Setting Up a New iPhone for a Parent: A Simple Checklist

Written by The Golden Age Team

A new iPhone can help a parent stay close to family, keep up with doctors, and feel more independent. But a phone straight out of the box is not set up for older eyes, ears, or habits. Here is a checklist adult children can follow, or hand to us.

Before you start

Charge both phones and have them side by side.
Know the Apple ID email and password. This is the most common place setup gets stuck. If nobody knows it, plan time to recover it.
Connect to home Wi-Fi. Have the Wi-Fi password ready.

Step 1: Move everything over

If they are coming from an older iPhone, use Quick Start: put the new phone near the old one and follow the prompts. Contacts, photos, and messages come along. If they had an Android phone, Apple's Move to iOS app can help.

Step 2: Make it easier to see

In Settings, go to Display & Brightness and turn up Text Size and Bold Text. You can also try Display Zoom for bigger buttons.

Step 3: Make it easier to hear

Turn up the ringer, pick a loud ringtone, and consider turning on LED Flash for Alerts in the Accessibility settings. If they wear Bluetooth hearing aids, pair them in Accessibility, then Hearing Devices.

Step 4: Keep the home screen simple

Put the five or six apps they use most on the first screen: Phone, Messages, FaceTime, Photos, Camera, and maybe their health app. Move the rest out of sight.

Step 5: Set up safety features

Medical ID in the Health app, so first responders can see key info
Emergency contacts
Silence Unknown Callers if scam calls are a problem (calls from people in their contacts still ring)
Find My, so the family can help find a lost phone

Step 6: Practice together

Have them make a call, send a text, take a photo, and do a FaceTime call with you. Write the steps on a card. Repeat it more than once.

Want a hand?

If you do not live nearby or just want it done right, Golden Age Tech Support sets up iPhones for seniors in their homes across the Denver area. If your parent wants that, we can keep you in the loop. Call or text (303) 276-7623, or request a visit. Related: iPhone and iPad Help for Seniors.