Technology

9 Essential Smartphone Apps for Seniors (Android & Apple)

Smartphone Apps for Seniors

Once you have your smartphone, there are countless apps available; some will make your life easier, some will help you pass the time. Unfortunately, this abundance can be problematic as it becomes difficult to navigate which apps are worth downloading. While you’re getting used to navigating your smartphone, here are some excellent apps to have downloaded.

Medical ID: In Case of Emergency

Android only

This app allows you to create medical profiles that can be accessed from your phone’s lock screen. In an emergency where your phone can’t be unlocked, this app lets first responders and emergency medical technicians get quick access to information such as your allergies, blood type, or emergency contacts.

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There is also a premium version that can be purchased from the Google Play store. The developer recommends using the free version first to make sure the app works well with your device.

The premium app has the following features:

  • Immediate access to pertinent medical information from your lock screen
  • Ability to send an emergency text with an estimated location with one click
  • Emergency contact calls without having to unlock your phone.

MyID – Medical ID Profile

– Available for iOS

Another medical identification app, MyID, allows you to create a profile of your emergency information that will be accessible via a QR code on your phone’s lock screen. This app is free, but there is a paid version that has a few more features.

The following chart gives the features of each of the MyID app versions:

FeatureFreePremium
Personal InformationYesYes
List of MedicationsYesYes
List of AllergiesYesYes
Emergency ContactsYesYes
Physician InformationYesYes
Insurance InformationYesYes
Ability To Notify Emergency ContactsYesYes
Text GPS location of where Medical ID is scannedNoYes
Upload and store documents (insurance, living wills, etc.)NoYes
Pill reminderNoYes

Find My Phone

– Available for Both Android and iOS

If your phone is ever lost or stolen, this app locates your phone using its GPS. However, the app must be installed on your device before it is lost or stolen to work. After installation and setup, log in to the website to locate your device. You will also have access to the device’s previous locations.

Kindle

– Available for Both Android and iOS

This app allows you to access ebooks – and magazines, newspapers, comics, mangas, and more – on your phone. While there is free content available in the Kindle store, most of the content will have to be purchased.

Libby App By OverDrive

– Available for Both Android and iOS

Honestly, this is a must-have app for all people, not just seniors. Libby connects you to your local public library to check out digital copies of ebooks and audiobooks.

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Even better, you don’t have to go to the library to check out books physically; you do it all on your device. When the book is due back, it automatically returns itself. All that’s required is that you have an active library card.

Reading Glasses – Magnifier

– Available for Android

With this app, you can use your smartphone to magnify and illuminate any fine print you may be having trouble reading. The app developers state that the image quality will depend on your phone’s camera and recommends cameras higher than 8 MP.

Glasses

– Available for iOS

Similar to Reading Glasses for the Android platform, Glasses allows you to magnify and illuminate the things you’d like to read that are too small. In addition to magnifying the world around you, this app works with your selfie camera to illuminate and magnify your face.

Words With Friends

– Available for Both Android and iOS

This is a mobile game similar to Scrabble. You can challenge friends and loved ones, no matter how much distance is between you. You can also play with strangers. This game is fun and keeps your mind sharp, which can potentially hold off age-related mental deterioration.

AARP

– Available for Both Android and iOS

The American Association of Retired Persons has a mobile app that’s free for Android and iOS platforms. The app’s features include:

  • Digital Membership Card
  • Access to and management of your account
  • Find membership discounts, events, and offers near you.

Sources: AppGrooves; Perspectives On Psychological Science; AARP

Best Seller Smartphone Apps

Check out some more best-selling smartphone apps that may be of interest to you. Amazon maintains a bestseller list of apps & games that you can check. We’ve also created a list of Amazon’s apps and games for seniors.

Bestseller No. 1
Crossword Brain - Word game free for kindle fire ~ A relaxing brain games test connect with friends...
  • Totally Free to Play Crossword word games for adults!
  • 1000+ challenging word search puzzles app for amazon kindle fire tablet.
  • Free coins at the first cross word puzzle.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Brain Games #1: Lower Your Brain Age in Minutes a Day (Volume 1)
  • Publications International Ltd. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 192 Pages - 12/15/2007 (Publication Date) - Publications International, Ltd. (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 3
Meta Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset — 128 GB Get Meta Quest 2 with GOLF+...
  • Get two bonus games when you buy Meta Quest 2. Ends 06/03/23. Upon Activation, you will receive a...
  • Meta Quest is for ages 13+. Certain apps, games and experiences may be suitable for a more mature...
  • Keep your experience smooth and seamless, even as high speed action unfolds around you with a...
Bestseller No. 4
Amazon.com Gift Card in a Black Gift Box (Classic Black Card Design)
  • Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
  • Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
  • No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards
Bestseller No. 5
Word Search IQ: Free word games for kindle fire for adults ~ A daily challenge puzzles game free...
  • Word puzzles in 25 different languages.
  • Totally Free to Play brain games!
  • Lot of challenging puzzles levels.

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