Dec 26, 2020
By: Shaurya ShubhamMost grandparents are not comfortable with smartphones and may find the interface complex. Making a few changes in settings and apps can help simplify things.
Make the interface easy to use and read. Enabling the easy mode will help. Some smartphones come with Easy Mode. For those that don’t, third-party options are available.
Making text size big solves big issue for elderly and also for those with weak eyesight. The option can be found inside Settings -> Display -> Text Size.
Screen zoom feature increases the size of the user interface. To support this, it is important to increase Screen zoom, but don’t over do it as it may chop text and some apps may not be optimised.
Arrange the home screen with apps and features they use frequently. For example: if someone uses WhatsApp or Camera more, then ensure they are the first thing they see on homescreen.
This is where things get a little complicated. Selecting the right keyboard that offers some level of customisation is necessary. For example, you can make the keyboard bigger and wider.
Gesture navigation is nice and is good for one-hand usage. But this may not be with elderly. The old navigation buttons may come handy as it offers better and clear indications.
Most smartphones come with English as default language, but they offer other regional languages. Based on requirement, change language of the phone along with keyboard’s.
Elderly people may have problem remembering passcodes or those complex zig-zag pattern design. Adding biometric unlock can make things easier.
This is not for them, it is for you. TeamViewer will allow you to see the phone on another devices remotely.