Week 12:  Smartphone Tips for Staying Connected

In this week's lesson, we will look at staying connected using our phones.  

We will discuss messaging apps, group chats, sharing images and videos with your phone, location sharing and privacy and safety. This will be done using device specific handouts and small groups based on your device.

We will also discuss in the main classroom some issues such as tips and safety and troubleshooting common messaging issues.

If there is time, we will look at two common messaging apps, WhatsApp and Facebook

Today we’re diving into one of the easiest and most powerful ways to stay in touch using your smartphone: text messaging. Whether you're using an iPhone or an Android phone, knowing how to send and receive messages helps you stay connected with the people who matter most — your family, friends, neighbors, and even your doctor.

Messaging is valuable for everyone.  It allows us to stay in touch instantly.  Using text, we can send a quick hello, ask a question, or check in with loved ones without making a phone call.  Texting is perfect when a call isn’t convenient (like at the doctor’s office or when someone is busy).  It is also a way to easily receive family photos, reminders, grandkid achievements, or even appointment confirmations. It can help you to feel connected.   A short message can brighten your day and help you feel part of the conversation, no matter where you are. And, unlike a phone call, texts give you time to read, think, and respond at your own pace.

For each of the messaging systems (iPhone, Samsung and Google), I have created a guide for basic texting and group texting.  There is also a video for each of these.  We will break into small groups and look at our own device as we practice the steps suggested.  

Each handout has five sections:

o Getting started with messages

o Creating a group chat

o Sharing photos and videos from your phone

o Sharing your location

o Safety and privacy including privacy settings, blocking unwanted calls and reporting spam

Below, you will find the handouts (with a link to a video).  You will choose one of these handouts to help you in the class.

Links to handouts for each device

Messages (iPhone): Handout

 Messages/Samsung Messages (Android): Handout 

Google messages (Android, non Samsung): Handout 

NOTE:  Some Samsung users may have switched to Google Messages.  In that case, you might use that handout.

Troubleshooting Common Messaging Issues

❌ 1. Message Not Sending

✅ Try These Steps:

• Check your signal or Wi-Fi:

  • Messages need a connection to send. Look for bars or a Wi-Fi symbol at the top of your screen.

• Restart your phone:

  • A quick restart often solves small problems.

• Make sure the number is correct:

  • Double-check for typos in the phone number or contact.

• Check if it’s an iMessage or SMS issue (iPhone only):

  • Go to Settings > Messages:

    • Turn iMessage ON if texting another iPhone.

    • Turn Send as SMS ON to send regular texts when iMessage isn’t available.

💡 If a message shows "Not Delivered" or a red exclamation mark, tap and hold the message and choose “Try Again” or “Send as Text.”

👥 2. Group Chat Problems

Common Problems:

• “I can’t see all the replies.”

• “Only some people are getting my messages.”

• “Someone left the group without meaning to.”

✅ Solutions:

• Check if everyone is using the same platform:

  • Group chats between iPhones (blue bubbles) work differently than mixed groups (iPhone and Android — green bubbles).

  • Some features (like reactions, naming the group) may not work across different platforms.

• If messages are missing:

  • Ask everyone to update their messaging app.

  • Make sure you haven’t muted or blocked anyone accidentally.

• On iPhone: Open the chat > tap the group name > make sure you haven’t turned off alerts.

• On Android: Tap the three dots > check conversation Details or Notifications.

🔄 3. Messages Only Show on Phone or iPad (Not Both)

✅ Why This Happens:

• iPhones, iPads, and Macs can sync messages using iMessage, but this only works if:

  • All devices use the same Apple ID.

  • All are connected to Wi-Fi or data.

  • iMessage is turned on in Settings > Messages > iMessage.

  • Text Message Forwarding is enabled for your iPad (found in iPhone settings under Messages).

✅ To Fix:

1. On your iPhone:

   • Go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.

   • Turn ON your iPad (or Mac) in the list.

2. On both devices:

   • Make sure you're signed into the same Apple ID.

3. Restart both devices.

💡 If you use both iPhone and iPad, messages may still appear in one place first depending on which device is active.

🔄 4. Android and iPhone Compatibility

What to Know:

• iPhones use iMessage (blue bubble). Android uses SMS or RCS (green bubble).

• Mixed groups (iPhone + Android) don’t allow:

  • Tapback reactions (may appear as text like “Mary liked your message”).

  • Group naming or adding/removing people easily.

✅ Tips for Mixed Device Groups:

• Use a shared app like WhatsApp, Signal, or Facebook Messenger for a smoother group chat experience across platforms.

• These apps are free and work on both Android and iPhone.

