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Clever iPhone feature lets you simplify the device for your elderly relatives Credits: Social Media
By Ellissa Bain

Clever iPhone feature lets you simplify the device for your elderly relatives

By Ellissa Bain

Whether its a grandad, nanny, aunty, dad, everyone has an elderly relative thats rubbish with technology – especially iPhones.

The touch screen, apps and small keyboard are difficult for the older generation to grasp, but we still want to keep in contact with them via text, FaceTime and calls. Thankfully, theres a solution.

Granddaughter helping grandmother to use the mobile phone at home
Granddaughter helping grandmother to use the mobile phone at home. Credit: FG Trade (Getty Images)

Simplify an iPhone

Did you know, Apple has a feature that simplifies the iPhone to a really basic level. Its called Assistive Access, and it lets you choose which features you want to appear on the phone, while hiding everything else.

That means you can set up and personalize the phone with just the things your elderly relative needs, like Calls, Messages, Camera, Photos and FaceTime. They all display as huge icons on the screen, making the whole iOS system really easy to use.

Assistive Access is a distinctive iOS experience that makes it easier for people with cognitive disabilities to use iPhone independently, Apple says. Items onscreen are bigger, features are more focused, and its easier to navigate and understand what actions are possible.

The feature launched with iOS 17 in September 2023, but many still dont know it exists. It can be turned on in the Settings on any iPhone that can run iOS 17, including the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, SE, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Its gone viral on TikTok this week after the technology tips account Scooch shared a video of himself setting up the feature, which he said makes the phone super easy for anyone who struggles with technology to use.

Such an awesome feature for older people or those with impaired vision, one person commented.

Another agreed: I wish this was available years ago for my grandmother. She wouldve loved having an iPhone.

@scooch

If you have someone in your life that struggles with technology you NEED to know this!!

♬ original sound – Scooch

How to turn on Assistive Access

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Click Accessibility
  3. Tap Assistive Access
  4. Press Continue

After that, you will need to sign into an Apple ID. Then, you will be asked to choose a layout. There are two different options, Rows which displays items in a readable list and “Grid” which emphasizes images and icons.

On the next screen, you can customize the apps you want to be shown, choose a passcode and set up Face ID. To exit Assistive Access at any time, all you have to do is triple click the side button and enter the passcode.