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scaramoosh

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 30, 2014
863
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Honestly, I think Apple really needs to simplify the iPhone for the elderly. I know there are accessibility modes, but you don’t want to have to go through all that and spend hours trying to customize the phone. Also, the whole phone setup process needs to be delayed; having to go through it for an hour puts them off from even wanting to bother. I first set the phones up to make accounts, but it turns out none of them could understand how to unlock the phone. Entering a passcode was a nightmare because they kept forgetting it, even though it was a birthday they knew, lol.

So, I tried Touch ID and Face ID, and that was even more complicated and kept erroring out. Then, the Siri thing kept popping up on the phones with Touch ID, despite turning it off, and the whole swiping from the button kept making the screen go down to the bottom half. :/ There were too many apps; all they wanted was the phone app, but it doesn’t default to the keypad, which was too much for them to find.


The phones are too fiddly now, and pressing random things as they try to hold the phone meant the phone got lost in a sea of opening stuff up. So, I tried the assistive access, but why isn’t this an option from the get-go? It asks you the age of setup; why not have a 65+ or something for a senior mode?


They don’t need passcodes, accounts, and a sea of information. It’s insane, and it’s insane how fiddly these phones are. I never noticed because I’m used to it, but for these people with hands that barely move, the fake Touch ID button and the swiping from the bottom on Face ID phones seem to be the worst! I think having a proper physical button, like iPhones used to have, would have been superior. The one complaint about the fake button was that it didn’t feel like a real button, so they couldn’t gauge it.


I left there achieving nothing because they couldn’t figure out their old Nokia phones. The unlock thing on the keypad was too difficult, and if I turned that off, they kept dialing 999 in their pockets for some reason. That’s why I was there: they were calling emergency services 100 times a day, lol.


I think what I’ve realized is that I need to go back with flip phones that answer and hang up when you open and close them. However, the two I tried before didn’t act like that, and they had too many features. I really thought I could make the iPhone simple, but NOPE!


Apple should work on their phones to make them more accessible and less fiddly, without having to go through a sea of menus.
 
Couple of points:
  • If the people you were trying to help only want something to make phone calls with, couldn't find the keypad in the phone app and couldn't cope with a Nokia "dumb" phone I respectfully suggest that a smartphone (of any type) is the wrong tool for the job.
  • It's just not true that no-one elderly can cope with an iPhone or the process to set it up. My mother is in her 80s: she does need "passcodes, accounts, and a sea of information" and uses her iPhone (and iPad) just fine.
  • Apple's accessibility work is (rightly IMO) regarded among the best in the industry. It's not a miracle worker though (see above comment re: the "dumb" phones).
p.s. did you try deleting all the apps except the phone app from the Home Screen?
 
There will be members on here who just make calls, message and scroll socials but still have the Pro Max when the regular iPhone would do!
If that were me, I would just use an OGSE as my main phone. No point in lugging around a massive brick when a small and dainty device performs just as well for light tasks.
 
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Honestly, I think Apple really needs to simplify the iPhone for the elderly. I know there are accessibility modes, but you don’t want to have to go through all that and spend hours trying to customize the phone. Also, the whole phone setup process needs to be delayed; having to go through it for an hour puts them off from even wanting to bother. I first set the phones up to make accounts, but it turns out none of them could understand how to unlock the phone. Entering a passcode was a nightmare because they kept forgetting it, even though it was a birthday they knew, lol.

So, I tried Touch ID and Face ID, and that was even more complicated and kept erroring out. Then, the Siri thing kept popping up on the phones with Touch ID, despite turning it off, and the whole swiping from the button kept making the screen go down to the bottom half. :/ There were too many apps; all they wanted was the phone app, but it doesn’t default to the keypad, which was too much for them to find.


The phones are too fiddly now, and pressing random things as they try to hold the phone meant the phone got lost in a sea of opening stuff up. So, I tried the assistive access, but why isn’t this an option from the get-go? It asks you the age of setup; why not have a 65+ or something for a senior mode?


They don’t need passcodes, accounts, and a sea of information. It’s insane, and it’s insane how fiddly these phones are. I never noticed because I’m used to it, but for these people with hands that barely move, the fake Touch ID button and the swiping from the bottom on Face ID phones seem to be the worst! I think having a proper physical button, like iPhones used to have, would have been superior. The one complaint about the fake button was that it didn’t feel like a real button, so they couldn’t gauge it.


I left there achieving nothing because they couldn’t figure out their old Nokia phones. The unlock thing on the keypad was too difficult, and if I turned that off, they kept dialing 999 in their pockets for some reason. That’s why I was there: they were calling emergency services 100 times a day, lol.


I think what I’ve realized is that I need to go back with flip phones that answer and hang up when you open and close them. However, the two I tried before didn’t act like that, and they had too many features. I really thought I could make the iPhone simple, but NOPE!


Apple should work on their phones to make them more accessible and less fiddly, without having to go through a sea of menus.
I'll be 71 in the not-too-distant future and my 17 Pro Max cosmic orange just arrived Monday.

The easiest phones I've ever used for older folks were Windows phones. And of the 9 iPhones I've had since, allowing for technological improvements over a decade, the most enjoyable phones I've used are Windows ones.

