Set up your parents' tech before the next support call

A family visit is a good time to make your parents' phones, computers, and smart-home devices easier to maintain. The Verge reports that a few preventive changes can reduce future support calls while helping relatives solve simpler problems themselves.

Turn on automatic updates

Updates improve security and fix bugs, but automatic installation may be disabled. Configure each device before handing it back.

On a Mac:

1. 1Open System Settings.
2. 2Select General and then Software Update.
3. 3Open Automatic Updates.
4. 4Enable Install macOS updates or Install Security Responses and system files.
5. 5Optionally enable Download new updates when available instead, if your parents want to approve installations.

On an iPhone or iPad:

1. 1Open Settings.
2. 2Select General and then Software Update.
3. 3Open Automatic Updates.
4. 4Enable Automatically Install for software updates and system files, or leave installation disabled while allowing automatic downloads.

On a Windows 11 PC:

1. 1Open the Start menu.
2. 2Select Settings.
3. 3Search for and open Windows Update.
4. 4Enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
5. 5Open Advanced options to configure Microsoft product updates, restart notifications, and active hours.

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On Android:

1. 1Open Settings.
2. 2Select System and then Software updates on a Pixel or many other Android phones.
3. 3Check for system and app updates.
4. 4Open the Play Store to configure app updates.
5. 5Select the personal icon in the upper-right corner.
6. 6Choose Settings, Network preferences, and Auto-update apps.
7. 7Select Update over Wi-Fi only if appropriate.

On Samsung phones using the Galaxy Store, open Settings, select Auto update apps, and choose Using Wi-Fi only.

Reduce the risk of scams

Discuss common fraud tactics, including fake calls from Microsoft about computer viruses, the IRS about alleged tax debts, or banks claiming they need help stopping a fraudulent transaction. AARP’s Scams & Fraud resources include a weekday phone helpline, holiday-scam guidance, and examples of common cons.

If a relative has already been defrauded, take these steps:

1. 1Place a fraud alert or security freeze on their credit reports.
2. 2Contact their banks and credit-card companies.
3. 3Change passwords for affected accounts.
4. 4Keep contact information for Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion available.
5. 5Make a list of their bank and credit-card accounts.
6. 6Ask each company whether it can grant you account access with your parent’s approval.
7. 7Install a password manager.
8. 8Replace reused passwords with unique ones.

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Teach basic recovery and remote support

Show your parents how to disconnect and reconnect a computer, router, or other device. A soft reset can resolve many temporary app and hardware problems, and teaching the process is more useful than fixing every issue yourself.

Windows 11 Quick Assist

1. 1Press Windows key + Ctrl + Q on your computer.
2. 2Ask your parent to press the same keys.
3. 3Select Help someone on your computer.
4. 4Give your parent the security code.
5. 5Have them enter the code under Get help.
6. 6Ask them to select Submit.

Mac Screen Sharing

1. 1On your parent’s Mac, open Settings.
2. 2Select General and then Screen Sharing.
3. 3Enable Screen Sharing.
4. 4Under Allow access for, select Only these users.
5. 5Add your Apple ID and the IDs of other approved helpers.
6. 6On your Mac, open the Screen Sharing app.
7. 7Select the plus button and add your parent’s Apple ID.
8. 8Ask your parent to grant permission when you connect.

If Screen Sharing cannot be enabled, check that Remote Management is disabled. More advanced access is available through Remote Management.

Chrome Remote Desktop

1. 1Open https://remotedesktop.google.com/support/ on both computers.
2. 2Ask your parent to select Generate Code under Share this screen.
3. 3Have them read you the 12-digit code.
4. 4Enter it under Connect to another computer.

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Add emergency contacts

Configure emergency information while you are together, then test the setup. The available options differ by device and operating system.

On an iPhone:

1. 1Open the Health app.
2. 2Select Medical ID.
3. 3Add relevant medical information.
4. 4Open Emergency Contacts.
5. 5Select Add or Edit.
6. 6Enter your contact information.

An iPhone can also call emergency services when the side and volume buttons are pressed together, or when the side button is pressed five times. For relatives who are uncomfortable with phones, directly calling 911 may be simpler.

On Android:

1. 1Open Settings.
2. 2Select Safety & emergency.
3. 3Open Emergency contacts.
4. 4Add your contact information.
5. 5Select Change settings at the bottom of the page.
6. 6Open Emergency info access.
7. 7Choose whether emergency contacts can appear without unlocking the phone.
8. 8Enable sharing with first responders when an emergency call is made, if desired.
9. 9Open Emergency Location Service and enable automatic location sharing during emergency calls.
10. 10Return to Safety & emergency to configure Emergency SOS and medical information.

Emergency contacts may also be configurable on an Apple Watch, Pixel Watch, or another smartwatch, depending on the device and its operating system.

Configure a hands-free call on an Echo

An Echo can let someone call a trusted contact by voice. The Alexa app is required on both phones.

1. 1Open your parent’s Alexa app.
2. 2Select More, shown as three parallel lines at the bottom of the Home screen.
3. 3Select Communicate and then Call.
4. 4Add yourself as a contact if necessary.
5. 5Ask your parent to say, “Alexa, call [your name].”
6. 6Test the call before relying on it.

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Other smart-home devices use different setup processes, so check their specific instructions before enabling emergency calling.

The goal is not to replace a family member with a bot. AI assistants can give incorrect instructions, and a wrong fix could make a problem worse. If your parents do not want to use AI and their current setup works, leave it alone; written instructions or a useful video may be more helpful than taking over the device.

The same principle applies to TV settings such as motion smoothing: show relatives how to change a setting rather than silently changing it for them. Some TV operating systems may not allow motion smoothing to be disabled, but teaching the process gives them a better chance of handling the next problem themselves.