Scary Smartphones

I am well-versed using my computer and tablet and online banking. But . . . my bank has now issued credit cards that can only be used with a smart phone, basically forcing me to use that. The world is turning to everything digital, soon we will not be using cash as a method of payment anymore. I am still a staunch supporter of the old fashioned land line. Both hubby and I have (second hand) Fairphones. The advantage is that one can replace every part, should it be needed, instead of being forced to buy a new one, like a samsung.

I am in my mid seventies and I reckon I am now pretty tech savvy. But when I first got an iPhone and was struggling the best piece of advice I was given was ‘ if you’re stuck just google what you want to do or whatever problem you’re having and there will always be advice on how to proceed.’ And there is -often on YouTube with a real person to talk you through it and show you precisely what to do.
Go for it - you’ll be more than competent in no time!

I don’t know why I pay every month for my phone ( which I only use to make the odd call)! I’ve got such a lot to learn. I showed my iPad to my grandson yesterday and he did I had no end of stuff on it that needs deleting!

We get our mobile signal via the Internet.

Our bit of our village has poor reception and our house has granite walls so the only place we get a reasonable phone signal is in the corner of one of the spare rooms or the middle of the road.

We were advised to use VPN (I think) which allows the Internet to carry the mobile signal to our phones.

Maybe not a technically precise description.

Not sure what you mean Maybee smartphones work over wifi?

Do you have to pay line rental for Apple iPhones. I have to pay a few pounds a month for the phone I have.

Buy an Apple phone and register for one or more of their free learning sessions in store.

Back this up with a copy of 'I phones for Dummies' books. In fact buy it in advance so that you can remind yourself as soon as you get back from a learning session.

Start with the things that you know you will use the most and work from there.

Take your time and eventually most things will become intuitive.

I've had a smartphone (android for the first 3 years) for about 10 years and am still learning!

If you can use a laptop or ipad than you can use a smart phone.

You don't have to have local youngsters if your peer group have users as they can help you.

An extremely powerful computer in your pocket and you will only use a tiny fraction of it's capabilities. Get one, play with it, use it but above do not be scared of it.

My son talked me into getting an iphone & I will never willingly go back to android! I am lucky my son sets new mobiles up for me & solves any problems I have. My ipad is getting old & will not install upgrades as not enough space. Only came with basic so will save the pennies till I can afford a new one!

You will be fine. I rarely use my Chromebook now as I can do everything on my phone as it's just a mini computer. I understand where you're coming from though.. Is there anyone that's savvy can go with you to get one? I always take my eldest daughter as she's very tech savvy wheas my youngest??!😅 Good luck nothing to be scared of but I do understand...neew and unfamiliar is daunting and scary..

OP: ask your local library, s citizen's advice and senior citizens' clubs if any or all of them gave a group of volunteers who help those of us who are a bit lost with modern tecnology.
If there aren't any groups, try and find a teenager or young adult who can help you get started.

I found my iPhone easy to get used to. I only got it because my son recommended it when my old phone broke, but I didn’t need much teaching on how to use it. It’s pretty intuitive.

The customer service in the Apple shops is unusually good – they would definitely show you anything you needed to know. They run learning sessions for beginners.

There is a book called iPhone for Seniors Made Simple that you could buy.
amzn.eu/d/0te9rg4

MOnica
I assume that there are no longer classes because they assume that most people progressed on what was called a dumb phone to a smart phone about 20 years ago.
Everyone born at that time would ( imo) be already wired to use a smart phone.

This is an example of how useful Gransnet can be! I've had an iphone for many years but never thought to look for a user guide on line (sounds stupid I know) and never thought that I could connect it to the printer - should keep me occupied for a good while!

Why do they no loger run courses to teach you how to use thing? Not everyone has accessible grandchildren and even they do not know everything.

I have always preferred to learn things in a structured way, buikding my knowledge of a subject - or device brick by brick as I build the edifice. When I was at work we automatically got sent on a course when new devics and softwar were introduced.

In my case the whole thing is complicated by neural diversity, which makes, for example, a mobile phone very difficult to use.

