Do you want to teach your (grand)parent how to use an Android smartphone, but is the software too complicated? Then try these three tips to make the phone senior-proof.
Make your Android smartphone senior-proof
Anyone who understands anything about modern telephones is quickly seen as a smartphone specialist at home. Seniors are often less likely to do this, so with these tips you will help your (grand)parent a long way. This way they too can make mobile phone calls, text messages and take photos, without all the fuss of a modern smartphone.
Tip 1. Set text size and formatting
Starting with the text settings of your smartphone itself. These are often easy to adjust in size and layout. Do you have a Samsung? Then open the settings app and go to ‘Display’. Here you see the heading ‘text size and formatting’. Click on it and adjust the size with the slider at the bottom of the screen.
Does your (grand)parent use an Android phone from another brand? Then it often works about the same. For example, on Google Pixels the setting is called “Font Size.” Here too you change the setting with a slider. You can also increase the size of icons on your smartphone here, which makes it easier to operate.
Tip 2. Accessibility
The accessibility menu is for users who have limited use of their phone. What you can adjust in this menu varies per phone brand, but you will often see at least the following settings:
Increased contrast: useful for those who have visual impairments. This changes the design of your smartphone to a style with maximum contrast. This ensures that texts are easier to read and buttons are more clearly distinguishable from the background.
TalkBack: Those who cannot clearly read the text on the screen can enable this option. The phone reads text on the screen. A frame will appear around the text while you hear what is on the screen. This way you can navigate through your phone even with poor visibility.
Accessibility pop-up menu: some manufacturers let you set up a pop-up menu with various accessibility options, including adjusting the volume or locking the screen. This is especially useful if your (grand)parent has difficulty operating the physical buttons. You’ll find this menu in the Settings app as ‘Accessibility Menu’.
Want to know more about accessibility settings on Android? Then read our extensive explanation article.
Tip 3. Install Seniors launcher
Then there is the BIG Launchercreated to make smartphones more accessible to seniors or visually impaired people. The launcher essentially replaces the standard software shell on your smartphone. You simply install it in the Google Play Store.
BIG Launcher – nederlands
BIG Launcher
Once installed, choose the correct language and layout. Icons become larger and apps are easier to select. You choose which applications you do and do not want to show, so that the user does not end up in unwanted or complicated apps.
Make sure that the previously mentioned text size and formatting are also set correctly. Otherwise, the difference between the large icons in the BIG Launcher and the small letters in WhatsApp, for example, is quite significant.
Please note: Some BIG Launcher features may not be available in the free version. For this you have to purchase the paid version once for about 17 euros. We recommend this, provided the software works for your (grand)parent of course. The launcher is still regularly updated, which is nice in terms of digital security.
Does the Android phone remain too complicated? Then consider a senior smartphone like the Senifone S1. This device has been specially developed for the elderly.
More Android tips
Source: www.androidplanet.nl
