Help with phones, tablets and computers

Short guides for the things people most often ask about, from setting up your screen to keeping your accounts secure. Open a guide to see the steps.

A smiling man using a tablet computer at home

Phones differ. Menus on Samsung, Google, Motorola and other Android phones can be named slightly differently. If a word doesn't match, look for the closest one, or use the search box at the top of your Settings.

Set your device up to suit you

Make the writing bigger and cleareriPhone and Android

On an iPhone

  1. Open Settings (the grey cog).
  2. Tap Display & Brightness, then Text Size.
  3. Drag the slider to the right until the writing is comfortable.
  4. For even bigger text, go to Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text Size, Larger Text.

On an Android phone

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Display, then look for Font size or Display size and text.
  3. Move the slider until you're happy. You'll see a preview as you go.

Turning on Bold Text in the same menu makes everything easier to read without making it larger.

Make calls and ringtones louderiPhone and Android
  1. During a call, press the volume up button on the side of the phone.
  2. For the ringtone, open Settings and tap Sounds (on iPhone, Sounds & Haptics).
  3. Drag the Ringtone or Ring volume slider to the right.
  4. If you have hearing aids, search Settings for Hearing devices. Many modern hearing aids can stream calls straight from the phone.
Make the battery last longerPhones, tablets and laptops
  • Turn the screen brightness down a little. It is the biggest drain on the battery.
  • Turn on Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Power saving (Android) when you're out.
  • Use the charger that came with the device, or one from a well-known brand. Very cheap chargers can damage batteries.
  • You don't need to wait until it's flat. Topping up little and often is fine.

Keep in touch

Make a video call on WhatsAppFree, works on most phones and tablets
  1. Open WhatsApp (the green speech bubble with a phone inside).
  2. Tap the name of the person you want to call to open your conversation with them.
  3. Tap the video camera symbol at the top of the screen.
  4. Wait for them to answer. Hold the phone at arm's length so they can see your face.
  5. To finish, tap the red button.

Video calls use the internet, not your phone minutes. On home Wi-Fi they cost nothing extra.

Send a photo to someoneUsing WhatsApp
  1. Open your WhatsApp conversation with the person.
  2. Tap the + sign (iPhone) or the paperclip (Android) next to where you type.
  3. Tap Photos or Gallery, then tap the picture you want.
  4. Add a message underneath if you like, then tap the send arrow.
Send an email with an attachmentGmail, Outlook and most email apps
  1. Tap or click Compose or New message.
  2. Type the person's email address in the To box.
  3. Add a short subject, such as "Photos from Sunday".
  4. Tap the paperclip to attach a photo or document, and choose the file.
  5. Write your message and press Send.

Your computer

Zoom in on any web pageWindows and Mac
  • Windows: hold Ctrl and press + to zoom in, or − to zoom out.
  • Mac: hold Cmd and press + or −.
  • To go back to normal, hold Ctrl (or Cmd) and press 0.
Keep your devices up to dateThe single best thing for security

Updates fix security holes that criminals look for. Turning on automatic updates means you rarely need to think about it.

  • iPhone or iPad: Settings, General, Software Update, then turn on Automatic Updates.
  • Android: Settings, then Software update or System update.
  • Windows: Settings, Windows Update.
  • Mac: System Settings, General, Software Update.

A pop-up on a website saying your computer "needs an urgent update" or "has a virus" is almost always a scam. Real updates come from your Settings, not from web pages.

Already confident? Go further

Add two-step verification to your accountsStops someone getting in even if they know your password
  1. Start with your email account, since it can reset every other password you have.
  2. Find Security in your account settings and look for 2-Step Verification or Two-factor authentication.
  3. Choose to receive a code by text, or better, use an authenticator app or your phone's built-in prompt.
  4. Save the backup codes you're given somewhere safe and offline.
Use passkeys instead of passwordsSign in with your face, fingerprint or phone PIN

A passkey lets you sign in by unlocking your phone, the same way you already do every day. There is nothing to remember and nothing a scammer can trick you into typing.

  1. Sign in to the account as normal (Google, Microsoft, Amazon and many banks offer passkeys).
  2. Go to its Security settings and choose Create a passkey.
  3. Confirm with your face, fingerprint or screen lock. That's it.
Back up your photos automaticallySo a lost phone never means lost memories
  • iPhone: Settings, tap your name, iCloud, Photos, then turn on Sync this iPhone.
  • Android: open Google Photos, tap your picture in the top corner, then turn on Backup.
  • Both offer a small amount of free storage, with more available for a monthly fee.
Find a lost phoneSet this up before you need it
  • iPhone: check Find My is turned on under Settings, your name, Find My.
  • Android: search your Settings for Find My Device and check it is turned on.
  • If the phone goes missing, sign in at icloud.com/find or google.com/android/find from any computer to see it on a map, make it ring or lock it.