Senior Tech Questions Answered by Jason Dare

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These are real questions from our weekly technology classes for older adults and from in-home visits across San Francisco. Answers are by Jason Dare, who has taught and supported people on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android for more than 30 years. Each answer links to the full class notes.

Need help with something not listed here? Call or text (415) 240-4843, book a session online, or see our weekly senior classes.

Are emails telling me to upgrade my iCloud storage real?

Many of them are scams. Never click the link in the message. Check for yourself instead: open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud. A bar graph shows how much storage you have and how much you use. If you really need more, tap Manage Storage and choose a plan there. Read the class notes: How to sync your iPhone, iPad and Mac with iCloud.

How do I free up space on my iPhone?

Open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage. Follow the suggestions at the top and look at which apps use the most space. Turning on Offload Unused Apps (Settings, Apps, App Store) temporarily removes apps you haven't used in a month without losing their data. In iCloud storage, delete old backups from phones and iPads you no longer use. Read the class notes: How to free up iPhone and iCloud storage space.

How do I keep my iPhone, iPad and Mac in sync?

Sign in to every device with the same Apple ID. On each one, open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, and compare the list: Contacts, Photos, Calendar, Notes and other apps should be turned on in the same way on every device. Files you put in iCloud Drive (the Files app on iPhone and iPad, or Finder, Go, iCloud Drive on a Mac) are synced and backed up too. Read the class notes: How to sync your iPhone, iPad and Mac with iCloud.

How do I stop spam and junk email?

Set your filters at the source. Sign in to your email provider's website (for example gmail.com, mail.yahoo.com or outlook.com) and mark messages as spam or create filters there. Marking spam on your phone alone does not fix the underlying problem. Remember that some providers empty the spam folder automatically, Yahoo after only 7 days. Read the class notes: Email safety for seniors: spam, junk mail and inbox filters.

Is it safe to keep important documents in my email inbox?

It is not recommended. Free email providers have no obligation to recover lost or deleted messages, and most email today (IMAP) lives on the provider's server, so a computer backup such as Time Machine does not protect it. Save important attachments, like contracts and tax records, to the Documents folder on your computer. Read the class notes: Email safety for seniors: spam, junk mail and inbox filters.

What is the difference between webmail and an email app?

Webmail is email you read in a browser by going to a website such as gmail.com. An email app, like Mail on a Mac or Outlook on Windows, is software installed on your device. Either way your messages are stored on your provider's server, which is why your phone, tablet and computer stay in sync automatically. Read the class notes: Email clients vs. web-based email.

Can AI help me write emails?

Yes. In the Gmail app, Help me write drafts a reply from a short description of what you want to say. On a Mac, highlight your text in Mail, click the Writing Tools (Apple Intelligence) icon and choose Proofread to fix spelling and grammar while keeping your own voice, or Rewrite for a completely new version. Always read the result before you send it. Read the class notes: AI email tools and Apple Pay.

Should I back up my photos to both iCloud and Google Photos?

No. Use one photo backup service. Using two or three creates duplicate copies and can mean paying for extra storage. If you use Google Photos, turn off iCloud Photos, and the other way around. Read the class notes: iPhone and Android photo editing and AI tools.

Why won't my tickets add to Apple Wallet?

Many ticket websites require you to sign in first. Log in to the ticket site, then tap Add to Apple Wallet again. Wallet can hold credit cards, membership and loyalty cards, transit cards and event tickets, and event tickets disappear automatically after the event. Read the class notes: iPhone tips: Wallet, Apple Cash, browsers and widgets.

How do I set up a new Apple Watch?

First update your iPhone to the latest iOS. Turn on the watch and hold it near your iPhone; the phone offers to pair. Use the iPhone camera to scan the pattern on the watch face, choose which wrist you wear it on, and set a passcode, which you need for Apple Pay. Read the class notes: How to set up a new Apple Watch.

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