Choose around the person’s most important repeated task and the barrier that makes it difficult. A smartphone is a route for portable calls and short tasks; try a tablet if a larger touchscreen may feel more comfortable, or a laptop or Chromebook if typing, forms and browser work dominate. Whichever device you consider, have the person try their essential tasks and arrange help with setup and ongoing use before they rely on it for essential services.
Someone who wants a manageable way to contact others and repeat a small set of online tasks without getting lost among unfamiliar screens or prompts. Ofcom identifies low digital confidence as a barrier to using online services in the UK.
Someone whose ability to read, hear, hold or control a device depends on settings such as larger text, spoken feedback, captions or touch adjustments. The useful settings depend on the person and the exact device.
Someone who needs help from a family member or local support service to set up accounts, practise using forms or arrange account recovery. Good Things Foundation lists places offering help with internet and technology use across the UK.
Start with the task the person most needs to complete, then check whether they can comfortably control the device and get help when something changes. The device routes below are alternatives for different tasks; accessibility settings and support matter whichever route you take.
Consider it when: Calls, messages and a few short, familiar tasks need to travel with the person.
Trade-off: A small touchscreen may be awkward for lengthy forms or precise typing; a simplified interface needs to be configured and tried with the user.
Consider it when: The person wants to try a larger touchscreen for reading, video calls or a limited set of visual apps.
Trade-off: More screen space does not remove unfamiliar account prompts or the need for help with setup and updates.
Consider it when: Long forms, writing, education or browser-based work call for a keyboard.
Trade-off: The person must also be comfortable navigating websites, windows and sign-in steps; test their essential services on the exact device.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Manageable everyday tasks | Try the person’s repeated calls, messages and essential apps. Check whether the home screen can stay clear and familiar. | If unfamiliar menus make even a routine task daunting, I need a screen I can recognise each time. Roughly 33% of consumers would put a manageable interface first. |
| Comfortable access | Try text size, sound or captions, touch controls, grip and unlocking on the exact model. | If reading, hearing or controlling the device is uncomfortable, I need adjustments that work for me. Around 27% of consumers would make physical or sensory access their primary concern. |
| Forms and writing | Test the required websites and sign-in steps, then try typing a paragraph and completing a form. | If my regular tasks involve long forms or education work, short mobile interactions are not enough. About 20% of consumers would prioritise keyboard and web-task control. |
| Setup and continuing help | Agree who can help with accounts, updates and recovery; contact a local support service before depending on it. | When an unexpected prompt could stop me using an essential service, I need someone I trust to help me continue. Roughly 20% of consumers would put ongoing support and safe use first. |
A device that works well for calls may still be difficult for banking, forms or account recovery. Ofcom’s UK research identifies low confidence, accessibility barriers and discomfort with unsuitable devices as obstacles to digital participation.
Before buying, let the person try a call or message, an essential service, text resizing and the unlock process on the candidate device.
Apple notes that some functions work differently in Assistive Access. Samsung UK says available accessibility settings can vary by phone model and software version.
Check the exact model and settings with the person, then practise both using the chosen controls and returning to a familiar screen.
An unexpected password prompt or update can interrupt use when no one knows how to help. The National Cyber Security Centre also says software and app updates contain important security fixes.
Agree who will help, keep software updated and arrange secure account-recovery details. Use a strong, separate email password and consider two-step verification where suitable.
Good Things Foundation says support varies locally; its National Device Bank works through local organisations rather than providing devices directly to individuals.
Contact a hub before visiting to ask about beginner help, appointments, setup, connectivity assistance and any eligibility criteria.
An iPhone or iPad may be worth exploring when a focused interface and a small set of chosen apps or contacts would help.
ChromeOS is a route to examine when browser-based services, education, email or keyboard work are central.
Galaxy phones and tablets offer another route for someone assessing Android accessibility controls.
These Chromebooks are options to consider for typing and browser-led tasks; the tablet is an option to try for a larger touchscreen. Compare each with the person’s essential tasks and access needs rather than treating this selection as covering every device route.
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Consider this Chromebook if the person’s recurring tasks involve typing or browser-based forms; try their essential websites and sign-in steps before choosing it.
14-inch WUXGA display (1920 × 1200); Intel Core i3-1315U; 8GB RAM; 256GB SSD; Iron.
Check the accessibility controls the person needs on the exact device and arrange setup help if required.
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Consider this Chromebook for regular writing or web-based tasks if the person is comfortable practising keyboard use and browser navigation.
14-inch display; Intel Core i3 N305; 8GB RAM; 256GB eMMC; Grey.
Try essential websites and confirm the required accessibility settings on the exact device before buying.
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Try this tablet with the person if a larger touchscreen appeals for their everyday online tasks; check how they handle their essential services on it.
8G RAM; 128GB storage; Wi-Fi.
Check the accessibility controls they need and make sure Wi-Fi access is available wherever they intend to use it online.
Choose according to the person’s most demanding regular task: a phone for portable contact and short tasks, a tablet to try a larger touchscreen, or a Chromebook for sustained typing and browser work. Let the person attempt their own essential tasks on the exact device; Ofcom’s UK research identifies confidence, accessibility and discomfort with unsuitable devices as barriers to digital participation.
They can help when a specific setting addresses the person’s difficulty, but the setting needs to be tried in practice. Apple describes a focused Assistive Access interface, while Google and Samsung document a range of display, spoken-feedback and interaction controls; available features and navigation can depend on the device or software version.
Good Things Foundation lists local Digital Inclusion Hubs offering technology support across the UK. Contact a hub before visiting to ask what help is available: devices and data are not guaranteed, and its National Device Bank provides devices through local organisations rather than directly to individuals.
Arrange a trusted person or support service to help with accounts, updates and recovery, and practise the tasks the device will be used for. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends software updates, a strong separate password for email and two-step verification for online accounts; choose security steps the user can manage with their agreed support.