How to help parents and relatives with their phone or computer from anywhere

Should you use FaceTime or GuidedView?

FaceTime screen sharing is free between Apple devices, and it is a good choice when both people have an iPhone, iPad or Mac and are comfortable with FaceTime. Apple lists iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1 or macOS 12.1 as the minimum for screen sharing. On iOS 26 and later, two iPhone users can also share screens during a one-to-one call in the regular Phone app, and a trusted contact can request remote control of the shared screen. Those options do not reach everyone. Android and Windows users can join a FaceTime call from a web browser, but Apple says screen sharing is not available in FaceTime on the web. GuidedView covers those gaps: a parent can share an Android phone, an iPhone or a computer while you talk on any phone line, and you can watch from a browser on whatever phone or computer you have. GuidedView costs $29.99 a month, while Apple's tools are free.

For a closer look at the Apple options, see GuidedView vs FaceTime and GuidedView vs Apple's Phone app.

What does your relative actually have to do?

From your relative's side, the first session looks like this:

1. You call them

   Stay on the call the whole time, because GuidedView has no voice of its own.

2. They open your text or email

   You send the invitation from the GuidedView portal, and they open it on the phone or computer they need help with.

3. First time on a phone, they install the free app

   On iPhone or iPad, the link goes to the App Store if the GuidedView app is not installed. After installing, they go back to your original text and tap the invitation again. Android uses the free GuidedView app for Android. A computer needs no download.

4. They confirm it is you and tap Share

   The invitation asks them to share only if they are on a call with you right now.

5. They approve the device prompt

   On iPhone, Apple shows a red recording or broadcast indicator while sharing. Tell them in advance that this is normal.

6. You guide, they tap

   You see their screen and tell them what to tap. You cannot tap for them, so they learn the steps as they go.

How do you stay patient when helping a parent with technology?

• Name the place, then the word. "Bottom right corner, the blue word Done" works better than "tap the button."
• Ask them to read before they tap. Hearing the screen text out loud catches wrong turns early.
• One step per sentence. Wait until the screen changes before giving the next instruction.
• Let them drive. It takes longer than doing it yourself, but they will remember more of it next time.
• Keep a short notebook. Write down what you changed so the next call starts from facts.
• Schedule a regular check-in. A weekly call to clear notifications and install updates prevents a lot of emergencies.

How do you protect a relative from tech support scams?

Screen sharing is also a favorite tool of scammers, so teach the safety rules while you set up help. In its 2025 Internet Crime Report, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center counted 21,333 tech and customer support scam complaints from people age 60 and older, with about $1.04 billion in reported losses.

• Legitimate tech companies do not contact you by phone, email or text about problems with your computer, according to the FTC.
• Real security pop-up warnings never ask you to call a phone number.
• Never share your screen with someone who contacted you out of the blue. Share only with family, or with businesses you called or already know.
• Be suspicious of anyone who insists on payment by gift card or cryptocurrency; the FTC notes scammers often do.
• Never read a password, verification code or bank login out loud, even to family.

GuidedView's design backs these rules up. Every invitation asks your relative to share only if they are on a call with the sender right now, the helper can only watch and never take over, each link works once, and your relative can pause or stop at any time. None of that makes screen sharing with a stranger safe, so the rule stays the same: only share with someone you trust. Our guide to sharing your screen safely covers more warning signs.

What can you help with this way?

• Setting up a new phone and checking that photos and contacts came across
• Making text larger and turning down notification sounds
• Signing in to a patient portal or pharmacy app, with sharing paused for the password
• Checking whether a text, email or pop-up is a scam before they tap anything
• Installing updates and clearing a storage full warning

Is GuidedView worth $29.99 a month for a family?

It depends on the devices. If everyone in the family has Apple devices and is comfortable with FaceTime, Apple's free screen sharing is the better deal, and we would tell you to use it. GuidedView earns its price when the person you help uses an Android phone or a Windows computer, when you want to watch from whatever device you have, or when you help several relatives on different devices. Your relatives never pay.

Billing is monthly and you can cancel anytime from the portal, so you can subscribe while a parent gets used to a new phone and cancel when the calls slow down. Start with how GuidedView works, share the safety page with your relative, or read our guide to helping elderly parents with technology remotely.