Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

Apple iPhone

search the site

did you know?

  • It is possible to use a variety of PDAs and handheld devices to access NYU resources, but ITS' support for PDAs is currently limited to Treo, Blackberry, and iPhone. If you own a different brand, it may be possible to use portions of these instructions to configure your PDA (details will vary). Check back for additional support in the future.
  • NYU-issued PDAs and handheld devices are eligible to sync with Meeting Maker; non-NYU devices may sync with MeetingMaker, provided the department has purchased a license.

This guide will help you set up your iPhone for use with a variety of NYU services. It begins with an introductory look at your iPhone’s controls, then leads you through initial out-of-the-box setup. It also shows you how to check and send NYU email, synchronize your iPhone with your desktop address book, and browse the Web. Finally, it instructs you on basic troubleshooting and security features.

Because instructions can vary from device to device, it's important that your iPhone is up to date with the latest software. For instructions on upgrading to the new 2.0 software, click here.

Page Contents

Acquaint Yourself with the iPhone Controls
Activation
Use & Applications
Managing Wireless Connections

Security
Troubleshooting & Resources

Out of the Box: Preparing your iPhone for Use

Acquaint Yourself with the iPhone Controls

Most controls on the iPhone are implemented through software, using the touchscreen display rather than physical buttons. Therefore, controls may vary significantly from one application to another.

Below are a few commands that generally remain consistent among iPhone applications:

  • Tap: Select a field, activate an on-screen button or key, move a cursor to the tapped position, or launch an application from the Home screen.
  • Double-tap: Zoom in on the area you double-tap.
  • Tap and hold: Tapping and holding on a text field will cause an on-screen magnifying glass to pop up, allowing you to more precisely position the on-screen cursor.
  • One-finger slide: Swiping a single finger across the screen will, in many applications, cause the screen to scroll in the direction in which you move your finger.
  • Pinch: Place two fingers on the screen; pinch them together to zoom out, or pull them apart to zoom in.

Activation

Step One: Turn the iPhone On and Off

The iPhone has two power-management modes:

  • After a certain period of inactivity, or if you press and release the Power button once, your iPhone will go into sleep mode. The iPhone can be "awakened" by pressing the Home button or the Power button.
  • If you press and hold the Power button, then drag the red slider to the right of the screen, your iPhone will turn off entirely. To turn your iPhone back on, hold down the Power button until the Apple logo appears, and wait for the phone to power on.

Step Two: Acquaint Yourself with the Screen Display

You can monitor the status of several functions using icons at the top of the screen. For a complete list of the icons, please consult the manufacturer's guide included with your device.

You can use the phone, and send and receive SMS text messages and MMS messages.
Denotes connectivity to AT&T's EDGE network. You can use the phone; send and receive email messages, SMS text messages, MMS messages; and use the browser.
You are connnected via Wi-Fi to a wireless network, so you are not using cellular data services at this time.
Bluetooth is enabled and turned on.
Battery indicator, which displays remaining battery life.

Step Three: Install (or Update) iTunes

To finish setting up your iPhone, you must have the most recent version of iTunes installed on your computer. The iPhone uses iTunes on both Mac and PC for a number of purposes, including:

  • Synchronizing personal organizer data (contacts, calendars, web browser bookmarks)
  • Backing up settings and downloaded applications *
  • Installing new or updated iPhone system software
  • Synchronizing and authorizing media (music, videos, images) *

*Please note that ITS neither endorses nor prohibits the installation of third-party applications or use of your iPhone as a personal entertainment device, and assumes no responsibility for backup or management of purchased media or applications.

To install iTunes on a PC:

  1. Download the installer for the newest version of iTunes from Apple's website.
  2. Double-click the downloaded installer file to begin installation.
  3. Click OK, Allow, or Run for any security warnings that appear onscreen.
  4. Click Next on the initial installer screen.
  5. Read the license agreement, select the I accept radio button, and then click Next.
  6. Leave all options and checkboxes as default, then click Install.
  7. When installation is complete, click Finish.
  8. Read the license agreement, then click Agree.

To install iTunes on a Mac:

  1. Download the installer for the newest version of iTunes from Apple's website.
  2. Double-click the iTunes.mpkg file.
  3. Click Continue on the initial installer screen.
  4. On the Read Me screen, click Continue, then proceed to the License Agreement.
  5. Read the License Agreement, click Continue, then click Agree on the new window that pops up.
  6. On the Select Destination screen, confirm the installation location, then click Continue.
  7. Choose Install to begin the installation.
  8. When installation is complete, click Finish.

