Improve ease of use with bigger text and icons, voice commands and more.
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My parent just upgraded to a smartphone but is having trouble learning how to use it. Is there a way to make it easier for them to?
Switching to a smartphone can be a big adjustment. What seems second nature to younger users can feel overwhelming to someone who has never used a touchscreen. Even though the screen is bigger, the text can still be small and the buttons may be hard to tap. It is also frustrating when one accidental touch can open an app or change a setting. Even simple tasks like texting or taking a picture can suddenly feel overwhelming.
The good news is that smartphones can be surprisingly user-friendly. They will often have special settings and accessibility features that make them easier to see, hear and navigate. The exact steps vary depending on the phone, but here are some helpful settings and options.
Making Text and Icons Bigger The best place to start is in a phone’s settings. Once in Settings, look for an option called "Display" or “Display & Brightness.” Once there, you can change the font size, change the font style, and increase the size of icons and buttons. These small changes can make a big difference, especially for those who struggle with their vision.
Reading the Screen Out Loud Look for an option in the Settings section called "Accessibility." There are very helpful tools in this section, such as turning on a feature that reads whatever is on the screen aloud. Accessibility settings may also allow your parent to connect to their hearing aid via Bluetooth. Most phones also have a zoom tool that makes text or pictures larger, and there is often an option for voice control that lets your parent open apps or write messages by using a voice command.
A Simple Home Screen Some phones let you turn on simple mode or assistive access to clear away extra apps and only show big, easy buttons for the apps that are used the most, like Phone, Messages and Camera. You can even lock this mode with a passcode so it does not switch back by accident. This is great for someone who has never used a smartphone before and can make using the phone much less intimidating.
Buttons Instead of Swiping Many smartphones use swipe gestures instead of buttons to navigate, which can feel confusing at first. Most phones will let you switch back to simple on-screen buttons instead – one for Home, one for Back and one to see recently used apps.
Other Helpful Tools In the Accessibility section, you might also find options for subtitles that appear automatically when someone is talking or a tool that makes quiet sounds louder. The contrast may also be adjusted, which makes things easier to read on the screen. There is also an option to adjust touch response times and touch sensitivity to reduce accidental taps.
Extra Tips Clean up the smartphone’s home screen by removing unused apps and placing the most used apps, such as Phone, Messages and Photos, on the first screen. Choose simple wallpaper, turn up the ringtone and alert volume, add favorite contacts for one-touch calling, and increase the screen timeout so the display stays on longer.
The goal is not to master every feature. Start with the basics such as answering calls, sending texts and taking photos. This will allow plenty of time to practice and get familiar with the phone. With a few simple adjustments, a smartphone can become a tool they enjoy using.
“Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to NBC’s “Today Show.” The column, and others like it, is available to read via The American Legion’s Fund Development program, a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs. Consider naming The American Legion in your will or trust as a part of your personal legacy. Learn more about the process, and the variety of charitable programs you can benefit, at legion.org/plannedgiving. Clicking on “Learn more” will bring up an “E-newsletter” button, where you can sign up for regular information.
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