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Helping a parent with their iPhone and computer

Short answer

Set up a few things together, while nothing is wrong: on the iPhone, Find My, Medical ID, and two-factor sign-in with a recovery contact; on the computer, Windows Update and the built-in virus check. Agree on one rule for unexpected calls and messages. Then write down the device details and who to call, and leave plain steps they can follow on their own.

Last reviewed October 8, 2026 against Apple’s iPhone User Guide, Apple Support, Microsoft Support and the FTC

On this page

Start with what they want to do

Plain Steps is written so the person holding the device does the taps. Pick the jobs they actually want, like bigger text or video calls, and let them try each one with the steps in front of them.

iPhone · card P24

Turn on Find My before it’s needed

Check that Find My iPhone is on now: if it wasn’t on before a phone goes missing, it can’t be found this way.

Use this when you want to be ready in case your iPhone is lost — or it’s missing now.

Path Settings Your name Find My

  1. Check now, before you need it: Settings › tap your name › Find My › Find My iPhone, and make sure it’s on.

  2. On the same screen, turn on Find My network and Send Last Location.

  3. If your iPhone is lost: on another phone or computer, go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple Account. Choose Find Devices — no verification code needed.

  4. Pick your iPhone. Play a sound to find it nearby, or choose Mark As Lost to lock it and show a number to call on its screen.

Apple Account Find MyFind My iPhoneOnTap
Illustration, not a screenshot.

Done when

Find My shows your iPhone on a map.

Good to know

If Find My wasn’t on before the iPhone went missing, it can’t be found this way. Report a stolen phone to the police and your phone company.

Stop here if…

someone says they found your iPhone and asks for your passcode or a code — it’s a scam. Apple will never contact you to say your iPhone was found.

Written for iOS 27 · iPhone 11 and later, iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen) · iOS 26 labels Lost Mode slightly differently. Checked against official pages on October 8, 2026.

Official sources for this card

iPhone · card P23

Set up Medical ID and Emergency SOS

Add health details and an emergency contact in the Health app, turn on Show When Locked, and practice the emergency button press together.

Use this when you want responders to see your health details and contacts — and to know how to call for help fast.

  1. Open the Health app, tap your picture, then Medical ID.

  2. Tap Get Started or Edit and add your conditions, medicines and allergies.

  3. Tap Add Emergency Contact and choose someone from your contacts.

  4. Turn on Show When Locked, so it can be seen without your passcode. Tap Done.

  5. To call for help: press and hold the side button and either volume button until the countdown ends.

    Or turn on the five-press option in Settings › Emergency SOS, then press the side button five times quickly. In India, three presses.

Done when

Your Medical ID shows your details, and you know the emergency button press.

Good to know

When an emergency call ends, your emergency contacts get a text with your location unless you cancel it.

Stop here if…

you called emergency services by mistake — don’t hang up. Stay on the line and tell them you don’t need help.

Written for iOS 27 · iPhone 11 and later, iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen). Checked against official pages on October 8, 2026.

Official sources for this card

iPhone · card P25

Check the Apple Account is well protected

Make sure two-factor authentication is on, and add a recovery contact who can give them a code if they’re ever locked out.

Use this when you want to be sure no one else can get into your Apple Account — and that you can get back in.

Path Settings Your name Sign-In & Security

  1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.

  2. Tap Sign-In & Security and look at Two-Factor Authentication. Most accounts already have it on.

  3. If it isn’t on, tap it and follow the steps.

  4. Add a recovery contact — someone you trust who can give you a code if you’re ever locked out: Recovery Contacts › Add Recovery Contact.

    They get no access to your account. They need iOS 15 or later and iMessage on.

Done when

Two-factor authentication is on, and you have a recovery contact.

Stop here if…

anyone asks for your Apple Account password, passcode or a verification code — by phone, text or email. Apple never asks for these. Hang up and see S05 Sign-in safety: codes, passwords and passkeys (in the kit).

Written for iOS 27 and iOS 26 · all iPhones in this kit. Checked against official pages on October 8, 2026.

Official sources for this card

Windows 11 · card W22

Keep their Windows computer up to date

Go to Start › Settings › Windows Update and select Check for updates together, so they know where it is and what the restart looks like.

Use this when Windows says updates are waiting — or you want the latest security fixes.

Path Settings Windows Update

  1. Select Start › Settings › Windows Update.

  2. Select Check for updates. If any are listed, select Download & install.

  3. When it asks, select Restart now — or Schedule the restart for a time you’re not using the computer.

  4. Updates are also offered when you shut down: Start › Power › Update and restart.

SettingsAccountsTime & languageAccessibilityPrivacy & securityWindows UpdateWindows UpdateCheck for updatesPause updatesPick a dateGet the latest updates assoon as they’re availableOffHere
Illustration, not a screenshot.

Done when

Windows Update shows no updates waiting.

Good to know

Need to put updates off? Next to Pause updates, choose how long or pick a date — up to 35 days. They restart by themselves after that.

Written for Windows 11 · versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 · Home and Pro · some newer options roll out gradually. Checked against official pages on October 8, 2026.

Official sources for this card

Windows 11 · card W24

Show them the built-in virus check

Windows Security comes with Windows 11 at no extra cost. Run a Quick scan together, so a pop-up or a caller can’t talk them into paying for antivirus.

Use this when something seems wrong, you clicked something you shouldn’t have, or you want peace of mind.

  1. Select Start, type Windows Security, and open it.

  2. Select Virus & threat protection, then Quick scan. Wait for it to finish.

  3. For a deeper check, select Scan options, choose Full scan, and start it. It can take a long time.

  4. On the Windows Security home page, check the symbols:

    Green check mark
    all fine.
    Yellow
    a recommendation to look at.
    Red
    needs attention now.

Done when

The scan finishes and shows no current threats.

Good to know

Windows Security comes with Windows 11 at no extra cost. You don’t need to buy antivirus because a pop-up or caller says so.

Stop here if…

it finds a threat it can’t remove, or you’re worried someone had remote access — see S04 If you think you’ve been scammed and get trusted help.

Written for Windows 11 · versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 · Home and Pro. Checked against official pages on October 8, 2026.

Official sources for this card

Stay safe · page S01

Agree on one rule for scams

The kit’s rule is simple: if an unexpected call, text, email or pop-up passes any of six warning questions, stop, and contact the company on a number you already trust. Go through the six questions together, and keep the desk card by the phone.

Records & practice · page R07

Write down what a helper needs

The kit includes fill-in pages for the things a helper always asks: which phone and computer it is (model, software version), who to call for what, and a help note for describing what happened. None of them has a place for passwords, on purpose.

Keep the steps on paper

These steps come from Plain Steps: 67 one-page fixes like these for everyday iPhone and Windows 11 jobs, to read on screen or print. Every card has the same shape: the path, numbered steps, how to tell it worked, and when to stop.

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