Updating iTunes (Windows XP or Vista):

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. Click on the Help menu, then select Check for Updates.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to update iTunes. If you are informed that you are using the current version, simply click OK.

Updating iTunes (Macintosh):

  1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your computer screen.
  2. Select Software Update from the menu.
  3. In the Software Update window, if you see an option for iTunes, make sure it is checked. If you do not see an option for iTunes, your application is up to date.
  4. Click the Install button in the lower right-hand corner of the window.
  5. If prompted, restart the computer.

Use and Applications

Apple has provided substantial documentation and associated information for the applications that come pre-installed on the iPhone. To learn more about the built-in software Apple provides, visit Apple's website. For assistance with software obtained through the App Store, please refer to either that application’s built-in documentation, or the manufacturer’s website.

Below are some quick links to online demonstrations of common functions that do not require any special configuration:

Configuring your iPhone to connect to your NYU Email

  1. On your iPhone's home screen, tap Settings.

  2. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars.

  3. Tap Other.

  4. Enter your Name, NYU email address, and NYUHome password, then tap Save.

  5. Under Incoming Mail Server, fill in this information:
    • Host Name: mail.nyu.edu
    • User Name: Your NYU NetID
    • Password: Your NYUHome password

  6. Under Outgoing Mail Server, fill in this information:
    • Host Name: smtp.nyu.edu
    • User Name: Your NYU NetID
    • Password: Your NYUHome Password
  7. Tap Save.
  8. Press the Home button.
  9. On your iPhone's home screen, tap Settings.
  10. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
  11. Tap your newly created mail account.

  12. Tap Advanced.

  13. Tap Sent Mailbox.

  14. Scroll down and tap the Sent folder. You will be returned to the previous screen.

  15. Tap Deleted Mailbox.

  16. Scroll down and tap the Trash folder. You will be returned to the previous screen.

  17. Tap Remove.

  18. Tap Never.

  19. Tap the Home button to return to your home screen.


Configuring your iPhone to connect to WiFi

Note: If you have previously connected your iPhone to the nyupda wireless network, you will need to remove this connection prior to connecting to the nyu SSID; otherwise, skip to the nyu configuration instructions.

Removing existing NYURoam open-network SSIDs
  1. Ensure your iPhone is running the latest software (iPhone 2.0).
  2. On the Home screen, tap the Settings icon.
  3. Tap the Wi-Fi button.
  4. Tap the blue circle to select any NYU wireless SSIDs (nyuguest, nyupda, nyu).
  5. At the very top of the screen, tap the Forget this Network button, then tap the red button to confirm.
  6. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all NYU wireless SSIDs have been cleared.
  7. Restart the iPhone:
    • Hold the power button down for three seconds.
    • When it appears, drag the slider totally to the right.
    • Wait for shutdown to complete.
    • Hold the power button until the phone powers back on.
  8. Follow the online instructions to connect to the nyu SSID.
Connect to the "nyu" SSID
  1. On your iPhone's home screen, tap Settings.

  2. Tap Wi-Fi.

  3. Tap Other . . .

  4. Type nyu for name and tap Security.

  5. Tap WPA2 Enterprise, then tap Other Network.

  6. Next to Username, enter your NYU NetID. Next to Password, enter your NYUHome password.

  7. When prompted, tap Accept.

  8. If the connection fails, tap Cancel and repeat from step 1. If you continue to experience problems, try connecting to nyupda following these instructions.
  9. Once a connection is made, your iPhone will remember and automatically connect to the nyu wireless network.

If you are still having difficulty, try connecting to nyupda following these instructions.



Synchronizing your iPhone with Personal Organizer Data

To configure wired data sychronization on PC or Mac:

  1. Launch the iTunes application on your computer.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your computer with the provided cable.
  3. Click the icon for your iPhone under the Devices list on the left side of the window, then click the Info tab.
  4. Refer to the individual sections below for additional information on configuring data synchronization.
  5. When you are finished with the individual sections that you would like to synchronize, click the Sync or Apply button in the lower right-hand corner of the window.

MobileMe
The MobileMe service provides wireless synchronization for email, contacts, and calendars. It is a paid service that is provided and supported exclusively by Apple.

Contacts
To enable contact synchronization, check the box in the "Contacts" section, then use the pull-down menu to select the application with which you would like your iPhone to sync:

Windows

  • Outlook
  • Windows Address Book
  • Yahoo! Address Book*
  • Google Contacts*

Macintosh

  • Address Book (Apple's built-in application)
  • Yahoo! Address Book*
  • Google Contacts*

* For additional assistance with synchronization to online web services, such as those provided by Google and Yahoo, please contact the appropriate vendor.

