Samsung Galaxy phones have a hidden gem for anyone who finds a smartphone fiddly: Easy mode. It’s built into the phone, it’s free, and it takes about a minute to switch on.

What Easy mode changes

  • Bigger text and icons on the home screen and in menus.
  • A simpler home screen with fewer, larger shortcuts.
  • A touch-and-hold delay, so brushing the screen doesn’t accidentally open menus or move icons.
  • A high-contrast keyboard that’s easier to see.
  • Fewer advanced extras, such as the Edge panel that can pop out from the side of the screen.

Plain talk: touch and hold

Touch and hold means pressing your finger on the screen and keeping it there for a moment, instead of a quick tap. It usually opens extra options. Easy mode makes you hold a little longer, so it doesn’t happen by accident.

Before you switch it on

When Easy mode starts, your current home screen layout is replaced with the simpler one. Your apps, photos and contacts aren’t touched, but icons you arranged may move.

Try this

Take a screenshot of the home screen first (press the side button and volume down together). Then you can see where everything was if you ever want to go back.

How to turn on Easy mode

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon).
  2. Tap Display.
  3. Tap Easy mode.
  4. Tap the switch to turn it on.
  5. If you’re offered options, such as the touch-and-hold delay or high-contrast keyboard, choose what suits you.

To turn it off later, follow the same steps and switch it off.

The exact words may be a little different depending on your phone’s model and software. If you can’t find it, open Settings, tap the magnifying glass and type Easy mode.

Make text even bigger

If the text still feels small in Easy mode:

  1. Open Settings and tap Display.
  2. Tap Font size and style.
  3. Drag the Font size slider to the right.
  4. You can also turn on Bold font.

For stronger contrast, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Vision enhancements, and turn on High contrast fonts.

Don’t forget scam protection

A simpler phone is a great start. While you’re in Settings, also switch on Samsung’s spam and scam call blocking. Our step-by-step guide shows how: How to stop spam calls on Android.

Safety tip

Setting up a phone for a parent? Do it together, and explain each change. People are far more comfortable with a phone they helped set up. Our one-afternoon setup checklist walks you through the rest.

Your Android Phone, Plainly Explained covers Easy mode, simple buttons and every other way to make a Galaxy or Pixel phone easier to see and hear.