Ranked: Best iPhone 17 Pro Max settings for older users
By the AllThingsMobile team Published 7 min read
Quick answer
If you want to make an iPhone 17 Pro Max easier for an older South African to use, start with bigger text, a simpler Home Screen, Medical ID and emergency contacts. The best setup is the one that makes calling fast, mistakes less likely and help easy to reach.
The best iPhone 17 Pro Max settings for older users are Medical ID, Phone Favourites, bigger text and a simpler Home Screen. If easy calling and emergency help matter most, set those up first and test them with a real call before you hand the phone over.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts from R27,999 at Incredible Connection, so it is a premium choice. Its big 6.9-inch display can help with reading and tapping, but many people will only get value from it if they actually use the accessibility tools properly.
1. Set up Medical ID and emergency contacts first
If you change only one thing, make it this. Medical ID can show key health details and emergency contacts from the lock screen if you allow it.
How to set it up
- Open the Health app.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap Medical ID.
- Tap Edit.
- Add details like medical conditions, allergies and medications if needed.
- Under Emergency Contacts, tap add emergency contact.
- Choose a person from Contacts and select the relationship.
- Turn on Show When Locked.
- Tap Done.
Worked example
Example: Add a daughter on 082 555 0147 and a neighbour on 083 444 2281 as emergency contacts. That gives you a second person to try if the first one is driving, in a meeting or out of signal.
This ranks first because it helps even when you cannot open the phone. A cleaner Home Screen is useful, but emergency access matters more.
2. Make calling one-tap simple with Phone Favourites
Most older users do not need every contact easy to reach. They need a short list of the people they call most, plus the Phone app always visible.
Set up Favourites
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap Favourites.
- Tap the + button.
- Select a contact.
- Choose call for the number you want.
- Repeat for close family, a doctor, a carer or a security company.
Best Dock layout for easy calling
- Phone
- Messages
- Camera or Contacts
Example: Put Daughter, Son, GP and Neighbour in Favourites. Then keep Phone, Messages, WhatsApp and Camera in the Dock so the main apps stay visible on every Home Screen page.
This is the best daily-use change for someone who mainly uses a phone to call family. If you want broader buying advice, our guide to the best simple phones for older South Africans in 2026 is a useful comparison.
3. Increase text size and turn on Bold Text
If the user squints, holds the phone far away or taps the wrong thing, start here. Bigger text and stronger contrast usually help straight away.
How to make text larger
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Display & Text Size.
- Tap Larger Text.
- Turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes if needed.
- Move the slider until the text feels comfortable.
How to turn on Bold Text
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Display & Text Size.
- Turn on Bold Text.
A good starting point is one or two steps above the default size, with Bold Text on. Very large text can make some menus cramped, so test Phone, Messages and Settings after you change it.
4. Simplify the Home Screen and hide extra pages
A busy Home Screen leads to missed taps and confusion. The fix is fewer apps, fewer pages and a plain layout.
Best simple Home Screen layout
- Keep only the main apps on page one.
- Move rarely used apps to page two or the App Library.
- Use a plain wallpaper so app names stand out.
- Leave some space between icons if that helps accuracy.
- Keep the Dock for the four most-used apps.
How to hide extra Home Screen pages
- Touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen.
- Tap the page dots near the bottom.
- Untick pages you do not want visible.
- Tap Done.
You are not deleting the apps. You are only hiding extra pages, which is safer if the person still needs banking, WhatsApp or a shopping app now and then.
If the iPhone still feels too busy, a cheaper and simpler phone may be the better fit. Our best value phone setup for older South Africans in 2026 guide is a good next read.
5. Use Assistive Access if the normal iPhone layout is still too complex
Assistive Access is the strongest option if the regular iPhone interface feels overwhelming. It gives you a much simpler view with larger items and a smaller set of apps.
Who should use it
This works best for someone who mainly needs calls, messages, photos and a few trusted apps. It is not ideal for a confident user who often changes settings, uses many apps or does a lot of online banking.
How to turn it on
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Assistive Access.
- Tap Set Up Assistive Access.
- Choose the apps you want available.
- Follow the prompts to finish setup.
This is where the iPhone 17 Pro Max earns its keep for some families. The large 6.9-inch display helps, but the real benefit is that you can strip the phone back to the basics.
6. Adjust touch and alert settings for shaky hands or missed calls
If the user opens the wrong app, hangs up by mistake or misses calls, touch and alert settings can help. These are useful extras, but they should come after the core changes above.
Touch Accommodations for inaccurate taps
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Touch.
- Tap Touch Accommodations.
These options can make the phone ignore very brief accidental touches or require a more deliberate press. Test carefully, because too much adjustment can make the phone feel slow.
LED Flash for Alerts and louder call settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Audio & Visual.
- Turn on LED Flash for Alerts.
You should also choose a ringtone that is easy to hear and increase ringtone volume in Settings > Sounds. If calls still get missed, test signal strength at home on the network the person actually uses.
Best setup order for an older iPhone 17 Pro Max user
Do the basics first, then make a real call and ask the person to answer it, call back and open their main apps. That is the fastest way to spot what still feels confusing.
| Rank | Setting | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical ID and emergency contacts | Helps in an emergency, even from the lock screen |
| 2 | Phone Favourites | Makes everyday calling faster |
| 3 | Larger Text and Bold Text | Improves readability straight away |
| 4 | Simpler Home Screen | Reduces mistakes and confusion |
| 5 | Assistive Access | Best for a very stripped-down iPhone |
| 6 | Touch Accommodations and LED alerts | Useful for shaky hands or missed calls |
If you are still deciding between models, compare the iPhone 17 Pro Max specs and prices with the iPhone 17 Pro. The Pro Max has the larger screen, while the 17 Pro starts from R23,499 at Amazon.co.za.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an iPhone 17 Pro Max easier for seniors?
Start with Medical ID, Phone Favourites, Larger Text, Bold Text and a simpler Home Screen. If the normal layout is still too confusing, switch to Assistive Access.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max a good phone for older users?
Yes, if you want a large 6.9-inch screen and you will take time to set it up properly. No, if you just want the cheapest simple phone, because from R27,999 it is a premium option.
Should I buy the iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max for an older person?
The Pro Max is better for reading and tapping because the screen is larger. The iPhone 17 Pro is easier to hold and starts from R23,499, so it may suit someone who wants a smaller phone.
What is the best iPhone setting for emergency contacts?
Medical ID is the key one. Add at least two emergency contacts and turn on Show When Locked so helpers can see the details without opening the phone.
What if the iPhone 17 Pro Max still feels too complicated?
Try Assistive Access first. If that still does not solve the problem, a cheaper and simpler phone may be a better fit than a flagship iPhone.
