iPhone SE (2022) I spent the day trying to teach seniors how to use an iPhone and it was a nightmare.

[SebCohen]

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.

Its actually quite a struggle getting my parents, who are semi-proficient with tech, to use their iPhones as they should/could. And they’ve had all iPhones since 5. My mother wouldn’t know iCloud from a raincloud. My dad is just annoyed at all the constant changes. They don’t WANT to spend more time on their phones. They don’t enjoy screentime. We should all be them!

And honestly, I’m getting tech-tired as well. Perhaps it’s being the family IT-guy for years. But I see diminishing returns for me as well. I WANT TO SPEND less time on my screens. I want my phone to be like my dishwasher. And not a balsawood model I need to rebuild every day to use as intended.

Apple would greatly benefit from using more resources on usability…and not candyfloss looking icons.

 

[SebCohen]

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.

THIS is what you need.

 

[MarkX]

You denigrate users with simpler needs:
"...but still have the Pro Max when the regular iPhone would do!"

You apparently fail to grasp that
• Many users need the Pro Max for vision reasons. I am one of those.
• Any user may prefer the superior photo captures that the Pro models facilitate. I am also one of those.

The i7 PM three "fusion" camera system really is a substantially improved camera system for all. The only reasons anyone who does any iPhone photography should not buy the Pro iPhones would be because of cost, or because the thin/light/cutesy of the iPhone Air is more important than image capture to them.

Of course if you want the superior camera system and take many pics then the 17 pro or max may make more sense!

My point was that many users simply buy the max as it’s the biggest and best not because they need it. As for vision reasons, out of the box the text size on both the pro and the pro max is the same size, only the max gives a few extra lines of text on a page. So what’s the benefit of the max in that instance? Serious question.

 

[RaphaZ]

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 agree. At least in societies where people are not so used to these changes, smartphones are becoming a nightmare. iPhones have much more key functions comparing 10 years ago. In this point of view, computers have become a much more solid platform for them to work with, as home banking, word processor, Facebook, etc.

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?

I also find this idea of having just dumber phones to elder people a bad solution, because those people want the good stuff of smartphones, like talking trough WhatsApp, making video calls, etc. I work with senior community (+65-90) and I would say it is a 50%-50% world: 50% know how to act with technology; 50% struggle.

It won't be a particular problem for major companies, because younger communities are "native" in these "smart" ecosystems. So I actually think that they simply don't and won't care.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

Great song in your signature. So many versions of it too! I like the one where she's doing a studio version, and talking before and after the song.

Back on topic

 

[McScooby]

Skeuomorphism had, & still has its place especially for seniors.

 

[adrianlondon]

My worry with my parents isn't that the OS confuses them (I can guide them through it and they learn from then onwards) but the sophistication of scams.

They're fine with emails, but a couple of years ago a fake sms purporting to be from a family member wanting money almost got away with it, until the sender's bank blocked it. This is thanks to a relatively new UK regulation that (finally) matches the account number and name given on the transfer to the actual name/owner of the account.

With AI faking voices and soon videos, I unfortunately need to teach them to be less trusting. Basically, unless you can physically see and touch us (me and my brother) and we have a good explanation, we don't need their money 😁

 

[stanza.richi]

I reached pace of mind when I give my 8 plus to my mum and gifted an XS as retirement present to my father. Both > 65 y.o.

Android was, compared to iOS, a real pain in the a*s 😅

 

[Unami]

Honestly, I think Apple really needs to simplify the iPhone for the elderly.

It's been a long time since "iPhones are intuitive" and "It just works". There used to be the saying - around the time of the 4s-6s - to just give people an iPhone and let them figure it out themselves. That unique selling point is gone. I know that these phones have gained a lot of complexity, but still. Why is it that you have to know "invisible" things before you use it? Who would figure out on his own that swiping down from the top-middle of the screen produces notification center but from the top right, you get control center. Sure, they added an underline on the right, but who would figure out on his own that this means "swipe me down, and if you swipe me down, it's different than swiping down 5mm to the left"? I regularly show people that they get to the task manager by swiping up, holding for a split second and then releasing - contrary to just releasing it to get to the home screen. Because they don't know, they just don't use the task manager since losing the button. Or, I've never seen anyone use those copy/paste/undo/redo gestures in the wild. Sure, they've tried to add a little more discoverability back, e.g. the search button instead of swiping down in the middle of the screen, that, again, no normal user knew. But at the same time, they hide other essential functions, like tab managing in safari and make that at least more cumbersome to use. Again, mobile OS have matured and a lot things are now conventions - but otoh, every good videogame-UI manages to explain complexity to the user, starting with simple analog-stick movement, and keeps giving hints to users about functions they don't use often but might need at a particular moment. With iOS, imho, there's massive room for improvement there.

 

[boswald]

Its actually quite a struggle getting my parents, who are semi-proficient with tech, to use their iPhones as they should/could. And they’ve had all iPhones since 5. My mother wouldn’t know iCloud from a raincloud. My dad is just annoyed at all the constant changes. They don’t WANT to spend more time on their phones. They don’t enjoy screentime. We should all be them!

