Scary Smartphones

My smartphone, my laptop and tablet are all on Android so can share things like email and most other apps. This was useful at Christmas when I'd left the phone at home, though taken my laptop with me to my son's home forty miles away. The point of this anecdote is that if the OS is Android or Apple, it's sensible to share between devices.
One of the apps I use most often on my smartphone is the NHS on which I can order prescriptions without having to ring up my usually inaccessible local surgery. I can also find the results of tests and find the dates and times of appointments. The mobile banking app is so much easier to use than the more 'unwieldy' one on the laptop, though the data saved are the same. It's equally secure, of course.

Allalongagatha

Your laptop is your friend here. If you want to know anything just ask google. ‘How do I accesses email from my smartphone?’. There are quite clear explanations on how to do things. Also YouTube videos for visual step by step guides.

But they do not provide any help for those of us whose problems are caused by neural diversity.

Your laptop is your friend here. If you want to know anything just ask google. ‘How do I accesses email from my smartphone?’. There are quite clear explanations on how to do things. Also YouTube videos for visual step by step guides.

Missedout

*Retroladywriting*, give yourself a pat on the back. You've managed some of the most difficult things. It's no mean feat to set up your email account, adding your password and passing the security tests.

I volunteer for IT Support at our local library and have helped many to set up their phones. I have the following advice to offer:-

As you recognise the need for new apps, ensure that you download them from the Google Playstore (it will already be installed on your Android phone). Do not trust any apps that you download via web pages. Ensure that you are using strong passwords and don't reuse any. If you have set up finger-print/facial recognition, you can let your phone remember your passwords for you (although you may need to keep an accurate record if you are accessing the same accounts on your laptop). You may be offered the use of Passkeys too - your phone is your password - no-one else can pick up your phone and use it.

You can download a QR code reader from the Playstore too (I have QR Droid on mine). As soon as you open the installed QR reader app, you will see the camera is looking for the QR code. Just hold the lens so it can read the code and the link will pop on to your phone. You just have to click the link to be taken to a web site. As someone above has pointed out - be wary.

One of the other questions I'm most frequently asked is about WiFi and mobile data. With your new mobile phone, you can sign into your home WiFi network and use that freely (add your WiFi password to your phone using the 'Settings'- gearwheels icon). When you are away from the house, your WiFi will not be available and you will need to turn on Mobile Data (which you pay for as part of your contract). You can make and receive phone calls without mobile data and exchange short text messages but you won't be able to read or write emails etc. Mobile Data is sent over your network providers phone network and is much more secure than using public WiFi networks.

Enjoy your new phone.

Thank you MissedOut - that's all really useful particularly the bit about QR codes, which I haven't done yet. I've downloaded some, hopefully useful, apps, including a Steps counter, WhatApp (which apparently 'everybody' uses now, changed my out of date contract to a cheaper and better one, and taken and shared photos. Slowly finding my way around the rest ...

I seem to be the opposite of most on here. I love smartphones, I have had one for years, but struggle to use them because of my neural diversity.

My ideal smartphone would have a screen like those dumbed down ones for 'seniors', Only about 3 or 4 large icons on the screen at a time, but with full smart phone functionality behind it, rather than just limited functions.

Ask them to put the phone in ' easy mode' if they still have this function. The chap in the shop did this at my relative's request. Like you I was terrified but smartphones are sadly such a part of life now, even to go to the theatre. I still hate Apps.

Retroladywriting, give yourself a pat on the back. You've managed some of the most difficult things. It's no mean feat to set up your email account, adding your password and passing the security tests.

I volunteer for IT Support at our local library and have helped many to set up their phones. I have the following advice to offer:-

As you recognise the need for new apps, ensure that you download them from the Google Playstore (it will already be installed on your Android phone). Do not trust any apps that you download via web pages. Ensure that you are using strong passwords and don't reuse any. If you have set up finger-print/facial recognition, you can let your phone remember your passwords for you (although you may need to keep an accurate record if you are accessing the same accounts on your laptop). You may be offered the use of Passkeys too - your phone is your password - no-one else can pick up your phone and use it.

You can download a QR code reader from the Playstore too (I have QR Droid on mine). As soon as you open the installed QR reader app, you will see the camera is looking for the QR code. Just hold the lens so it can read the code and the link will pop on to your phone. You just have to click the link to be taken to a web site. As someone above has pointed out - be wary.

One of the other questions I'm most frequently asked is about WiFi and mobile data. With your new mobile phone, you can sign into your home WiFi network and use that freely (add your WiFi password to your phone using the 'Settings'- gearwheels icon). When you are away from the house, your WiFi will not be available and you will need to turn on Mobile Data (which you pay for as part of your contract). You can make and receive phone calls without mobile data and exchange short text messages but you won't be able to read or write emails etc. Mobile Data is sent over your network providers phone network and is much more secure than using public WiFi networks.

Enjoy your new phone.

First you need to decide on Apple or android and take it from there . Quite a lot will be pre installed for you. YouTube is very helpful too . You can find out most things on it . I agree about checking with your library too .

Well done Retrolady! The same as my 88 year old sil did recently and she has no lap top experience at all. Slowly and patiently, you will love it.

