I don't have an iPhone but I do have a smartphone. I purchased a protective case off the internet and a glass screen protector which has protected it so far. I've seen a glass screen protector at one of those mall kiosks that, IIRC, has a lifetime warranty. I thought it started with a "Z" but am unable to find it in a quick search at the moment.

What I really wanted to say is that I'm sure you'll love your new phone and enjoy having it every day.

ETA: "Zagg" screen protectors.

Congrats on the phone. You will wonder how you ever managed without. I have a mid-level OtterBox cover. I'm not hard on phones so don't need anything bulletproof. The heavy duty covers are bulky and hard to get in and out of a pocket. I don't carry my phone in a pocket all the time but when I do I don't want to struggle to get it in and out.

Yay for you. You will love it! Dh has a slip-in case for his phone and I have a regular case. Used to have a plexiglass/plastic (?) screen protector, but wasn't really happy with it. I think I will switch to a slip-in case when I upgrade from my 4 series iPhone.

I have a LifeProof for my iPhone 5. It is thinner than the Otterbox.

I also have a wristlet wallet that I will use when we go to concerts, sports, etc. I do have to take it out of the Lifeproof to use the wristlet.

We have the Otterbox Defender as we did not want to take any chances. If you look around you can find a good deal.

I went through the slippery thing, too. Then I got a tech21 case in orange.

Lightweight, not slippery at all, not crazy expensive. It comes in other colors. I have the gold so the transparent part let's the color show. But that's the least of it.

Excellent for me going on 1-1/2 years. Bright edge lets me see the phone in my purse.

I've owned three Otterbox Defender cases (3 different phones). Cannot say enough good things about them.

I also have the tech21 case, but in clear, going on 2 years. I drop my iPhone 6 all the time, and this case has some give to it, so it kind of bounce a bit. Also, some of the other silicone cases make it hard for the phone to slide in and out of the pocket of my bag that I keep it in, this does not. Slides in and out of back pocket of my jeans too. They sell them at the Apple Store.

The otter box costs about$25, not a deal breaker. I like a bright color so I can find it, like rococo said. I had a plastic screen protector on the iPad but it was annoying so I took it off. Thanks for tips! Now playing have to learn how to text.

Another vote for Otterbox, if you might be rough on the phone. DH got his smart phone in Sept, and I was sure he'd break it in the first week. He does home repair and has been known to drop his phone from a ladder. So far, the phone is intact, much to my amazement.

dedtired, I also recently caved, but only because my neighbor's daughter gave me her old, but perfectly working, iPhone4. Sweetest, nicest girl I've known.

However, it is not getting the Internet when I'm out and about, so I've got to figure that out. I get home, get out of my car, and it starts binging and zinging and playing the Sherwood Forest theme (my choice for my email notification) because it's within reach of my own router. And I really hate to admit this, but I like texting! However, I cannot believe anyone is stupid enough to text and drive! Just cannot fathom it. I'm completely distracted when I'm sending a text.

and a $55 a month two year contract

Is that typical? We're still using flip phones with a $35 monthly fee from Consumer Cellular, but dh has mentioned a switch to Smart phones. Neither of us has a desire to text, but it would be nice to have the option to access the internet while out and about. I guess. For the most part I'm happily disconnected when out of the house.

Otterbox are great my husband still uses one. I have a new large Android phone. Best place I have found to buy cases is eBay. Just do a search for iPhone 6 case. Be sure to search only for your specific phone and size so all the cut outs match. I currently have a great case similar to an Otterbox style but slimmer and pretty. Prices can range from $3 - 50.

Had a Lifeproof with my first iPhone and hated it. The screen was hard to type on and I eventually ditched it. Of course the company said it was over a year old and the would not replace it. Don't like the Otterbox because it makes the phone too bulky (I run with mine) so I got a Speck case that has texture on the back and a screen saver. I am not prone to dropping my phone so I was willing to take the chance.

I believe Otterbox bought Lifeproof fairly recently. Someone told me this; I have not verified.

I have this case in purple and black. I love it. It's a hybrid case, It has a full rubber black case and a hard body purple shell that locks on over the rubber case so it's very well protected. I buy lots of cases and switch them up for variety. I have the wristlet wallet type case too which has slots for credit cards and Id. Case

I returned the Otterbox - I know they have a good reputation but for me they were too big. After looking at many cases I got the Tech 21 case in burgundy. I've had my phone for over a year without any mishaps.

Tibb, I think you have to turn on the data thingy to get the internet when you are away from wifi. Don't ask me how to do that. Raven, that is a very cheerful case. Love the price!

I especially have some difficulty hanging onto wide things, so perhaps the thinner one is better for me. I;ll look at the Tech 21.

Cindy, I know there are better deals out there and I probably should have held out for one. My plan is with Verizon and others around here say T-Mobile is less expensive. I also looked into Consumer Cellular (the plan for Sr Citizens!) at one point but I would have to buy one of their phones or get an unlocked one. That might not have been a bad idea.

I just have a light weight hard plastic type cover. Thin, more like a "sleeve" but hard plastic. Black/white pattern with my monogram. Hubby always uses an otterbox but they're too heavy looking for me. I'm not hard on a phone at all and don't need the protection he does. Of course I'll probably drop my phone tomorrow. LOL

Hmmm..anyone know how to turn on the data thingy?

Thanks Dedtired. I'm completely new to this thing as well.

Hmmm. for some reason I think my phone does it automatically - I wonder if my kids set it up that way. I've had Android smart phones for a few years and I'm fairly new to Apple.

