Helpful Guide
If a phone has started to feel fiddly, tiring, or too quiet, that does not always mean you need a newer model. In many cases, a few built-in settings can make everyday calls, messages, and photos much easier to manage.
This is especially helpful for independent clients, or for family members trying to make a loved one’s phone feel less frustrating. You do not need to change everything at once. A few small adjustments can make a big difference.
The quickest place to start: make the text bigger, make the icons bigger, and make sure calls and alerts are loud enough to notice. Those three changes solve a lot of day-to-day problems.
Three changes worth trying first
- Increase the text size so messages, menus, and contact names are easier to read.
- Increase the display size or zoom so buttons and icons are less fiddly to tap.
- Check ringtone and notification settings so important calls and messages do not go unnoticed.
You can test each change for a day or two and then decide whether to keep it. There is no need to get everything perfect in one sitting.
Helpful reminder: if you make the text very large, some apps may fit less on the screen at once. That is normal. If it feels too crowded, simply move the slider back a little.
On an iPhone
Apple includes several simple settings that can make an iPhone much easier to use without changing the phone itself.
1. Make text larger
- Open Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size.
- Move the slider until the text feels comfortable.
- If you need more help, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text for bigger options.
2. Make text bolder and the screen easier to read
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Try Bold Text if letters look faint.
- If needed, explore Increase Contrast or other display options that make writing stand out more clearly.
3. Make the whole screen feel larger
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.
- Choose the larger view if buttons and icons feel too small.
4. Add a visual alert as well as a sound
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Flash for Alerts.
- This can make the phone flash when a notification arrives, which is useful if a ringtone is sometimes missed.
Good iPhone combination for many people: Larger Text, Bold Text, Display Zoom, and Flash for Alerts. It keeps things simple without making the phone feel completely different.
On an Android phone
Android phones vary slightly by brand, but the main settings are usually still there. If one menu name looks different on your phone, use the search box in Settings and type the word you need, such as font, display size, or flash notifications.
1. Make the text larger
- Open Settings and search for Font size.
- Move the slider until messages and menus are more comfortable to read.
2. Make icons and buttons larger
- In Settings, search for Display size.
- Increase it a little if icons and on-screen buttons feel too small.
3. Try bold text or stronger contrast if your phone offers it
- Many Android phones include extra readability settings under Accessibility.
- Options can include Bold text, colour adjustments, or other display changes that help words stand out.
4. Turn on flash notifications if sound alone is easy to miss
- Open Settings > Notifications > Flash notifications if your phone offers it, or search flash notifications in Settings.
- You may be able to flash the camera light, the screen, or both when a notification arrives.
Do not forget volume and ringtone settings
A phone can be easy to read and still difficult to live with if calls are too quiet. It is worth checking this separately.
- Turn the ringtone up and test it with a family member if possible.
- Choose a clear ringtone instead of a very soft musical one.
- Check notification volume as well as ringtone volume, because they are sometimes separate.
- Turn vibration on if you are likely to miss a sound in a pocket or handbag.
A few extra changes that often help
- Move the most-used apps onto the first home screen. Phone, Messages, Camera, WhatsApp, and Photos are good examples.
- Remove clutter from the home screen if too many app icons make the phone feel confusing.
- Save important contacts clearly, such as Daughter Jane, GP Surgery, or Taxi, so it is easy to recognise who is calling.
- Use page zoom inside the web browser if websites still look too small even after changing the phone settings.
If you are helping a relative: make one change at a time and test it together. Large sudden changes can make a familiar phone feel unfamiliar, even when the intention is helpful.
A simple 10-minute phone comfort check
- Increase the text size.
- Increase the display size or zoom if needed.
- Turn on bold text or stronger contrast if available.
- Test the ringtone volume.
- Decide whether flash alerts would help.
- Move the most-used apps to the front screen.
That small routine can make a phone feel more manageable straight away, without the cost or stress of replacing it.
When it is worth getting help
If menus keep moving, settings feel overwhelming, or you are trying to set up a phone for an older parent or partner, a calm second pair of eyes can save a lot of frustration. Simply Tech Support can help make phones and tablets easier to use at home, from accessibility settings to app layout and everyday call or message setup.
Helpful sources
- Apple Support: Change the font size on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
- Apple Support: Get LED flash alerts on your iPhone or iPad
- Android Accessibility Help: Change text and display settings
- Android Accessibility Help: Flash notifications
- Google Chrome Help: Change text, image and video sizes on Android
