6 Ways to Make Your Parent's Phone Safer Today
A few simple settings changes can dramatically reduce your parent's exposure to phone scams and security threats.
TL;DR
Make your parent's phone safer by enabling a strong screen lock, turning on spam call filtering, filtering spam texts, reviewing app permissions, setting up emergency contacts, and enabling Find My Phone. These settings take minutes but provide lasting protection.
Why Phone Safety Matters for Seniors
Smartphones are essential tools, but they also expose seniors to new types of scams and security risks.
Scam Calls Are Increasing
Americans receive billions of scam calls annually. Seniors are disproportionately targeted and lose more money per incident.
Default Settings Aren't Protective
Phones come with many protective features disabled by default. A few minutes of configuration makes a huge difference.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Each safety measure adds a layer of protection. Together, they create a much safer phone experience.
6 Safety Settings to Enable Today
These six changes can be completed in under 30 minutes and dramatically improve phone security.
1. Enable Strong Screen Lock
A secure lock screen is the first line of defense against unauthorized access.
Set up a 6-digit PIN, fingerprint, or face recognition. Avoid simple patterns or 4-digit PINs that are easy to guess.
iPhone:
Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) > Turn Passcode On
Android:
Settings > Security > Screen Lock > Choose PIN, Pattern, or Fingerprint
2. Turn On Spam Call Filtering
Block most scam calls before they can even ring through.
Enable built-in call screening to silence calls from unknown or suspected spam numbers.
iPhone:
Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers (toggle on)
Android:
Phone app > Settings > Caller ID & spam > Filter spam calls (toggle on)
3. Filter Spam Text Messages
Stop scam texts from appearing in the main inbox.
Enable message filtering to automatically sort suspicious texts into a separate folder.
iPhone:
Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders (toggle on)
Android:
Messages app > Settings > Spam protection > Enable spam protection
4. Review App Permissions
Many apps request more access than they need. Limiting permissions protects privacy.
Check which apps have access to location, camera, microphone, and contacts. Remove permissions that aren't necessary.
iPhone:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Review each category (Location, Camera, etc.)
Android:
Settings > Apps > [App name] > Permissions > Review and adjust
5. Set Up Emergency Contacts
In case of emergency, responders can access critical contact information.
Add emergency contacts and medical information that can be accessed from the lock screen.
iPhone:
Health app > Medical ID > Edit > Add Emergency Contacts
Android:
Settings > Safety & Emergency > Emergency Contacts
6. Enable Find My Phone
If the phone is lost or stolen, you can locate, lock, or erase it remotely.
Turn on location tracking and remote management features for the device.
iPhone:
Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone (toggle on)
Android:
Settings > Google > Find My Device (toggle on)
Bonus: Install a Call-Blocking App
For extra protection, consider adding a dedicated call-blocking app to complement built-in features.
Nomorobo
Free for landlines, small fee for mobile. Excellent scam detection with regularly updated database.
Hiya
Free basic version with caller ID and spam detection. Premium version adds more blocking features.
RoboKiller
Subscription-based with aggressive blocking. Features "answer bots" that waste scammers' time.
Truecaller
Large database for caller identification. Free version with ads, premium removes them.
How TechMaid Makes Phone Setup Easy
Not comfortable changing settings yourself? TechMaid guides you through each step with patience and clarity.
Step-by-Step Guidance
We walk you through each setting at your pace, explaining what each option does and why it matters.
Any Phone, Any Carrier
Whether you have an iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, or any other smartphone, TechMaid knows how to configure it.
Ongoing Support
Settings change with software updates. TechMaid keeps you protected as your phone evolves.
Creating a Safe Phone Environment
Beyond settings, there are habits that help maintain phone safety over time.
Good Phone Safety Habits
- Keep software updated. Updates often include security fixes for newly discovered threats.
- Only download apps from official stores. Apple App Store and Google Play Store screen for malware.
- Don't click links in texts from unknown numbers. Legitimate organizations don't send unsolicited links.
- Review bank and credit card statements. Catch unauthorized charges early before they escalate.
Need Help Setting Up These Features?
TechMaid provides patient, step-by-step guidance to secure your phone against scams and threats.
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