How to set up a tablet for a grandparent who's never used one

You bought your grandma an iPad. You want her to use it for FaceTime, photos, and maybe some games. You do not want her to use it for Bitcoin or accidentally subscribe to twelve newsletters.

Here is the setup that makes the difference between "she loves it" and "it lives in the drawer."

Step 1: Set it up before you give it

This is the single most important rule. Do not hand a sealed iPad to a grandparent. The Apple setup screens are the part that loses them.

If you can spend an hour setting it up yourself before you give it:

1. Charge it.
2. Power on. Go through the setup screens.
3. Sign in with their Apple ID (or create a new one).
4. Skip all the prompts (Apple Pay, Siri, Find My, iCloud Drive). They can be enabled later.
5. Connect to her WiFi if you have it. Otherwise it will pair the first time she opens it at home.

Step 2: Big text, big icons, less stuff

Go straight to Settings:

• Display & Brightness > Text Size. Slide it bigger.
• Display & Brightness > Bold Text. On.
• Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text. Toggle "Larger Accessibility Sizes" and slide further.
• Accessibility > Zoom. Skip unless they have vision issues. It is more confusing than helpful.
• Accessibility > Touch Accommodations. Skip unless they have dexterity issues.

Step 3: Clear the home screen

The iPad ships with dozens of apps. Remove anything they will not use:

1. Long-press any app icon.
2. Tap "Remove App."
3. "Remove from Home Screen" (the app still exists but is not visible).

Keep these. Remove everything else:

• FaceTime (the main reason for the iPad)
• Photos
• Messages
• Safari
• Mail
• News (if they read)
• Camera
• Settings

Remove: Stocks, Books, Watch, Music, Compass, Files, Notes, Reminders, etc. Add back over time if requested.

Step 4: Set up the apps they will actually use

Sign in to:

• FaceTime. Add yourself, their other grandkids, and key family to Favorites.
• Photos. Make sure iCloud Photos is on, so family photos shared with them auto-appear.

If they read books, set up the Kindle app and sign in with your Amazon account. Add a few books. Pre-loaded content makes the device feel inviting, not empty.

If they like games, install simple ones: Solitaire, Sudoku, Wordle, a tile-matching game. Skip anything with in-app purchases.

Step 5: Block in-app purchases and accidental subscriptions

This is the safeguard most people skip. Without it, one accidental tap on a free app can turn into a $9.99/month subscription you discover three years later.

1. Settings > Screen Time. Turn it on.
2. Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn on.
3. iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-app Purchases > Do Not Allow.
4. Installing Apps > Do Not Allow (you can install for them on visits).

Step 6: Set the wallpaper to something they love

This is small but matters. Put a photo of the grandkids as the lock screen wallpaper. The first time they wake up the iPad, that face is what they see. That is the dopamine.

Step 7: Print the instruction card

Stick a laminated index card to the back of the iPad case:

Your iPad
1. Press the button to wake up.
2. Tap your photo or swipe up to unlock.
3. Tap "FaceTime" to call the family.
4. Tap "Photos" to see new photos.
5. If something breaks, call Tech Help at (855) 758-6884.

Step 8: The first call

FaceTime them the first day they have it. Do not just give it to them and hope. The first FaceTime call from the iPad you set up is the moment it goes from "thing in a drawer" to "thing on the kitchen table."

From there it becomes part of their routine. Then they will start asking for more (a card game, a recipe app). That is the goal.

What to do when they call you with iPad issues

Most iPad issues are one of three things:

1. The screen is locked and they cannot get past it. Walk through their passcode or Face ID. If forgotten, you may need to reset.
2. An app froze. Swipe up from the bottom, hold halfway, swipe up on the app card to close it.
3. WiFi disconnected. Same as WiFi issues on any device.

If you do not want to be the call, give them a number that picks up. Read how to teach parents to use FaceTime and how to set up a new iPhone for related setups.