That said, people get used to things over time. It was true when we drove manual transmissions and it is true of tech. My mom, now passed, was still doing genealogical research on her computer at age 89.
 
My late father was in his 70's when I handed down my original SE and an iPad Mini to him. I took an hour or two to run him through basic functions and hid some of the pointless apps he didn't need and downloaded a few things he might use. He knew how to call, text (in mostly caps), FaceTime, check email, take photos, use Safari, and Facebook. It worked just fine for him until he passed. Every now again he'd have a question, but he'd figure it out with a little instruction over the phone or in person. To put it into perspective, he was the guy that when we got him his first computer, he didn't know how to turn it on or use it. Almost anyone can learn. iOS, while it has added some feautures and functions over the years that may not be needed for most, is still a relatively simple operating system for basic functions and a little patience.
 
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If that were me, I would just use an OGSE as my main phone. No point in lugging around a massive brick when a small and dainty device performs just as well for light tasks.

That might actually be too small to read the keypad and pressing on numbers to dial.

Mind, I reckon those in their 60s-70s already had access to smartphones and computers while working. My mom (late 60s) got her first iPhone 13 years ago and was on Android Froyo before that. Her Android experience wasn't so good but she's pretty happy with her iPhone and iPad.
 
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I'll be 71 in the not-too-distant future and my 17 Pro Max cosmic orange just arrived Monday.

The easiest phones I've ever used for older folks were Windows phones. And of the 9 iPhones I've had since, allowing for technological improvements over a decade, the most enjoyable phones I've used are Windows ones.

That said, people get used to things over time. It was true when we drove manual transmissions and it is true of tech. My mom, now passed, was still doing genealogical research on her computer at age 89.

Sure, my grandmother, who would be 94 now, knew how to do some basic coding, and could work in Basic. She was an attorney and started using computers at her practice in the early 80s, and was still very proficient, and heavily used the internet (minus social media) until her passing a few years ago...while her daughter (my mother) who is now 70 won't touch a computer and has never used email or the internet. She has a flip phone.

As for iOS, my father has extremely calloused and rough hands. Touch devices often won't pick up his fingers because of it. My iPhone won't read his taps, nor will the trackpad on my MacBook. He uses an Asus Chromebox with a mouse and keyboard.

iPhone and iPads aren't for everyone.
 
My grandfather is 85 and he uses an iPhone just fine. I set him up and did the following:

Removed any and all widgets

On the home screen added 6 shortcut buttons for the people he calls most

On the dock just the phone and messages app

Hid any other apps in a folder on the second home screen

That along with a few little accessibility settings and making fonts bigger is all it took.... he uses the phone flawlessly and loves it
 
We are in our 80's. My wife uses an iPhone 8, no password. She likes it because she can call people by just pushing the button and saying their name -- works fine. When the phone goes bad, I buy a new one on eBay for $100 or so. She does NOT like (and cannot manage) the phones that you have to swipe up to open -- the 8 is perfect for her.
 
That is so sad, all of us will get there some day. Maybe some of us will keep pace and understand it but it won't be the same as someone born in 1940 trying to use an iPhone
 
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My dad has a number of cognitive impairments. He had my mom's old iphone at one point, but he just couldn't handle it. We got him a Lively Jitterbug Smartphone 4. It is an awful experience. It's designed for seniors though and he was able to use it for a little while. That time has passed. He still has it and can handle making or receiving a call every once in a while (typically with help), but mostly just gets confused and annoyed by it. He always asks me for help with it when I visit, but it's never charged.


It's definitely frustrating, but I just try to do what I can with him while I'm available.
 
I have often felt the ios gestures would not be easy for an elderly person to learn or do. I know with my mom who is 80 she loves Android and has no plans to switch to an iphone and I'm glad, I couldn't imagine trying to teach her.
 
My great uncle is 98 and uses an iPad like a champ!

I thought there was an accessibility setting in iOS that gives large icons and a minimal OS? https://support.apple.com/en-nz/guide/assistive-access-iphone/dev683243feb/ios
IMG_0939.png
 
No. Apple should not cater to lowest denominator and dumb down the phone. They can use a simpler phone, I would if iPhone or a smart phone is too complicated for my needs at that time. An old Nokia phone with keys is the best phone I owned, it was perfect for calling people.
 
Dumbphones have gotten worse UI as well, unfortunately. A relative recently had to buy a new one, and everything takes many more steps and is less intuitive on current models than it used to.

Another older relative keeps asking me if there isn’t an iPad from Apple that is simpler to use. He liked the original iPad with iOS 5 as its last version. Unfortunately, there isn’t.
 
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As much as I hate Siri, I’ve found observing my dad and uncle who are particularly lacking of tech literacy, they tend to lean a lot on it for basic things like dictation since neither of them are dexterous enough to use a phone keyboard.
 
This made me think smartphones were made intuitive when they were the new thing so adults would learn how to use them. Now, the focus is on increasing the market share among kids, who don't need much explanation and will be future clients. Unfortunately, seniors are not a very important target for manufacturers anymore. Just a thought.
 
I certainly agree with this from my own experience helping older folks with smartphones. Those of us who've been using iPhones for many years have internalised all sorts of invisible swipe gestures and implicit UI structures that are really non-obvious for someone trying to learn how to use a 202x iPhone from scratch.

"How did you know to do that?"
"...I just do"
 
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