But ....I think you go to Settings....and click on Cellular.

And you can use your phone as a hotspot to connect your iPad to the internet when you're away from home.

Another otterbox defender user and I love it. the only thing is that it makes the phone chunky and here Apple et al are trying to make phones as thin as possible and we make them easier to handle with the chunky covers. something's amiss...

When you get out of your home wifi range, it will automatically go to LTE or 3G.

Definitely get the glass screen protector - if you drop it, the glass screen will shatter versus your iphone screen. The store you buy it from will put the glass screen on for you.

I don't have it, but Lifeproof makes a case called Lifeproof Nuud. There is not aplastic covering on the actual screen - so no thick plastic to type through. I had the regular Lifeproof for my iphone 5. I didn't care for the plastic screen but my phone survived drops & being handled with wet, muddy gardening hands.

For my Iphone 6, I got a thinner Otterbox. Not a good choice for me. I dropped my phone on concrete, the glass screen shattered & the letter Z & number 6 no longer work. I should have gotten a Lifeproof or a thicker Otterbox. My phone is insured but I don't want to pay the $150 to replace it AGAIN!! Don't go to the bathroom with your phone in your back pocket. That event was my first replacement.

Tibb...you do have a data plan, right? That's the only way to have Web access on your phone when not using wifi.

I have a Speck CandyShell case on my iPhone 6. Not too bulky, but decent protection. I drop my phone a lot!

We got DH the Speck CandyShell grip case for his (Samsung) smartphone. It has silicone strips (grips) on the back. He'd never used a case on his phones before, but he's happy with this one.

We're an Otterbox family (5), and we've never had to replace a phone due to breakage.

I recently upgraded my 3G/Otterbox to a 6 and got the Speck case. I like the Speck but I'm very careful with my phone. My kids will stick with Otterbox.

Oh, Tibbrix, pay that sweet girl to come back over and go through your phone with you to show you how it works. My kids give me frequent tutorials because I don't know what the heck I'm doing!

I coat my Samsung S6 (backside cover)with an acrylic slip resistant coating.

Here's the one I have. It gets a lot of double takes!

Lisa, that is in fact what I intend to do!

Maire_cate, the cellular data is turned on and has been since I got the phone, so that's not the problem. Must be something having to do with what Anitamo mentioned.

Thanks, Anitamo. I'll call Consumer Cellular and ask them. I though the SIM card did all that, but it ain't happenin'.

Tib, you have to have a data plan or you will only have wifi.

thanks hk. I'll call my provider.

Thank you, everyone. Just called, and they fixed it. All set.

Apologize to OP for the hijack.

Hey, no apologies necessary. I'm learning, too. My local Apple store has classes so I may sign up.

i have a 6plus now... have the glass screen protector and a speck case... i like both... the screen protector doesn't interfere with the function or look at all- much better than the old screen protectors! and i like the case- it's slim which is what i wanted with such a large phone and it has a nice pattern with a bright edge so that it is easily seen!

How to turn on the "data thingy: for anyone else who might need to know:

Touch Settings

Touch Cellular Data

Under Cellular Data push the slider to the right so it shows green

Touch Enable LTE

Touch Voice & Data

What that does is give you cell service without WIFI. That way, the phone works when you leave the house. If the cellular date is not enabled no wifi no phone reception.

I just leave it on all the time. Mainly my phone is used on wifi.

so does it use wifi all the time except when its not available, then it automatically switches to data?

Generally yes it will use accessible, accepted wifi first then when not available out and about it accesses the mobile network for all transmission phone calls and data transmission. It will show you if there are wifi networks available around you, most will be locked and not available. If you are located near a free hot spot it will notify you of the network and if you want to use it you can click on it and connect. Some free hot spots require that you get a password from them to use their free network. Keep in mind that any open free hot spots is just that open to anyone and not secure so don't be doing banking or using credit cards. I personally don't even access my email on an open hot spot.

Incipio Cases

I always get the Incipio Dual cases. They aren't the most pretty case, but what I like is that it has double layers (shock proof) and it's made of a rubbery material that is soft but not slippery. I got mine at Verizon, but they're also available on Amazon. Mine's Lime Green

I also use a glass protector, the one I have on right now I got from the Apple store. It was pricey but it has no glare and I like that.

Doesn't iPhone have Smart Network (auto switching) like most other Smartphones?

Network vs wifi works as ravencajun described.

Re public wifi. I don't go there. I have enough data that I have never maxed it out except when we had a power outage and DH wanted to watch Netflix.

Totally not worth getting hacked on public wifi. Use wifi at home. Use data out. That's the entire point of having both.

They charge you for a set amount of data per month. You can check it in your phone. Most have alerts when you are about to go over the monthly amount. Some carriers have rollover.

When you're out use your data. You are paying for it.

I've used an ifrogz case for years. DH does too. I like it because I carry my phone in my pocket and it's not bulky but has protected our phones when dropped on a hard surface. I quit that screen film thing awhile back because it's such a nuisance and I realized it's not really needed with the gorilla glass. No problem without it.

I finally ordered an Otterbox Symmetry, one of their mid-level designs. The color I ordered from Amazon was less expensive than other colors. I really wanted the Aqua Dot but it was $20 more than the dark blue. This case got lots of good comments although I can see where some of the others are sturdier. I just needed something fast and this was inexpensive enough ($16) that I can get a different one guilt-free if I don't like it. Comments also mentioned that light color cases get dirty pretty fast, so a dark blue should work for the time being. All your tips were very helpful. Thanks!