How to set up an Android tablet if you are new to technology

This guide is for anyone who has just bought an Android tablet and is not sure where to begin. By the end, you will have a tablet that is connected to the internet, adjusted to suit your eyesight, linked to a Google account, and loaded with at least one or two apps you actually want to use. The whole process takes around 45 minutes, though it can take a little longer if you need to create a new Google account. Take your time. There is no rush, and nothing here is irreversible.

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Step 1: Charge your tablet before you do anything else

A tablet that runs flat mid-setup is frustrating. Before you press a single button, plug the tablet in using the cable and charger that came in the box. The charging socket is usually on the bottom edge or one of the short sides. A small battery icon should appear on the screen to confirm it is charging. Wait until you reach at least 80 per cent. Fully charged is better.

Most tablets arrive with some charge already in them, but not always enough for a full setup. Charging first also means the screen stays bright and responsive while you work through the steps.

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Step 2: Turn on the tablet and choose your language

Press and hold the power button for two or three seconds. You will usually find it on one of the long edges, occasionally on the top. The screen will light up with the manufacturer's logo, followed by a welcome screen that asks you to choose a language.

Tap English (United Kingdom), not English (United States). The difference matters: UK English keeps spelling and date formats consistent with what you are used to.

After that, the tablet may ask whether you are setting it up as new or restoring from a previous device. Choose Set up as new if this is your first Android tablet or if you want a clean start.

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Step 3: Connect to your home Wi-Fi

This step is where people sometimes hit their first snag, usually because they cannot find their Wi-Fi password.

The tablet will show a list of wireless networks it can detect. Your home network should appear in that list, probably with a name similar to your internet provider (something like "SKY12345" or "TALKTALK-XXXX" or a name you set yourself). Tap it.

You will then be asked for the Wi-Fi password. This is not the same as your router's admin password. Look for a card or sticker on the back or underside of your router. The password may be labelled "Wireless Key", "Network Key", or simply "Password". It is usually a long string of mixed letters and numbers.

Type it in carefully. Tap the small eye icon at the right of the password box to reveal what you have typed, which makes it easier to spot mistakes. Then tap Connect or Join.

Once connected, a Wi-Fi symbol will appear at the top of the screen. You are online.

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Step 4: Sign in to or create a Google account

An Android tablet runs on Google's software, which means you need a Google account to use it properly. This is what allows you to download apps, back up your photos, and use services like Google Maps or Gmail.

If you already have a Gmail address (it ends in @gmail.com), enter it here along with your password. If you have forgotten that password, tap Forgot password and Google will walk you through resetting it.

If you have never had a Google account, tap Create account. You will be asked to enter your name, choose a Gmail address and a password. Pick a password that is at least eight characters long and that you will actually remember. Write it down somewhere safe at home. I'd suggest a small notebook kept with your important documents, not a sticky note on the back of the tablet.

During account setup, Google will show you several permissions and backup settings. The default options are fine for most people. You do not need to read every word of the terms of service, but do tick the option to back up your device to Google Drive. This protects your photos and settings if the tablet is ever lost or damaged.

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Step 5: Adjust text size, brightness and other display settings

Out of the box, many tablets are set to text sizes that feel uncomfortably small. Sorting this early makes everything else easier.

From the home screen, tap the Settings app (it looks like a cog or gear). Scroll down until you see Accessibility and tap it. Look for Font size or Text size. There will be a slider. Drag it to the right to make text larger. A preview shows you what the change looks like. Most people find one or two steps up from the default is about right, though this is entirely personal.

While you are in Accessibility, also look for Display size (sometimes called Screen zoom). This makes icons and buttons larger as well as text, which can make the whole screen feel more comfortable.

For brightness, go back to the main Settings menu and tap Display. You will find a brightness slider there. You can also adjust brightness quickly at any time by swiping down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade. There is a brightness bar near the top.

One more setting worth finding: Screen timeout. This controls how quickly the screen goes dark when you are not using it. The default is often just 30 seconds, which means the screen keeps switching off while you are in the middle of reading something. I'd change this to two minutes, or even five.

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Step 6: Find and install your first apps

Apps are programs. They are how you watch television, video call family, read the news, or play a game. On Android, you get them from the Play Store, which is a Google app pre-installed on the tablet. It looks like a multi-coloured triangle.

Tap it to open. You will see a search bar at the top. Tap it and type the name of something you want. Good starting points for many readers include:

• BBC iPlayer (for catch-up TV)
• WhatsApp (for free calls and messages to family)
• YouTube (for videos of every description)

Search for one of these, tap the result that matches, then tap the green Install button. The app will download and appear on your home screen. This usually takes under a minute on a decent home broadband connection.

A word for anyone nervous about this step: installing a free app from the Play Store does not cost money and does not automatically share your bank details. Apps that cost money will show a price instead of the word "Install", and you will be asked to confirm payment before anything is charged. If you stick to well-known apps, you will be fine.

Once an app is installed, tap Open to launch it, or find its icon on the home screen. If the home screen feels cluttered, you can press and hold any icon to move or delete it.

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Anything else worth doing now?

Take ten minutes to explore without worrying about breaking anything. Tap around. Swipe left and right across the home screen to see different pages. Pull down from the top of the screen to see your notifications. If anything unexpected happens, you can usually get back to familiar ground by pressing the home button (a circle or a house icon along the bottom).

Your tablet is now set up and ready to use. Over time you will find settings to adjust and new apps to try. But there is no need to do it all at once.

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