Best phone for my elderly mum who struggles with technology

[SereneHighnessPrincessTheresa]

My mum needs a new mobile phone. She currently has a very very old iPhone. But it's dying so needs replacing. She is pretty bad using anything technical but we can't just get a basic phone it has to have internet access. There is too much going on in her life via various WhatsApp groups etc that she would miss out if she doesn't have internet. But we're not entirely sure she even understands the difference between texting and messaging apps like WhatsApp so her understanding of all of this is very poor.

We have tried teaching her but it never seems to stick. Any suggestions gratefully received? Budget is not really a problem.

I think I would just set up an iPhone for her with WhatsApp and phone icons and petals the text icon, and hide all other apps?

You could talk to Age UK, they have digital volunteers in some areas who will make home visits.

'Maybe' not 'petals'!

I would get her a new iPhone if that’s what she has in the past, rather than introducing something new.

I set up an old iPhone ( iPhone 6 I think) for my aunt who's in her 80s. Just the 2 or 3 apps she needed and took everything else off. Works pretty well. I don't get as many 'tech support' calls these days !

Agree with an iPhone - i have various elderly relatives and have found that iPhones are actually the most intuitive to use (of course there are certain skills, like swiping, it takes a while to get used to).

My elderly cousin has a Nokia she has literally no idea how to use and it has caused us no energy of trouble. Because it is not very obvious how to do things on itz and she has no means or finding out herself (can't Google) so relies on us to tell her how to do literally any small thing with it.

iPhones are designed to teach people how to use them, if that makes sense?

Which recommended - the Doro 8100:
https://www.doro.com/en-gb/shop/mobile-devices/smart-phones/doro-8100-8e6ccfba/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIueSc6rq8hgMVBZRQBh0ghgBCEAAYAyAAEgJ31vD_BwE

Doro smart phone - I got one for Mum, who is 'nervous of technology " and elderly!

very simple to set up and use. It also has step by step instructions as to what to do (e.g. scroll down) and what tech words mean. You can also set the phone up in traditional app mode or simple mode.

I set Mum's up in simple mode, which is easy to understand for someone, who is not into being online like Mum.

She Is v happy with her mobile

I'd stick with IPhone because it's what she's used to. Probably the IPhone SE model.

Buy a refurbished model - like new or excellent condition - on giffgaff or Backmarket. Very good quality in my experience.

Set up the apps she needs to keep the Home Screen basic and simple. There are also a lot of helpful videos on you tube, iPhone for seniors by Rich Bowlin.

There’s an assistive access mode on iPhone now where you can select specific apps only and the icons become massive

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/assistive-access-iphone/iphb86e84e2b/ios#:~:text=Assistive%20Access%20offers%20ways%20for,or%20as%20a%20video%20selfie.