For the family

Setting up a parent's phone: a checklist

One afternoon of setup makes everything else easier. Tick each one off as you go.

1. Make the words bigger and bolder In the phone's Settings, under Display or Accessibility. Do it together so they know where it lives.
2. Turn on spam call protection Look in the phone's Settings for silencing unknown or spam callers. Fewer scam calls means fewer chances to get caught.
3. Put one AI helper on the home screen Just one, from the phone's official app store. Sign them in and leave it on the first screen.
4. Show them the microphone button In the box where you type. Talking is often easier than typing.
5. Add your number to Favorites And to the emergency contacts, so you are one tap away.
6. Set up the emergency information Both iPhone and Android phones have an emergency or medical information page, reachable from the lock screen.
7. Agree on a family code word For any call that says someone is in trouble. Keep it in your heads, not written by the phone.
8. Turn on automatic updates So they never have to decide whether a pop-up is real.
9. Fill in "My people" in Asking Stuff Your name and number, and one other person they trust, on the Safety page.
10. Do the first card together Sit beside them, then let them drive. Don't take the phone.