• You can find information on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger later in this lesson

📲 How to Get WhatsApp

If it's not already on your phone:

1. Open the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone).

2. Search for WhatsApp Messenger.

3. Tap Install or Get.

4. Once installed, tap Open.

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🛠️ Setting Up WhatsApp for the First Time

1. Open WhatsApp.

2. Tap Agree & Continue to accept the terms.

3. Enter your phone number and tap Next.

4. You’ll receive a text message with a code – enter it when prompted.

5. Add your name and a photo (optional).

6. Tap Next — you’re in!

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💬 Sending a Message

1. Tap the green Chat icon in the bottom right corner.

2. Tap on a contact's name, or tap New contact to add someone.

3. Type your message in the white box at the bottom.

4. Tap the Send icon (a paper airplane) to send.

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📎 Sharing Photos or Videos

1. Tap the paperclip icon (Android) or + icon (iPhone).

2. Choose Gallery (Android) or Photo & Video Library (iPhone).

3. Select a photo or video.

4. Tap the Send button.

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🎤 Sending a Voice Message

1. Press and hold the microphone icon next to the text box.

2. Speak your message.

3. Let go when you’re done — it will send automatically.

✅ Tip: If you accidentally send it, you can delete it by tapping and holding the message, then tapping the trash can.

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📞 Making a Free Call

Voice Call:

1. Open a chat with someone.

2. Tap the phone icon at the top right.

Video Call:

1. Tap the video camera icon at the top right of the chat screen.

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🔕 Managing Notifications

1. Tap the three dots (top right corner on Android) or Settings (bottom right on iPhone).

2. Go to Notifications.

3. Choose your preferred sounds or mute group chats.

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👥 Creating a Group Chat

1. Tap the New Chat icon.

2. Select New group.

3. Choose the people you want to add.

4. Give the group a name (e.g., “Family” or “Book Club”).

5. Tap Checkmark or Create.

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🧹 Deleting or Archiving Chats

• To delete: Tap and hold the chat > Tap Trash can or Delete.

• To archive: Tap and hold the chat > Tap Archive to hide it without deleting.

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🛡️ Staying Safe

• Never reply to unknown contacts asking for personal info.

• You can block or report people by opening the chat > Tap the person’s name > Scroll and select Block or Report.

• Only download media from people you know.

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💡 Helpful Tips

• Messages are end-to-end encrypted, which means they are private and secure.

• You can change the font size in WhatsApp settings for easier reading.

• WhatsApp works worldwide — great for keeping in touch with friends and family far away!

📲 How to Get Facebook Messenger

If it's not already on your phone:

1. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android).

2. Search for Messenger (look for the app by Meta).

3. Tap Install or Get.

4. Once installed, tap Open.

🔐 Logging In

1. When you open Messenger, it will ask you to log in.

2. Tap Continue as [Your Name] (if you're logged into Facebook on your phone).

3. If not, enter your Facebook email and password to log in.

💬 Sending a Message

1. Tap the pencil and paper icon in the top right corner to start a new message.

2. Type the name of a Facebook friend.

3. Tap their name to open a conversation.

4. Type your message in the white box at the bottom.

5. Tap the send icon (paper airplane) to send it.

📎 Sending Photos, Videos, or Voice Messages

• Tap the camera icon to take a new photo or video.

• Tap the photo icon to send something from your gallery.

• Tap the microphone icon, hold it down while speaking, and release to send a voice message.

📞 Making Voice or Video Calls

1. Open a conversation with a friend.

2. Tap the phone icon to make a voice call.

3. Tap the video camera icon to make a video call.

All calls are free as long as you're connected to Wi-Fi or have a data plan.

🧠 Important to Know: Messages from People You Don’t Know

• Sometimes strangers may try to message you on Messenger.

• If someone who is not your Facebook friend sends a message, it may appear in a special place called Message Requests (not your main inbox).

• Messenger will say: “This person is not on your friend list. Accept or Ignore?”

🚨 Be Cautious:

• Never give out your phone number, bank info, or passwords to strangers.

• Be careful of people with fake profiles, especially if:

  • Their profile photo looks too good to be true.

  • They say they are in the military, a doctor, or ask for money.

  • Their message seems suspicious or urgent.

✅ What You Can Do:

• Tap Ignore or Block if you don’t know the person.

• Tap Report to let Facebook know it might be a scam.

🛠️ Adjusting Notification Settings

1. Tap your profile picture in the top left of the Messenger app.

2. Select Notifications & sounds.

3. You can turn sounds on or off, or mute conversations if they get too busy.

✉️ Deleting or Archiving Messages

• Tap and hold a message or conversation to bring up options like:

  • Delete

  • Archive (hide the conversation but don’t delete it)

✅ Summary – What Messenger Can Do:

💬 Chat:  Send texts to Facebook friends

📸 Photo/Video:  Share memories with pictures and videos

🎤 Voice Message:  Send short recordings of your voice

📞 Call:  Make voice or video calls for free

❌ Block: Stop unwanted messages or strangers

🛡️ Report:  Let Facebook know if something seems wrong

🌟 Helpful Tips

• You must have a Facebook account to use Messenger.

• It’s safe when used with family and friends — just be careful with messages from people you don’t know.

• If you get confused or unsure about a message, ask someone you trust before responding.