Calendars:
To enable calendar synchronization, check the box in the "Calendars" section. Note that in Windows, you can only sync with Outlook, and on the Macintosh you can only sync with iCal.

  • Choose whether to sync all calendars or some calendars by selecting the appropriate radio button.
  • To sync all past events, uncheck the box next to Do not sync events older than.
  • To sync some past events, specify how many days back the iPhone should synchronize.

Mail Accounts:
The iPhone can connect directly to your NYUHome email account; there is no need to use iTunes to synchronize email data. To learn how to connect your iPhone to NYUHome email, see the instructions on this page.

Web Browser:
To keep web browser bookmarks synchronized between your computer and iPhone, check the box in the Web Browser section.

  • Windows: Use the pull-down menu to select Internet Explorer or Safari.
  • Mac: You may only sync bookmarks with Safari.

Advanced:
CAUTION: Checking any of the boxes in the list will wipe out all data on the iPhone indicated by the check box, then replace it with data from the computer, as specified by your synchronization preferences above.

Managing Wireless Connections

If you want to conserve power, or need to disable radios for safety reasons (for instance, in a hospital or airplane), you may wish to disable certain radios on the iPhone.

All Radios (Airplane Mode)
When Airplane Mode is on, all radios are off, and vice versa. No radios except for Wi-Fi (see below) may be enabled while Airplane Mode is on.

  1. Press the Home button.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap the slider next to Airplane Mode to switch between On and Off.

Wi-Fi
When you enter Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi is automatically turned off, but you may manually turn it back on. This is useful if you are in an airplane or hospital that provides Wi-Fi, but it prohibits mobile phone use.

  1. Press the Home button.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Wi-Fi.
  4. Tap the slider next to Wi-Fi to switch between On and Off.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth allows you to connect to wireless communication headsets. If you do not use a wireless headset, Bluetooth may be safely disabled to conserve power.

  1. Press the Home button.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap General.
  4. Tap Bluetooth.
  5. Tap the slider next to Bluetooth to switch between On and Off.

GPS
Newer iPhones ship with GPS radios built-in. There is no option to manually disable GPS. However, GPS is a passive radio service; it only receives radio signals, and emits no signal. Therefore, it draws a negligible amount of power and will never interfere with nearby electronics.

Security

Creating a Passcode

You may create a passcode to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your iPhone. Whenever the iPhone is locked or goes to sleep, you must enter the passcode to use the device again.

To enable Passcode Lock:

  1. Press the Home button.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap General.
  4. Tap Passcode Lock.
  5. Enter your preferred 4-digit numerical passcode twice.

To disable Passcode Lock:

  1. Press the Home button.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap General.
  4. Tap Passcode Lock.
  5. Tap Turn Passcode Off.
  6. Enter your current passcode.

If you have forgotten your passcode, you will need to perform a software restore on your iPhone.

Troubleshooting & Resources

Restarting the iPhone

There are a number of reasons you may wish to restart the iPhone, including:

  • Applications on the iPhone appear unstable.
  • The iPhone is running sluggishly.
  • You cannot properly connect to Wi-Fi or mobile networks.

To restart the iPhone:

  1. Hold the power button down for 4 seconds.
  2. Drag the red slider across the screen.
  3. Wait for the screen to go totally blank.
  4. Hold down the power button until the Apple logo appears.

Updating the iPhone System Software

If you are encountering chronic problems on your iPhone, or simply want to ensure you have the newest features available, you should update your iPhone system software (sometimes referred to as the firmware.)

  1. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
  2. Start the iTunes application on your computer.
  3. Connect your iPhone to the computer with the provided cable.
  4. Click the icon for your iPhone under the Devices list on the left side of the window, then click the Summary tab.
  5. Click the Check for Updates button.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the system software on your iPhone (you will be informed if no updates are available).

Restoring the iPhone

Performing a software restore on your iPhone resets the device to factory defaults, clearing out your data, settings, media, and third-party applications. It does not revert to an earlier version of iPhone system software. There are a number of reasons you may wish to perform a software restore on your iPhone:

  • You are experiencing substantial performance or stability issues with your iPhone.
  • You wish to remove personal information.
  • You have forgotten your iPhone passcode.
  • The iPhone is no longer syncing properly.

To perform a software restore:

  1. Start the iTunes application on your computer.
  2. Connect your iPhone with the provided sync cable.
  3. Allow iTunes to sync (if sync is still functional).
  4. Click the icon for your iPhone under the Devices list on the left side of the window, then click the Summary tab.
  5. Click the Restore button.

Page last reviewed: March 23, 2009