M0nica

MaggsMcG

Anyone worried about learning to do almost anything, YouTube is your friend. You can chose the video that's clearest for you.

In this specific case YouTube doesn't address my specific problems. Otherwise I think YouTube is great.

When I started wth my Smartphone, I found a local lady doing tecchnology tutoring who got me up and running and was a great help. But she has moved and I cannot find anyone else.

I’m like that with my tv. There was a local tv engineer that used to help me with my tv but he seems to have disappeared. It’s so frustrating when you know you have someone to turn to and then lose them ( I hope he’s ok though ).

MaggsMcG

Anyone worried about learning to do almost anything, YouTube is your friend. You can chose the video that's clearest for you.

In this specific case YouTube doesn't address my specific problems. Otherwise I think YouTube is great.

When I started wth my Smartphone, I found a local lady doing tecchnology tutoring who got me up and running and was a great help. But she has moved and I cannot find anyone else.

My son got me a smartphone when he installed a new door bell system that records who is at the door. I hate the phone! I like using my tiny old one that lets me phone and text. My daughter put an app on the new one that I can use in Greggs but what a faff carrying the big phone and holding it up to register a purchase . I finally got enough for a freebie but all the points had sisappeared by the time I expected some freebies. I will use it if I have to but never through choice!

Well done Retrolady the world awaits you!

Anyone worried about learning to do almost anything, YouTube is your friend. You can chose the video that's clearest for you.

Sadgrandma

Why not buy yourself a ‘Smartphone for Dummies’ book. It should tell you everything you need to know.

Because all the books I have investigated do not actually cover the problems I have, which arise from my dyspraxia.

For technical matters generally I learn better if someone shows me and demonstrates, rather than trying to follow writtten instructions, whether on paper or online.

Why not buy yourself a ‘Smartphone for Dummies’ book. It should tell you everything you need to know.

Just be careful scanning QR codes. There are quite a few fake ones out there by scammers.

I will be going to my local library as there are classes - How to use Google- and drop in sessions using IT. I want to transfer the details from my old laptop to my new one.
I have a Doro phone recommended by Which for Oldies as I don't want an all singing all dancing phone, iPhones seem rather expensive.

Remember that QR Codes are often just links to a webpage - searching the net for the page you want may be just as easy a way to get to the page you want to see. Also, scammers have covered QR Codes with their own QR Codes that link to their fake pages, for example at car park payment machines, so that payments go to criminals and the driver later receives a Penalty Charge.

petra

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.

I have had a smart phone for over 10 years. My DD was a fast adaptor and I thought they were wonderful and couldn't get one fast enough - which is where I came up against the problem of numb fingertips, tiny icons and the problems caused by dyspraxia. It affects brain function as well as fine motor control

PS For those who wondered - it's a Samsung Android.

Update - the new phone is now sitting happily being charged. I've spent most of the afternoon sorting out things so I can now get emails, FB, the weather and news. I'll investigate the rest another time, as my eyes (and my brain) are getting very sore and tired now. I shall switch it off and do some therapeutic knitting for a while. Thanks to everyone for their advice. Onward and upward into the world of technology now (or maybe tomorrow).

I have a Doro mobile, which is basically a telephone which is what I need it for. It sends texts and receives them. It also has a camera which is not very good so I never use it It does connect to the internet but I don't need it. I use it as a telephone, That's all I need. It cost me £40.

Tesco phone shop has always been brilliant and helpful, wherever you are in the country. I was quite happy to take out a contract with them - except it is with 02, whose reception here is diabolical to non-existent.

I can't use my smartphone. I don't know how to. I am not spectacularly dim but the problem is that I am not actually interested. It is rather like being at school - if you weren't interested in a subject, you would never succeed at it. Half the time I don't know what anyone is talking about! Android? Megabyte? (Don't know one from a dog bite).

I must get to grips, as Openreach has removed my landline.

Housebound, so can't get to classes - if there are any around here.

I can suggest a couple of ideas. You could look around at the library or local college where they may run a variety of short courses on different levels , so you could just start with a basic course on use, and then they sometimes do a more advanced course to do more complicated things.

But the best idea I think is as I used to call it "sit along a Nellie" When I had new staff joining my department, whilst they would be given written and spoken instructions for their work, the best thing I would do is to put them next to the most efficient and knowledgeable worker. If you knew that they were the best workers and understood the system well enough to also do shortcuts , then the newcomer learnt the best ideas from the best. That way they become competent very quickly, and whilst you may be obliged to follow the precise rules of a job, "Nellie" will have sussed out all the best ways to do things, how to avoid tedious ways and how to do a job quickly and efficiently. So you then usually end up with the new staff being quickly brought up to speed. So I suggest you look about your friends and see who seems to be very up to date and uses their phone easily and confidently and then ask for their help. Also see where most people have bought their phones locally. Here, our local Tesco has a good selection and a member of staff who is not at all pushy and listens to what you want from your phone and directs you accordingly. I was pleased with the help I got and of course, as I said , nicely of course, I lived locally so could easily come back if there were any problems!! Also you might ask friends to show you on their phone how to do various things and see if it is easy for you to use. I am a touch typist and bought a keyboard for my laptop as both the phone and laptop used to annoy me so much as I could type faster and without hitting wrong keys with the annoying littlescreen. Good luck