Your first smartphone
Large text, a loud ringtone, emergency calls and a screen lock: the settings to start with so your phone is comfortable to use every day.
digital life without stress
SG21 — digital life without stress
The smartphone stopped being a gadget long ago and became part of everyday life: we use it to call our children and grandchildren, book a doctor's appointment, pay for shopping and look at family photos. For many older people this is not easy — not because of age, but because devices are designed without much thought for those who started using them recently. We have gathered calm, clear explanations in one place: what to set up first, how to keep in touch with your family, how to handle money and documents on your phone, and how to recognise a scammer. No rush, no jargon and no advertising.
Making a mistake on your phone is nothing to fear: almost any tap can be undone. Just remember one rule — never tell anyone your SMS codes or passwords.
Where to start
Keeping in touch
Video calls, messages and photos: a practical article on calmly setting up video calls with your children and grandchildren.
Money and public services
The banking app and the Russian Gosuslugi public-services portal in general terms: what you can do there, how to sign in safely and what never to do.
Beware of scammers
Calls "from the bank", urgent requests to transfer money, SMS codes: short answers and a collection on keeping your money safe.
Reference sections
- Topics
A map of the reference: the smartphone, keeping in touch, money and documents, safety.
- Practical
Video calls with the grandchildren: how to set them up without worry. Plus a catalogue of upcoming articles.
- Questions
Short answers: smartphone settings, calls and photos, money, documents and scams.
- Collections
Reading paths: your first week with a smartphone, tips for children and grandchildren, keeping money safe.
- Reference
A glossary of plain-language definitions: the smartphone, internet and connections, safety.
- New
A dated feed of new articles in the reference.
- Archive
All reference materials by date and topic.
Five settings worth starting with
Large text
In the display or accessibility settings you can make letters and icons bigger. Choose a size that lets you read messages comfortably, without glasses or with your usual ones.
Volume and vibration
Turn the ringtone up and switch on vibration so you do not miss calls when the phone is in a bag or another room. Check that silent mode is not switched on.
Emergency calls
Remember 112 — the single emergency number in Russia and across the EU; if you live elsewhere, use your local emergency number. Many smartphones have an emergency call feature and a medical ID that can be seen even on the lock screen. Ask your family to help you fill it in.
Screen lock
Set a code that is easy for you but not obvious to others, or use your fingerprint. Avoid your date of birth and repeated digits: those codes are the first ones people guess.
Back up your contacts
Switch on backup for your contacts and photos. If the phone is lost or broken, your family's numbers will not disappear with it.
Common questions in brief
Is this the Gosuslugi portal or a bank's website?
No. SG21 is an independent reference. We are not connected with government bodies, banks, mobile operators or social services. You cannot book a doctor, pay for services or sign in to any personal account through our site.
Can I call you for help?
No. The reference has no telephone helpline, and we never call anyone ourselves. If someone says they work for SG21 and asks for codes or money, it is a scam. Our job is to explain things on the pages of this site, not to help over the phone.
Do you recommend which phone to buy?
We do not name brands or models and we do not publish rankings. Instead, we explain what to look for: a comfortable screen size, a loud speaker, a long-lasting battery, a simple screen lock and the option to make text larger.
What should I do if someone calls "from the bank"?
Hang up. A real bank employee will never ask for an SMS code, your PIN, the code on the back of your card or a password. Then call your bank yourself on the number printed on the back of your card and ask whether they called you.
About the project
SG21 is an independent reference project. This domain was previously used for unrelated advertising; the current reference has no connection with it and repeats none of the former content. We read the name as "a citizen's guide to the 21st century".
We write for older people and for the children and grandchildren who help them get to grips with technology. The reference explains general principles and does not replace the manufacturer's guide, banks' official websites or the Gosuslugi portal. Examples on the site are hypothetical, and the menus on your device may look different.
Sources
- Bank of Russia — financial literacy materials
- Gosuslugi public services portal — help
- EMERCOM of Russia — safety leaflets
- Smartphone manufacturers' accessibility guides
Information is current as of the preparation date. Smartphone menus and settings change with system updates, so the names of options on your device may differ. Look for exact steps in your phone manufacturer's guide, and for the rules of your bank and the Gosuslugi portal on their official websites.