How to Set Up a Samsung Galaxy for Seniors and Non-Techies

Quick summary: If you (or your mom, dad or grandparent) find a Samsung Galaxy phone confusing, these settings make it so simple that anybody can use it. Share it with whoever just got a new Galaxy.

Tip: to find Settings, swipe up from the bottom, tap the search bar and type “sett”. Settings shows up at the top.

Make everything bigger and simpler

1. Easy mode: Settings > Display > Easy mode, turn it on. It makes text and on-screen items larger, adds a longer touch and hold delay to prevent accidents, and gives you a high-contrast keyboard.
2. Bigger text: in Display > Font size and style, drag the font size slider until it’s comfortable.
3. Navigation buttons: in Display > Navigation bar, switch from gestures to Buttons. You can swap the order in More options. The buttons: Recent apps shows apps you had open, Home always takes you home, and Back goes back one step.
4. Dark mode: in Display, tap Dark, or open Dark mode settings and turn it on as scheduled from sunset to sunrise, so it’s light during the day and easier on your eyes at night.
5. Alphabetical apps: open the apps screen, tap the three dots > Sort > Alphabetical order, so everything is in one list you scroll down. You can also search for an app at the bottom.
6. Wallpaper: Settings > Wallpaper and style > Change wallpapers. Pick a featured, graphical or color wallpaper, or a photo from your gallery, then tap Next and Done.
7. Screen timeout: in Display > Screen timeout, choose 2 minutes, and turn on Keep screen on while viewing so it stays on while you read.

Lock and unlock

8. PIN: Security and privacy > Lock screen. A pattern works, but I recommend a PIN (six digits recommended, four is allowed).
9. Face unlock: register your face, turn off Brighten screen (it will blind you at night) and turn off Stay on lock screen until swipe, so it goes straight to the home screen.
10. Fingerprint: add your fingerprint and set it to Always on, so it unlocks even when the screen is off.

Keep it updated

11. Play Store: tap your profile picture > Manage apps and device > Update all.
12. Galaxy Store: search “Galaxy” (it may just be called “Store”), go to Menu > Updates > Update all.
13. Software update: Settings > Software update > Download and install. It restarts the phone if there’s an update.

Calls

14. Tap to answer: in the Phone app, three dots > Settings > Answering and ending calls > Gesture to answer calls, switch to tapping the green or red button instead of swiping.
15. Spam calls: on an unlocked phone, turn on Caller ID and spam protection in call settings. Otherwise install your carrier’s app from the Play Store: T-Life for T-Mobile, ActiveArmor for AT&T, or Call Filter for Verizon.

Handy extras

16. Close all apps: tap Recent apps > Close all. Great if you’re lost inside an app.
17. Safety and emergency: enter your medical info and emergency contacts, show them on the lock screen, share them automatically during emergency calls and texts, and set up emergency sharing with people you trust.
18. Magnifier: use it to zoom in on text or anything you can’t see well, with a flashlight, filters and a capture button.
19. Add apps to the home screen: in the apps screen, press and hold an app (like Contacts) and tap Add to home.

A simple phone pick

• Samsung Galaxy A37 5G at Walmart
• Mint Mobile: $15 unlimited data, talk and text