A new phone can be a wonderful gift, or a source of frustration that ends up in a drawer. The difference is usually the setup. AARP’s research has found that many adults over 50 feel technology isn’t designed with them in mind. An afternoon spent setting the phone up with your parent, not just for them, changes that.

Work through this checklist together. Each step takes a few minutes.

Before you start

  • Charge the phone and connect to home Wi-Fi.
  • Have their Apple Account or Google Account email and password ready, or create one together and write the details on a card kept safely at home.
  • Bring a notepad for the cheat sheet at the end.

The checklist

1. Update the software

  • iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update. Turn on Automatic Updates.
  • Android: Settings, then search Software update.

Updates fix security holes that scammers use.

2. Make it easy to see and hear

  • Make the text bigger and bold. See 6 settings for iPhone. On Android, search Settings for Font size.
  • Turn the ringtone volume up and choose a clear, distinct ringtone.
  • If a full smartphone is too much, try Assistive Access on iPhone or Easy mode on Samsung.

3. Add the people who matter

  • Add family, close friends, the doctor, pharmacy and a neighbor to Contacts, with a photo for each where you can. Faces are easier than names.
  • Add the most-called people as Favorites in the Phone app.

4. Set up emergency features

  • iPhone: open the Health app, set up Medical ID, and add emergency contacts. Check Emergency SOS in Settings.
  • Android: search Settings for Safety & emergency or Emergency information, and add emergency contacts and medical information.

Only add the medical details your parent is happy to share. Medical information can be seen from the lock screen by first responders.

5. Switch on scam protection

  • Calls: on iPhone, set Screen Unknown Callers to Ask Reason for Calling (how). On Pixel, turn on Call Screen; on Samsung, Caller ID and spam protection (how).
  • Texts: on iPhone, keep Screen Unknown Senders on and show them where the Unknown Senders list is. On Android, turn on the spam filter in the Messages app’s settings.
  • Family safe word: agree one today. Here’s how.

6. Choose a passcode they’ll remember

A 6-digit passcode they can remember, plus Face ID or a fingerprint for everyday unlocking. Write the passcode on a card kept at home, not in the phone case or wallet.

7. Protect the account

  • Turn on two-step verification for their Apple or Google account.
  • iPhone: add yourself as an Account Recovery Contact (Settings > their name > Sign-In & Security > Account Recovery) and consider a Legacy Contact.
  • Android: add a recovery phone number and email in the Google Account security settings.

8. Back up photos and contacts

  • iPhone: Settings > their name > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and turn it on.
  • Android: search Settings for Backup and turn on Google backup. Set up Google Photos backup.

9. Turn on Find My or Find Hub

  • iPhone: Settings > their name > Find My > Find My iPhone.
  • Android: search Settings for Find Hub (previously called Find My Device).

Location sharing with family is a separate choice. Only turn it on if your parent agrees.

10. Tidy the Home Screen

Put the six apps they’ll use most on the first screen: Phone, Messages, Camera, Photos, and two favorites such as FaceTime or WhatsApp and the weather. Move or remove the rest.

11. Practice remote help

Make a video call and practice screen sharing, so you can see their screen next time they’re stuck. On iPhone, start a FaceTime call, tap the share button at the top of the call and choose Share My Screen. The exact button can vary between iOS versions.

12. Write a one-page cheat sheet

In large print: how to unlock, answer and end a call, call a favorite, find photos, and who to call for help. Stick it on the fridge. Our free Scam-Stopper Kit includes wallet cards and a trusted-numbers sheet to go with it.

Try this

End the afternoon by having your parent do each thing themselves, while you watch: call you, text you a photo, and turn the volume up. Doing is remembering.

Safety tip

Tell your parent plainly: “No real company will ever ask for a code sent to your phone, your passwords, or payment in gift cards. If anyone does, hang up and call me.”

Our books Your iPhone and Your Android Phone make great companions to this setup, and Scam-Proof includes a family plan you can fill in together.