5 iPhone Features Every Carer Should Know
Caring for someone is a busy job. The last thing you need is fiddly tech getting in the way. The good news? iPhones have loads of hidden features that can make life easier for both you and the person you care for.
The problem is, hardly anyone knows they’re there! So here are 5 simple tools that are built into the iPhone already — explained step by step, with no jargon, so you can try them out straight away.
1. VoiceOver – the iPhone talks back
What it does:
VoiceOver makes the iPhone read out whatever’s on the screen. Perfect if the person you’re caring for struggles with their sight.
How to switch it on:
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Open the Settings app (the grey gear icon).
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Tap Accessibility.
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Tap VoiceOver.
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Tap the switch to turn it on (it’ll go green).
⚠️ Heads up: once it’s on, the iPhone works a bit differently — you tap once to highlight something, then double-tap to actually open it. Try it yourself first so you can show them how it works.
2. Magnifier – turns the iPhone into a magnifying glass
What it does:
Struggling to read tiny print on a medicine label, letter, or food packet? The Magnifier uses the camera to zoom right in.
How to switch it on:
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Go to Settings.
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Tap Accessibility.
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Tap Magnifier.
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Tap the switch to turn it on.
Now, triple-press the button on the right-hand side of the phone and it’ll open instantly. You can slide your finger up and down the screen to zoom.
3. Bigger Text – no more squinting
What it does:
Makes the writing across the iPhone bigger — in messages, menus, and apps.
How to set it up:
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Open Settings.
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Tap Accessibility.
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Tap Display & Text Size.
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Tap Larger Text.
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Slide the bar until the words are easy to read.
💡 Tip: do this together — what looks big enough to you might still be too small for them.
4. Voice Control – use the iPhone hands-free
What it does:
Lets you control the iPhone just by talking. You can say things like “Open Messages” or “Go Home” and the phone listens.
How to switch it on:
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Open Settings.
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Tap Accessibility.
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Tap Voice Control.
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Tap Set Up Voice Control and follow the steps.
Now you can just say commands out loud. Start simple — “Open Mail” or “Go Home” — and build from there.
5. Announce Calls & Messages – never miss who’s calling
What it does:
The iPhone can say out loud who’s ringing or read out messages so the person doesn’t have to grab the phone quickly.
How to set it up for calls:
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Go to Settings.
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Tap Siri & Search.
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Tap Announce Calls.
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Choose Always.
For messages:
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Go to Settings.
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Tap Notifications.
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Tap Announce Notifications.
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Turn it on.
Wrapping up
These little tricks can make a big difference day to day. Start with the one that solves the biggest headache — maybe it’s reading small print, maybe it’s missing calls — and go from there.
The iPhone has loads more hidden gems like this. If you’d like a hand setting them up, I offer friendly, one-to-one sessions in Birmingham and across the West Midlands. You can find out more at www.homenable.co.uk.