For Family's IT Guru, Time to Fix iPhones

"It's the holiday season, which means someone has got to step into the role of family IT department, whether by choice or by default. This year, it might be you.

 

Don't fret, this is your moment to shine. Plus, better tech can bring people closer together and keep everyone connected. Here are ways you can help your family members get more from their iPhones, even if they're using older models.

 

Before you begin your role as a one-person Genius Bar, first make sure everyone's devices are running the latest software. Next, tackle some basics, like turning off the clicketyclack keyboard sound nobody needs to hear. (On an iPhone, go to Settings and search for Keyboard Clicks.) Bonus if you can set a ringtone that won't make everyone cringe.

 

Now you're ready to tackle each relative's needs and habits. Odds are, your family is in the iPhone crowd -- like the majority of U.S. smartphone owners -- so we've focused this advice on Apple devices.

 

Tools for keeping in touch

 

Apple's operating systems -- including its newest iPhone software, iOS 17 -- contain a trove of features to improve voice and video calls with Grandpa and Mom.

 

-- Quiet the noise: Ever been on a call with someone who sounds like he's in the middle of an action film? Hidden in the phone's Control Center menu is a magical feature that can remove background noises. During a phone call, drag down from the top right corner of the screen to see Control Center. Tap the Mic Mode button and select Voice Isolation.

 

-- FaceTime on TV: If family members have a second-generation or newer Apple TV 4K, they don't have to squint at a tiny smartphone screen or locate their iPads to FaceTime. Instead, launch a FaceTime call on the biggest screen in the house. The iPhone and TV need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The fam can invite your Android-loving uncle by sending him a FaceTime link.

 

-- Contact exchange: If you're meeting distant relatives or getting to know new in-laws, NameDrop is faster than reciting numbers aloud or punching in contact information. Hold two updated iPhones close to each other when they're unlocked, and watch the magic.

 

-- Amplify voices: A lot of people who suffer mild hearing loss don't seek out hearing aids. But maybe some have AirPods. Live Listen lets someone place an iPhone on a dinner table, for instance, and the voices it picks up will stream directly to the person's AirPods. With AirPods connected, open the iPhone's Control Center, tap the ear icon, then select the microphone (Life listen) button. Increase the sound on the phone to hear the effect clearly.

 

Staying safe

 

There are tools available to filter out inappropriate content and unwanted notifications, as well as keep track of possessions and people.

 

-- Sensitive content warnings: Apple's sensitive content warnings, new with iOS 17, let users filter out the not-so-great stuff their kids receive through iMessage and AirDrop. Open Settings and go to Privacy & Security. Scroll down and tap Sensitive Content Warning to turn it on. Incoming images will be scanned on device and hidden behind a blur if they contain possible nudity.

 

-- Checking in: Your brother no longer needs to text and call your mom and 50 other relatives to confirm that he arrived home safely. Now his iPhone can do the job. In a message to everyone he wants to notify, he can tap the + button on the left side of the text box, then tap "More" and Check In.

 

He can enter where he's headed and how he's getting there. When he arrives, his iPhone notifies them that he made it.

 

-- Location tracking: It's common for spouses to permanently share their locations with one another, and close friends often do, too. Consider adding older relatives on Apple's Find My app as a safety measure.

 

-- Left-behind alerts: For everyone swamped with Apple's "Left Behind" notifications, even when they know where their stuff is, there's a partial fix: In the Find My app, identify which items your family members don't want alerts about when they leave them at home or work.

 

-- Sharing passwords: To share passwords with family members, either for a streaming service or an important account that they might need, there's a simple solution: In Settings, go to Passwords, tap that plus sign, and create a New Shared Group. Name it, and add your fam. They get an invitation to join your password group and can add their own logins.

 

Family fun

 

-- Shared streaming: Your cousin has a TikTok video to show you at the dinner table, but you don't want to put his gross AirPods in your ears. Try SharePlay. He can hold his iPhone near yours and tap SharePlay, so audio plays in both of your AirPods or Beats earphones.

 

-- Musical potluck: Spotify has long let users make collaborative playlists. Soon Apple Music will, too. iOS 17.2 will let two or more people add, remove and reorder songs in a shared playlist on Apple Music. In their Library, select Playlists > New Playlist > Create. Press the invitation icon at the top, then follow the prompts to text others a link.

 

-- AI primer: Chances are, your relatives have all heard of AI and ChatGPT. You can help them download the ChatGPT app to ask the chatbot for personalized advice -- like help writing a thank-you note for your tech wizardry." [1]

1. For Family's IT Guru, Time to Fix iPhones. Brown, Dalvin.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 29 Nov 2023: A.11.