How to Use Apple Support

how-to-use-apple-support photo 1

Need help with your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac computer? You should be able to find it through Apple's Support app and website.

Released in January for iOS devices, the Apple Support app shows you the best ways to get help for your Apple products. You'll find tutorials on how to use, manage, and customize your Apple devices. You can also call or chat with an Apple Expert or schedule repair service or other help at your nearest Apple Store. Let's see how the app works.


First, download the Support app. Fire it up, and it automatically detects your Apple ID and displays a list of all the Apple devices linked to that ID.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 2

If you're having trouble with a particular device, tap on its entry. The app then shows you a list of troubleshooting topics related to your device. For example, tapping on the entry for an iPhone delivers links to such topics as Battery, Power & Charging; Cellular & Wi-Fi; Apple ID & Password; iOS & Applications; and iCloud FaceTime & Messages.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 3

Tap on a specific topic, and you'll see another list of certain types of problems. For example, under the topic for Battery, Power & Charging are such technical issues as "Unable to power on," Unexpected shutdown or restart," "Device slow or unresponsive to touch," and "Not charging when connected."

how-to-use-apple-support photo 4

Tap on one of the problems, and the app segues to a screen with recommended articles that may help you resolve the issue, as well as links to contact someone at Apple to get support.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 5

You can get information and help on products you don't own in case you're interested in buying them and want to learn more about any potential technical troubles. On the homepage of the app, you can also read general how-to articles, such as "How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch," "Use Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch," and "Take and edit photos with your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch."

how-to-use-apple-support photo 6

You have a few options for getting help directly from the folks at Apple. After you tap on a specific problem, the app offers you the ability to chat with an Apple tech support rep via instant messaging, talk to someone on the phone, schedule a call for later in the day, provide your contact information and then call back later, or schedule an appointment to bring your device in for repair.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 7

Depending on the nature of the problem, your best bet is probably to chat with or call someone at Apple and see if the rep can resolve your issue that way. If it can't be fixed via a phone call or chat, then the rep can help you schedule an appointment at your neighborhood Apple Store.


Get Technical Help on Your Computer

If you don't have an iOS device, or your iOS device is giving you trouble, you can also troubleshoot and get help from Apple on your computer. To kick off this process, hop online and browse to the Apple Support website. Click on "Contact Support" on the top right and then "Get help" under the "Talk to us" section.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 8

On the next page—which will say "What can we help you with?" or "Get help where you are" depending on whether you've signed in on this site before—click on the button for the product category that's giving you trouble.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 9

At the next screen, click on the name of the specific product.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 10

Alternatively, at the "Get help where you are/What can we help you with?" page, you can click on the link to "See your products" and then sign in with your Apple ID and password. The next page that appears displays all of the Apple products registered in your name. Just click on the name of the device that's misbehaving.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 11

If another screen pops up, click on the topic that best describes the trouble you're experiencing.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 12

And if yet another screen appears, click on the name of the specific issue that's plaguing you.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 13

By this point, you should see a page listing the different options for contacting Apple Support. Note that some products and problems will trigger fewer screens before you get to this page. In some cases, the page will list options to talk to Apple by phone: 1) Talk to Apple Support Now; 2) Schedule a Call; and 3) Call Apple Support Later.

Choose the option that's most convenient for you. For options 1 and 2, you'll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID if you haven't already done so. For option 3, you'll be asked for your contact information. You'll then be able to speak with an Apple Support rep.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 14

In other cases, you'll see an option to chat with Apple. Choose that option if you're not much of a phone person. You'll have to sign in before being connected with a support rep.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 15

And in still other cases, mostly those that entail hardware problems, you'll see an option to schedule an appointment to bring your device in for repairs. Choose that option if you feel it's most appropriate.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 16

Sign in with your Apple ID. At the "Bring in for Repair" screen, enter your city and state or ZIP code to find the closest Apple Store and then click on the Go button.

how-to-use-apple-support photo 17

Choose the nearest store, and pick a date and time for the appointment. Your reservation is then confirmed. Good luck!

how-to-use-apple-support photo 18

For more Apple tutorials, check out:

  • How to Find Cover Art for Your iTunes Albums
  • How to Share Your iTunes Library Among Multiple Devices
  • How to Turn On Apple Two-Factor Authentication
  • How to Cancel Apple Music
  • How to Use a Smartphone App to Find Your Car

Recommended stories

Apple Aims to Use Only Recycled Materials

The company in its 2017 Environmental Responsibility Report said it aims to have a 'closed-loop' supply chain, 'where products are built using only renewable resources or recycled material.'

More stories

Google Home Can Now Help You Cook

And in case you'd rather daydream about seeing the hit musical Hamilton instead of cooking dinner, Google can help you out with that, too.