already appear. Customize what you want to see from iCloud by tapping on it. I don’t use iCloud for Contacts or Calendars, so I turn them off so I don’t accidentally add contacts or appointments to them.
Tap the back arrow at the top, then tap under the top box on the right. You will see a list of services that you can easily add.
Tap the type of account you use for email, contact, and/or calendar information. For those who do not use one of these, tap on it and enter the information from your email service provider. If you’re using Microsoft Exchange, tap Exchange. Get the correct information from your Exchange administrator or service provider.
Here is an example of adding a Google account for Gmail, Google Calendar and Contacts. The first screen asks for your Gmail email address. Enter it and tap on it.
The next screen asks for a password. Enter it and tap on it. iPad OS will confirm the email and password with Google. It then lists the types of information the user can sync with Google. Choose to turn Mail, Contacts, Calendars, or Notes on or off by tapping the button that looks like a slider. Other services work similarly.
Set up Personal Hotspot on LTE iPad Pro
People who own the LTE version of the iPad Pro will want to configure the Personal Hotspot feature so they can connect a laptop or connect others’ tablets or laptops.
Open Settings and find it inside. Tap it and then tap on it to replace it with something more memorable. Tap on it and then tap the toggle switch next to it at the top of the screen. Now other devices can find the iPad and use the LTE connection to get online over Wi-Fi. Instructions for using Personal Hotspot via Bluetooth or USB cable appear below the Wi-Fi Password setting.
Connect iPad Pro to a Computer
At some point you will need to plug your iPad Pro into a computer and connect it to iTunes. Use the USB to Lightning cable that came with the iPad Pro. Two things open by default when plugged into a Mac: Photos and iTunes. It asks if you want to open iTunes on Windows. If you have not installed iTunes on your Windows PC, buy from apple and install it.
You will see a screen in iTunes like the one below.
The above screen will appear in iTunes. It offers two options:
- Set it up as a new iPad
- Restoring from this backup:
The first option does not change the settings on the iPad. It will back up the iPad Pro in its current state. The second option finds a previous backup and saves it to the iPad with all settings and apps applied. If iTunes finds a previous iPad backup, there is a pop-up box showing a list of available backups. This will wipe the iPad, so don’t use it unless you want to start over. If available, click after choosing between the two options. Then click on the next screen.
People who own another iOS device can now start installing the apps they have. The iTunes screen looks like the one above. Select iPad in the top left (see the red arrow). Then click on Applications from the list on the left (see the red box). Available apps appear. Select apps to install by ticking.
You can also organize pre-installed apps using thumbnails of iPad Pro screens on the right. Double-click a screen and use your mouse or trackpad to drag and drop apps. To uninstall an app, click the X that appears over the app icon when you hover over it.
When you’re ready to send changes to iPad Pro, click the button in the lower-right corner.
You can click on it, but if you set your Music library to sync using iCloud, in the steps above iTunes will tell you iCloud sync is turned on.
Click and select the items on each screen to sync.
It can be synced with the Photos app on the computer or with the Photos library on your Windows computer. If you have iCloud Photos sync turned on, this option is not available here.
Install Apps from App Store
Now it’s time to start installing apps. If you have many apps, you can start by opening the tab at the bottom of the screen. Tap at the top of the next screen to see the apps that haven’t been installed yet. Look at the list and choose to install apps by tapping the down arrow placed in a cloud next to each app title.
Other tabs at the bottom categorize apps as follows:
If you know the name of the application you want to install, use the box in the upper right corner of each page. The page usually has a collection called “Great Apps for iPad Pro” (see image above). Tap this to find some of the best apps for iPad Pro.
Want some ideas for installing apps? Check out our list of 7 Great iPad Pro Apps to Download Now and the Best iPad Pro Games. Make sure you get some good photo and video editing apps, as iPad Pro is a great creative tool. If you are an Office 365 user, Microsoft Office applications intent. They’re especially great on the iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard.
Set Up iPad Pro for Calls or Texts
If you’re only talking to other iOS device users, or if you have an iPhone, you can use your iPad Pro to talk or text people. Those who do not own an iPhone can only do this with other iOS users. However, iPhone owners can send and receive calls from anyone using their iPad Pro, as long as both iPhone and iPad are signed in using the same account. Here’s how to install continuity feature that makes it possible.
The best way to start is to follow Apple’s guide. Installation is very simple.
