Android smartphones supply many helpful options, however some older individuals would possibly discover them troublesome to make use of. Nonetheless, with just a few suggestions and methods, you can also make these units extra senior-friendly. From rising textual content dimension to utilizing navigation buttons, listed here are some tricks to make Android telephones simpler for seniors to make use of.
Enhance textual content dimension
Many senior residents battle to learn textual content on smartphones. To assist, you may enhance the textual content dimension and enlarge UI components like buttons. On an Android telephone, open the Settings app, go to ‘Show,’ then faucet ‘Show dimension and textual content.’
For individuals who nonetheless discover it arduous to see what’s on the display screen, you may strive making every thing daring or allow excessive distinction mode, which makes textual content clearer.
Use third-party launchers
Senior residents are sometimes overwhelmed by the variety of icons, widgets and different components on the house display screen.
To simplify issues for them, you may take into account third-party launchers like BIG Launcher or Elder Launcher, which supply a tile-based interface for straightforward navigation. Alternatively, you may also strive minimalistic launchers, which aren’t designed for the aged however make it simple for customers to seek out and use the apps they need.
Use button navigation
Google’s gesture-based navigation is likely to be intuitive, however many seniors discover it arduous to swipe by their smartphone to carry out duties like going to the house display screen, opening the current app display screen or utilizing the again gesture.
To assist, strive switching to the old style button-based navigation. To do that, open the ‘Settings’ app in your telephone and head over to ‘System’. Now, faucet on ‘Gestures’ and select the ‘3-button navigation’ choice. On some telephones, you may also use ‘2-button navigation’.
Enlarge the keyboard
One other efficient approach to make Android telephones simpler for senior residents is by enlarging the keyboard buttons. This not solely helps them press the right buttons however can even assist scale back eye pressure for these with imaginative and prescient difficulties.
Most Android units use Gboard because the default keyboard app. To resize the keyboard, open it and faucet the four-dot button on the left aspect of the highest bar. Then, faucet on ‘Resize’ and alter the peak of the keyboard to a cushty dimension. Faucet the tick button to avoid wasting the adjustments.
Use the ‘Direct dial’ contacts widget
In case your grandparents discover it troublesome to seek for contacts on Android, you may simplify calling by establishing the Direct dial widget. This widget permits them to name somebody with only one press.
To set it up, lengthy press on the house display screen and choose ‘Widgets’. Seek for ‘contacts’ or scroll down to seek out the Direct dial widget. Maintain and drag it to the house display screen. Select the contact you need to create a shortcut for when prompted. Place the widget on part of the display screen much less susceptible to unintentional touches.
One factor to notice right here is that tapping on the shortcut will instantly name the quantity with none warning, so ensure you place it on part of the display screen that’s much less vulnerable to unintentional touches.