How to set up a phone for an older relative

Before you start

• Your relative is with you and happy with the changes you're making.
• The phone is charged and connected to Wi-Fi.
• They have an Apple Account or Google account, with a password they can remember, or you're ready to create one with them.
• You have the numbers of the people and services they call most, such as family, their GP surgery and pharmacy.

0 of 4 done. Ticking just helps you keep track; nothing is saved or sent.

Steps

1. 1

   Choose a passcode they'll remember

   Pick something they can recall easily but others wouldn't guess. Face ID or a fingerprint can save them typing it every time.

2. 2

   Make the text bigger

   On iPhone, open Settings, then Display and Brightness, then Text Size. The Accessibility settings have larger sizes and a Bold Text option. On Android, look in Settings under Display for Font size and Display size, or under Accessibility.

3. 3

   Consider a simpler layout

   IPhone has Assistive Access in the Accessibility settings, a simplified layout set up by a trusted person. Some Android makers offer a simple mode, such as Samsung's Easy mode. At the very least, move the apps they use onto the first screen and tidy the rest away.

4. 4

   Add their important contacts

   Add family, friends, their GP surgery and pharmacy, with photos where you can. Mark the closest few as favourites so they're one tap away.

5. 5

   Fill in their emergency information

   On iPhone, set up Medical ID in the Health app and let it show when the phone is locked. On Android, look in Settings for Safety and emergency, or Emergency information. Add emergency contacts, and any medical details they're happy to share.

6. 6

   Show them the emergency call shortcut

   Most phones have a quick way to call emergency services. Check how it works on their phone, so they know it's there and it isn't triggered by accident.

7. 7

   Turn on scam call filtering

   On iPhone, look in the Phone settings for Silence Unknown Callers or, on newer versions, an option to screen unknown callers. On Android, open the Phone app's settings and look for Caller ID and spam, or spam protection.

8. 8

   Keep updates switched on

   On iPhone, open Settings, then General, then Software Update, and turn on Automatic Updates. On Android, look in Settings under System or Software update. Updates fix security problems.

If this happens, try this

• If genuine callers end up in voicemail

  Silencing unknown callers can catch the GP surgery or a delivery driver. Add those numbers to their contacts.

• If they get a scam call or text

  Talk them through our guide to spotting scam texts, emails and calls. Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726, and 159 reaches their bank.

• If unwanted sales calls keep coming

  Register their number, mobile or landline, with the Telephone Preference Service, free, at tpsonline.org.uk or on 0345 070 0707. Scammers ignore it, so filtering still matters.

• If they forget the passcode

  Don't keep guessing. Too many wrong attempts can lock the phone, and getting back in may mean erasing it. That's why a backup matters.

• If they find calls hard to hear

  Look in the Accessibility settings for hearing options. Many phones also work with Bluetooth hearing aids.

Things to be careful about

• Their phone, their choice. Only turn on location sharing or other tracking with their clear agreement, and explain what it does.

• Remote help. Tell them never to let someone they don't know take control of the phone, whoever the caller says they are.

• Payments in apps. Think about whether a card needs to be saved in the app store at all, and make sure purchases need a password or Face ID.

• Passcodes on paper. Keep any written note of passcodes at home, somewhere safe, never in the phone case.