How to set up a smartphone for your elderly loved ones

On iPhone: Touch and hold the Home screen until the icons jiggle, then drag them to rearrange them or tap the X to unpin them.

Add shortcuts to useful tasks or applications

One of the best things you can do is put shortcuts on your home screen to make it easier to call or message your closest contacts with a single tap.

On Android phone: Press and hold on the home screen and select Widgetschoose browse tab, and then scroll down to communicationHe chooses Direct contactand select a contact. You can place the shortcut anywhere on the home screen, and they can call that person by just tapping on it. You can add Direct message Shortcuts are the same way.

On iPhone: use Abbreviations program. If you create a Home screen folder, you’ll likely be able to add multiple shortcuts. You can tap the plus (+) icon at the top right to add, search for, or scroll down to a new shortcut phone or FaceTimepress it again, then press communication Choose the contact you want to add. Click at the top and choose Rename To name the shortcut, choose the icon, and Add to home screen. You can also tap and hold on the home screen until the icons jiggle and tap on them Edit At the top left, then Add widgetAnd choose communicationthen select the contact you want to add, but this will require an extra click when they want to connect.

Call shortcut to contact on Android

Screenshots: Simon Hill

Think Simple Launcher (Android only)

With Android phones, you can change the Launcher, which determines the look of the entire interface, including things like app icons and font size.

Samsung phones have an alternative launcher called Easy Mode built in. To turn it on, go to Settings, an offerAnd choose Easy mode. There are plenty of alternative Android launchers you can install, many of which simplify your phone experience with larger icons. Simple Launcher, Big Launcher, or Senior Home are all worth a look.

Increase font size

To make the font more readable, you can increase its size. There are plenty of other smartphone features that are useful for people with vision loss.

On Android phone: Go to Settings, Display and touchAnd choose Display and text sizethen drag the slider to adjust it. You can also get there via Settings, accessibilitythen Display and text size.