And honestly, I’m getting tech-tired as well. Perhaps it’s being the family IT-guy for years. But I see diminishing returns for me as well. I WANT TO SPEND less time on my screens. I want my phone to be like my dishwasher. And not a balsawood model I need to rebuild every day to use as intended.

Apple would greatly benefit from using more resources on usability…and not candyfloss looking icons.

I think there will be a “tech renaissance” of some kind where it will go backwards. I think people are starting to get tired and want to reconnect like they used to. Especially in the Age of AI.

 

[ayephoner]

I was looking for this phone, which only has pictures for buttons. We had the land-line version for my dad for a little while. It worked as intended, he just didn't always get it.

Easyfone T6 4G Picture Button Cell Phone for Seniors and Kids | Easy-to-Use | Clear Sound | Easy Charging Dock | SOS Button | SIM Card Included | Good for Dementia, Alzheimer's and Kids (T6 Black)

Easyfone T6 4G Picture Button Cell Phone for Seniors and Kids | Easy-to-Use | Clear Sound | Easy Charging Dock | SOS Button | SIM Card Included | Good for Dementia, Alzheimer's and Kids

www.amazon.com

But google showed this result. It looks better than the phone my dad has that I posted on a previous page.

Memory Cell Phone for Seniors with Memory Loss (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile network compatible) | Shop | RAZ Mobility

Easy-to-use picture phone for people with memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke, low vision, Parkinson’s, or seniors who prefer a simple experience. One-touch dial phone with one primary screen. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile network compatible.

www.razmobility.com

 

[MilaM]

In my experience the worst problem with the usability of modern tech these days are the never ending requests to authenticate apps and services. My mother is doing quite well using iPhones and Macs. But as soon as she gets logged out somewhere, she's lost and has to call for help.

 

[Nada Ting]

Sounds like they need a better teacher.

 

[Clix Pix]

I am 80 and use iPhones, iPads and Macs..... I had the very first iPhone, which I adored. It offered things that my old Samsung or whatever dumb phone it was back then didn't. As time went on, though, the technology changed and the features and functionality changed and now I find it frustrating. I'm at a stage of life where I don't need all the bells and whistles and AI and whatnot. I just need and want a few basic features and functionality but I also want a couple of those bells and whistles, too. It's frustrating at times!

 

[MarkX]

It's been a long time since "iPhones are intuitive" and "It just works". There used to be the saying - around the time of the 4s-6s - to just give people an iPhone and let them figure it out themselves. That unique selling point is gone. I know that these phones have gained a lot of complexity, but still. Why is it that you have to know "invisible" things before you use it? Who would figure out on his own that swiping down from the top-middle of the screen produces notification center but from the top right, you get control center. Sure, they added an underline on the right, but who would figure out on his own that this means "swipe me down, and if you swipe me down, it's different than swiping down 5mm to the left"? I regularly show people that they get to the task manager by swiping up, holding for a split second and then releasing - contrary to just releasing it to get to the home screen. Because they don't know, they just don't use the task manager since losing the button. Or, I've never seen anyone use those copy/paste/undo/redo gestures in the wild. Sure, they've tried to add a little more discoverability back, e.g. the search button instead of swiping down in the middle of the screen, that, again, no normal user knew. But at the same time, they hide other essential functions, like tab managing in safari and make that at least more cumbersome to use. Again, mobile OS have matured and a lot things are now conventions - but otoh, every good videogame-UI manages to explain complexity to the user, starting with simple analog-stick movement, and keeps giving hints to users about functions they don't use often but might need at a particular moment. With iOS, imho, there's massive room for improvement there.

Paragraphs please ma man

 

[turbineseaplane]

It's really sad that Apple has pretty much abandoned caring specifically for the needs of older users.

Their only real effort towards it, Assistive Access, is a disaster that is gimped and lacks testing and polish and needed optionality and affordances.

It'd be amazing if they were tacking REAL issues like this, as opposed to spending all their energy making the UI semi transparent.

🤬

 

[Yr Blues]

Agreed. I gave up trying to teach my parents. You have to be constantly aware of every minute detail that's going on and be extremely flexible with problem solving. Making a phone call is difficult and unintuitive. The interface is so liquid and sensitive. It's easy for us that grew with technology.

 

[timborama]

iOS is not as simple as is used to be. Maze of settings that are not intuitive. Accessibility seems to be catch all for everything.

 

[SebCohen]

I am 80 and use iPhones, iPads and Macs..... I had the very first iPhone, which I adored. It offered things that my old Samsung or whatever dumb phone it was back then didn't. As time went on, though, the technology changed and the features and functionality changed and now I find it frustrating. I'm at a stage of life where I don't need all the bells and whistles and AI and whatnot. I just need and want a few basic features and functionality but I also want a couple of those bells and whistles, too. It's frustrating at times!

Most people won’t ever use those bells & whistles…..and most don’t even need them. And most people in here doesn’t even have a fantastic overview of all the functions. Soooo… relax. 🖖