Set up this feature on older adults' iPhones to help them navigate more easily


Join Fox News for access to this content

Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account – free of charge.

Please enter a valid email address.

By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

Having trouble? Click here.

For those of us with older loved ones, we understand the challenges technology can present. 

But did you know their iPhones have a nifty trick up their sleeve? It’s called Assistive Access, and it’s essentially a powerful, helpful “Senior Mode.”

This feature simplifies the iPhone interface, making it far easier for seniors to navigate.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

assistive access 1

Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: BEST TECH FOR SENIORS

How to turn on Assistive Access on iPhone

Enabling Assistive Access on your loved one’s iPhone is easy to do. So, grab your iPhone and let’s begin.

  • Swipe down from the top of the screen and search for Settings
  • Once Settings pops up, tap to open it
  • Scroll down to find Accessibility and give it a tap
  • Keep scrolling until you see Assistive Access and select it
assistive access 2

Steps to turn on Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Now, click on Set Up Assistive Access
  • Then tap Continue
  • If you’re happy with the current Apple ID on the iPhone, just hit Continue again
assistive access 3

Steps to turn on Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Decide how you’d like your apps to be displayed. Choosing Rows fits more apps on the screen, but Grid makes them larger and easier to see. Let’s go with Grid for visibility and click Continue
  • You’ll now see a list of apps such as Calls, Camera, Messages and Photos. Tap the plus sign next to the ones you want to include
assistive access 4

Steps to turn on Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Then click Continue after you make each selection
  • The next screen will show some info about assistive devices. Press Continue to acknowledge you’ve read it
  • Here, you can alter your iPhone’s security settings. If you want to keep them as is, press Continue. To change them, tap Change Security Settings
  • Set an ‘Access Passcode’ by typing it in, then confirm it by typing it again
assistive access 5

Steps to turn on Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Set Recovery Apple ID
  • Enter an Apple ID that can be used for recovery if the passcode is forgotten
  • Then, click Continue
assistive access 6

Steps to turn on Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Start Using Assistive Access, and your iPhone is now in Senior Mode

5 NEW INNOVATIONS TO HELP SENIORS LIVE BETTER

assistive access 7

Steps to turn on Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: TOP AFFORDABLE CELLPHONE PLANS

How to turn off Assistive Access on iPhone

If you want to turn off Assistive Access on your iPhone, there are some easy steps to disable the feature.

  • For models with a side button, triple-click it
assistive access 8

Steps to turn off Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • If your iPhone has a home button, triple-click that instead
assistive access 9

Steps to turn off Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Click Exit Assistive Access

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Assistive access 10

Steps to turn off Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Enter your Assistive Access Code to Exit
ASSISTIVE access 11

Steps to turn off Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • It should say ‘Exiting Assistive Access…’ and be disabled, allowing you to return the iPhone to its standard mode.
ASSISTIVE ACCESS 12

Steps to turn off Assistive Access on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: THE TOP 5 TECH OBSESSIONS OF OLDER ADULTS

Kurt’s key takeaways

In embracing technology, our older loved ones need not be left behind. Assistive Access is a testament to the thoughtful design that can bridge the generational tech gap, ensuring that the digital world is inclusive for all ages.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

What other accessibility features would you be interested in learning about for your elderly loved ones? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.