I have seen mobiles for 'seniors that have large buttons icons etc. ideal for someone with dyspraxia, but they all have limited funtionality, no satnav, google or email.

i bought my first smart phone from O2 and haven't looked back!
i'm now using my 4th or maybe 5th and they've been samsung.
i bought a samsung tablet too and, apart from not making calls on my tablet, they're interchangeable.
i use my phone to shop online - amazon is mt favourite - and i also bank online using my bank's app.
i email using gmail and i can check the weather and temperature using apps. i've lost count of how many apps i've got but i've got apps for shops, games, news (bbc) and even checking to see what planes are flying over my house (i live near an airport).
don't be scared - it's a tool and it's actually like a handheld computer. as long as you've got antivirus installed i wouldn't worry too much about security - i don't.
good luck - i hope you find what you want.

My brother was very into techy stuff so I learnt from him which phone and tablet to get. I was exactly the same as you, confused and scared, please don’t be as I wouldn’t like to be without my IPhone now. He’s always recommended Apple because it updates itself regularly with anti virus software which is free and I don’t have to worry about it. I did have a Samsung phone before but just couldn’t get on with it. Apple do classes anytime for anyone so do most libraries and my brother always said either google it or look on YouTube re your problem. It’s easy and I don’t say that lightly being a technophobe! Also Apple have an App of their own on the phone and that always help if your stuck.

If you use a laptop already, it’s just a smaller version of that, So as your grandchildren said it should be instinctive. It’s also a good call to get the same user system as you’re using already as others have said already

One thing I would recommend is to forget about the "very pretty" case and get one that really protects your phone if you drop it. I've got one that protects both the screen and the back, and has reinforced corners, and although I have only dropped it once onto a hard floor, i'm sure it was the case that saved it. It looks quite good too.

I have a smartphone, the first thing I did was remove all the apps I didn't want, you can either disable them or delete them altogether. Then you won't be bombarded with a lot of stuff you don't need or want.

I tend to go with Tesco Mobile, I have found they are very reliable and if you go into one of their stores they will help and explain everything you need to know. Their customer service is great too. In fact when I have bought a new phone I just give them the old phone and they will do it all for you.

Good Luck.

I'm pretty old but do love my smartphone and can do lots on it.
However this is only because I have two sons who guide me, teach me and keep an eye on me. So I hope you also have this kind of support, even though they don't live nearby. Good luck. Once you've mastered it you will love it.

I do everything on my iPhone, if I haven’t got the iPad on me, but you need to learn how. Google is your friend,👍

The only think I ll add is a an android and an iPhone are different and can be confusing if you’re used to one and use another I use an iPhone myself and at work I need to look up stuff or do eBay on an android and it’s like chalk and cheese and I really have to use the grey matter
I have an iPhone and an iPad and love them both

There is always the option of buying an unlocked used phone - one that you can just add a cheap SIM card to from the provider of your choice. As GNW says, Lebara is cheap. It's a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses O2's network.

The upside of younger people's obsession with having the latest phones there are tons of used and reconditioned phones on the market.

I am confident using email and QR codes and other "usual" stuff but I do prefer my emails on the laptop as I can use a real keyboard to type.

My mother-in-law (100) had hers gifted to her about 3 years ago specifically because she wanted to send photos whilst out and about. Shd wanted to email photos of her garden, pretty gardens she visited and the local (lovely) park to her sister (who was very ill).
Since her sister died she has moved back onto the laptop for emails. She uses it for the taxi company (which shows her the vehicle coming to her), for phone calls and text messages (which she didn't use on her other, old style mobile).

She does have to charge it up more though!

I love my Samsung. I suggest you don't just automatically buy what your husband has. Find one that is right for you.

I am very rough with mine. It has been trodden on, dropped downstairs (many times) dropped into a puddle, batted away accidentally because I was gesticulating wildly, fallen off the roof of the car as I drove off...

For me an industrial case (which does add a lot of weight) and a screen protector is a must! I wouldn't buy pretty as I know I won't get the protection.