If you are struggling to use Apple hardware or software, here’s the solution: read the manual!
Safari
Developer Apple Inc
Difficulty
Time needed
10
At one time, new hardware and software would be accompanied by a large printed manual in the box. We could read it and find out how to use our new purchase.
These days you are lucky if a hardware device provides anything beyond a thin pamphlet telling you how to plug it in. Software is purchased online and there is no manual. There may be little in-app help. It saves trees, but it can leave people struggling to use their latest purchase.
Fortunately, Apple provides free manuals for everything online. Read them in Safari or download them to read offline. If you want to fix old hardware, repair manuals are available too.
Step-by-step Save missing manuals in Apple Books
1 Browse the manuals
Open Safari and go to support.apple. com/manuals to find manuals organised by product. Click the arrows at either end to scroll it and click a product.
2 Select a format
Some products only provide a link to a web page, but some provide Web, PDF and Apple Books links. The information is the same, but the format is different. Click ‘Web’.
3 Browse the manual
Here we have the Apple Watch User Guide presented as an attractively designed web page. Scroll down the page to see a brief overview, and then click ‘Table of Contents’.
4 Expand and select
Chapter headings are listed. Scroll up and down to see them all. Click a heading to expand it and see the subsections. When you find what you want, click the subheading.
5 Download the manual
Back on the manuals page, find a product with an Apple Books link and click it, like this Apple Watch User Guide.
