Hold your phone so the screen faces you. On most iPhones, look at the right-hand edge for a long, flat button (called the Side button).

*Note: If your phone is smaller or older, this button might be on the very top edge.*

Put your finger on that button and press it down firmly. Keep holding it. Do not let go too fast. Count slowly to five: “one… two… three… four… five…”

Keep your eyes on the dark screen. You should see a white apple shape (the Apple logo) appear right in the middle.

As soon as you see that apple, you can lift your finger off the button.

The phone needs a minute or two to wake up completely. Just let it sit and do its job. There is nothing else you need to touch.

Don’t worry if the word “Hello” keeps changing into other languages you don’t know. That is just the phone saying hello to the world! Here is how to open it:

• If your phone has a round button below the screen: Press that round button once. It will click gently, and the screen will change.
• If your phone does NOT have a round button: Look at the very bottom edge of the screen for a tiny horizontal line. Place one finger there and slowly slide it straight up toward the middle of the screen, like you are pushing a piece of paper away from you.

Now, a list of languages will appear. Scroll through the list, find English (or your preferred language), and tap it once. Next, it will ask for your country—tap your country name too.

Shortly after the language screen, the phone will ask you to connect to the internet (Wi-Fi). This is required to wake the phone up completely. If you don’t know your home Wi-Fi password, now is the perfect time to ask a family member or neighbor to type it in for you!

If you only see the big clock, the phone is waiting for you to wake it up. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge (or press the round Home button once). This will bring up a grid of numbers from 0 to 9.

Tap each number of your passcode lightly with your fingertip, just like pressing a button on a calculator. The passcode is usually 4 or 6 numbers long. Common ones given to seniors are birth years (like 1960) or simple lines, but yours may be unique.

If the numbers shake and the screen clears, it means a wrong number was tapped. Don’t worry—take a breath and try again more slowly. The phone will not lock you out for making a simple mistake.