Christmas Guide

The Christmas Tech MOT: help your parents in one calm session

Visiting family over Christmas often includes a tradition almost as reliable as the Quality Street debate: the tech support session.

Slow Wi-Fi. Printers that “just stopped”. A phone that’s suddenly “doing a thing”. This year, don’t fire-fight — do a Yearly Tech MOT instead. One proper session now can prevent weeks of stress later.

Use the checklist below. Start at Step 1 and work down.

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1) The Safety Net (do this first)

Before you update anything, protect the important stuff — especially photos and WhatsApp chats.

Back up photos

• iPhone / iPad (iCloud Photos): Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Photos → turn on Sync this iPhone/iPad.
• Android (Google Photos): Google Photos → Profile icon → Photos settings → Backup → turn it on.

Back up WhatsApp (people forget this)

• WhatsApp (iPhone): WhatsApp Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → Back Up Now.
• WhatsApp (Android): WhatsApp → More options (⋮) → Settings → Chats → Chat backup → Back up.

Digital legacy (uncomfortable, but genuinely helpful)

• Apple: Settings → [your name] → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact.
• Google: Set up Inactive Account Manager at the official Google Account page.

2) Updates & house-keeping (now it’s safe)

Turn on updates

• iPhone / iPad: Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates
• Android: Settings → System → System update (and Play Store → Manage apps → Update all)
• Windows: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates

The “squint test” (make it usable)

While you’re in settings, reduce daily frustration:

• Increase text size
• Increase display zoom (iPhone)
• Turn on keyboard vibration / haptics (if they like it)

Small changes = fewer mistakes = fewer “it’s broken” moments.

3) The Security Shield (remove scam traps)

Install an ad/content blocker

This prevents most fake download buttons and scam pop-ups.

• Best option: Firefox + uBlock Origin (strongest blocking)
• If they use Chrome/Edge: use uBlock Origin Lite.

The two UK “magic numbers” (write these down)

• 159 — if someone calls claiming to be “the bank”, hang up and dial 159 to reach your bank safely.
• 7726 — forward suspicious texts here (fake delivery fees, “HMRC”, parcel scams).

Password hygiene (keep it realistic)

• Gold standard: a password manager (Bitwarden / 1Password)
• Minimum standard: email and banking passwords must be unique

If they won’t use an app, a written notebook kept securely can be safer than one weak password reused everywhere.

4) Money saving: the Wallet Audit

Cancel “zombie” subscriptions

• iPhone: Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions
• Android: Play Store → Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions

Broadband sense-check

Run a quick test (search “Speedtest”). If they’re paying premium prices for poor speeds, they may be out of contract. Also check social tariffs if they’re eligible (often much cheaper).

5) Set up Remote Rescue (save future car journeys)

Windows (my favourite): Quick Assist

Press Win + Ctrl + Q to open Quick Assist. You can securely view the screen and (with permission) control it.

iPhone / iPad / Mac: Screen sharing

During a FaceTime call you can share screen so you can see what’s happening (even if you can’t directly control it).

Cross-platform option

Chrome Remote Desktop can work well when you’re mixing Windows/Mac in the family.

6) Quick hardware “physio” checks

• Charging port won’t charge? Pocket lint is often the culprit. Use a wooden cocktail stick (never metal) to gently clear it.
• TV looks like a soap opera? Turn off motion smoothing. Look for TruMotion / MotionFlow / Auto Motion Plus in Picture settings.
• Wi-Fi weak? Move the router out from behind TVs, radiators, thick ornaments, and corners. Height + open space helps.

7) The Fridge List (print this)

A final note: teach, don’t just do

If you grab the device and fix everything at lightning speed, you haven’t helped — you’ve trained the next panic call.

Slow down. Let them tap the buttons. Explain as you go. Write down the steps for the two or three things they do most often.

Merry Christmas from Marple Tech Help.