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iPhone SE (2016) iPhone For Senior

C

craigieuk

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 18, 2019
4
0
Hi,
Wonder if you guys can help me? My 83yr old Dad is really struggling mentally and his iPhone is a great source of stress for him. However, he's scared to give it up completely, or have to learn another phone. His only use for the phone is to make / receive calls, and send / receive texts. If I switch wifi and mobile data off, will SMS work, even when receiving from family members with iPhones or sending to the same? Thanks for your help.
Craigieuk
 
SMS only needs a cell signal. MMS and iMessage needs data/WiFi. So he could text other phone numbers but iMessage won't work and sending pics/videos etc. won't work.
 
Last edited:
Yes.
You can also really lock down the phone using restrictions so that almost nothing shows (or works) but what you want. Also to make the home screen look like less of a circus nightmare of dizzying icons, just put everything that can't be deleted in a folder except Messages and the Phone app, then put that folder several pages away on the home screens so it's not easy to get at. Maybe name it (Don't Use)

Then there will only be 2 icons on the home screen, Messages & Phone.
Contacts can be accessed inside the phone app so it can be hidden too.
 
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Reactions: TGM85, DevinNj and 960design
Thank you for these replies. So, if I switch off data, will iPhone using family members be able to SMS text, and vice versa?
 
now i see it said:
Yes.
You can also really lock down the phone using restrictions so that almost nothing shows (or works) but what you want. Also to make the home screen look like less of a circus nightmare of dizzying icons, just put everything that can't be deleted in a folder except Messages and the Phone app, then put that folder several pages away on the home screens so it's not easy to get at. Maybe name it (Don't Use)

Then there will only be 2 icons on the home screen, Messages & Phone.
Contacts can be accessed inside the phone app so it can be hidden too.
Click to expand...

OP- this^ my son has an iPhone mainly for use as an iPod, for camera, music and game play. The cell/messaging is nice as well if he needs to get me or his mother. We have his data usage pretty locked down and like stated above you can "hide" any apps he wouldn't need to use.
 
960design said:
I'm lost.
How does switching off data assist your struggling father?

I agree with "now I see it".
Click to expand...

Notifications about backing up his phone cause him stress. Updates cause him stress. Other stuff that happens because data is on causes him stress. All of these things add up to the 6 to 8 phone calls from him on a daily basis!
 
craigieuk said:
Notifications about backing up his phone cause him stress. Updates cause him stress. Other stuff that happens because data is on causes him stress. All of these things add up to the 6 to 8 phone calls from him on a daily basis!
Click to expand...
Completely understand.... you have solve the little battles for the greater good.

I know you know this but for future googlers:
Backup Notifications:
Settings > iCloud (username) > iCloud > iCloud Backup = OFF
iCloud Backup irrelevant since iOS 7.1

Auto Updates:
Settings > Software Updates > Automatic Updates = ON
 
Understand your issue, my Dad was same way. Long before cell phones though.

I would consider having him moved to a basic phone. No messaging---
 
In 'settings' go general>accessibility>Guided Access.
I've not used it but in theory it allows you to set the phone up and disable lots of things so it's just a very simple interface.
Give it a look, it might be what you need.
 
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