Skip to main content

How To: Register an Apple iPad

When you purchase an iPad and boot it up for the first time, Apple will ask you to register the device. Now, you don’t necessarily have to register your device in order to use it. Even if you don’t, you can still download apps and take full advantage of your tablet’s capabilities. Basically, registration helps if your device is lost or stolen, and also helps Apple keep you up to date with the latest software updates and product releases.

Registration is an incredibly simple process that only takes a few minutes to complete. Here’s how to do it:

Step One

Go to Apple’s product registration website.

Step Two

Here, you’ll be asked to choose your location and set your preferred language from two drop-down menus. After you do this, the site will prompt you to log in with your Apple ID credentials. If you don’t have one, go ahead and create one.

Step Three

Select the number of products you’d like to register (probably just one) and then click Next.

Step Four

On the next screen, you’ll be prompted to select the device you wish to register. Select “iPad” from the categories list. Be sure to specify whether you have a Wi-Fi or 3G model, and then click “Continue.”

Step Five

Figure out your iPad’s serial number. These are always printed on the back of the tablet, right below the product details.

Step Six

To finish things up, just indicate how you will use the device and set your location. Click “Continue” to complete your iPad’s registration!

Now that you’re all registered, be sure to check out our Best iPad Apps, Best iPad Games, Best iPad Cases, and Best iPad Accessories lists.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
iOS 18 makes an 11-year-old iPhone feature exciting again
Someone holding an iPhone 14, showing the Lock Screen.

Following the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2024) keynote, developers are starting to dig into the first iOS 18 developer beta. Though this beta lacks Apple Intelligence and many of the other features demoed on Monday, it offers a surprising new take on an old iOS feature: the flashlight.

The built-in flashlight feature has been available on the iPhone since iOS 7, which was released in 2013. It hasn't changed much at all since then, which makes sense, given its basic function. Interestingly, it has received a significant update in iOS 18.

Read more
Everything Apple announced at WWDC 2024: iOS 18, AI, and more
Apple logo for WWDC 2024.

It's that time of year once again! It's time for Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference -- also known as WWDC. WWDC is home to some of Apple's most important announcements of the year, typically revolving around new software updates for its devices.

WWDC 2024 is no different. This year's show is arguably one of the biggest and most important for Apple in years. With iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and more updates, there's a lot to take in. Lucky for you, we're rounding up all the announcements here.

Read more
AT&T just made it a lot easier to upgrade your phone
AT&T Storefront with logo.

Do you want to upgrade your phone more than once a year? What about three times a year? Are you on AT&T? If you answered yes to those questions, then AT&T’s new “Next Up Anytime” early upgrade program is made for you. With this add-on, you’ll be able to upgrade your phone three times a year for just $10 extra every month. It will be available starting July 16.

Currently, AT&T has its “Next Up” add-on, which has been available for the past several years. This program costs $6 extra per month and lets you upgrade by trading in your existing phone after at least half of it is paid off. But the new Next Up Anytime option gives you some more flexibility.

Read more