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Your mother does not know how to send a photo on WhatsApp. Your father does not understand why the video call is not working. You have already explained three times and you are starting to lose patience.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. According to a study by Credoc published in 2024, 87% of people aged 60-69 and 62% of those aged 70 and over own a smartphone in France. But owning a smartphone and knowing how to use it are two very different things. And WhatsApp, despite its apparent simplicity, remains confusing for many seniors.
This guide is for you, the helping children. It gives you a concrete, step-by-step method to support your parent on WhatsApp. With patience, clarity and the right approach, it works.
Before you start: the three golden rules
Rule 1: the right moment
Do not try to teach WhatsApp to your parent during a family meal, between activities or on the phone. Plan a dedicated time slot, ideally in person, in a quiet place, without distractions. Allow one hour for the first session. This is not wasted time: once WhatsApp is mastered, daily communication will be so much simpler.
Rule 2: active patience
Your parent is not “bad at technology”. They are discovering a world whose codes are foreign to them. Imagine being asked to fill in an administrative form in Mandarin: you would need time and kindness. It is the same for your parent with WhatsApp.
Do not take the phone out of your parent’s hands to do it yourself. Guide their fingers, demonstrate on your own screen, but let them perform each action. Muscle memory is retained better than visual memory.
Rule 3: a paper cheat sheet
Prepare a small paper document with the main steps illustrated with screenshots. Your parent can refer to it when you are not there. This is not patronising, it is practical. Even professionals use cheat sheets.
Step 1: installing WhatsApp
On an Android phone (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.)
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Open the Play Store. This is the app with a colourful triangle on a white background. If your parent cannot find it, it is often in the app drawer (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
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Search for WhatsApp. Tap the search bar at the top, type “WhatsApp” and tap the magnifying glass. The first result should be “WhatsApp Messenger” with a green and white logo.
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Install the app. Tap the “Install” button. The download takes a few seconds on Wi-Fi. Once finished, the button changes to “Open”.
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Open WhatsApp. Tap “Open” or find the new green icon on the home screen.
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Accept the terms. Tap “Agree and continue”.
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Enter the phone number. WhatsApp asks for your parent’s phone number. Check that the number is correct (with the country code +33 for France). Tap “Next”.
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Validate the verification code. WhatsApp sends an SMS with a 6-digit code. On most recent phones, the code is detected and entered automatically. If not, open the SMS app, note the code and return to WhatsApp to type it in.
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Create the profile. Enter your parent’s first name and optionally add a profile photo (tap the camera icon).
On an iPhone
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Open the App Store. This is the blue icon with a white “A”.
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Search for WhatsApp. Tap “Search” at the bottom right, type “WhatsApp” and tap “Search” on the keyboard.
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Install the app. Tap “Get” then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your Apple password.
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Follow the same steps 4 to 8 as for Android.
Practical tip: if your parent has a new phone, do this installation during the initial setup. It is simpler to configure everything in one session.
Step 2: sending a first message
This is the key moment. The first message sent successfully gives confidence for what follows.
Finding a contact
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Open WhatsApp (green icon on the home screen).
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Tap the new message icon. On Android, it is the green circle with a chat bubble icon at the bottom right. On iPhone, it is at the top right.
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Choose a contact. The list shows people from the phone’s address book who use WhatsApp. Ask your parent to find you in the list. If your name does not appear, check that your number is saved in their address book.
Writing and sending the message
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Tap the text field at the bottom of the screen. The keyboard appears.
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Type your message. For a first attempt, something simple like “Hello, this is my first WhatsApp message!” works well.
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Tap the send button (green arrow to the right of the text field). The message appears in a green bubble on the right side of the screen.
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Wait for the reply. Reply immediately from your phone so your parent can see the reply bubble appear in real time. This is an important moment of satisfaction.
The confirmation ticks
Explain to your parent what the ticks next to each message mean:
- One grey tick: the message has been sent but has not yet arrived on the recipient’s phone.
- Two grey ticks: the message has arrived on the recipient’s phone.
- Two blue ticks: the recipient has read the message.
This explanation avoids a lot of stress. Many seniors worry when the ticks remain grey, thinking the message did not work.
Step 3: making a video call
The video call is often the most anticipated feature for seniors. Seeing the face of their children or grandchildren from a distance is what motivates many parents to use WhatsApp.
Starting a video call
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Open the conversation with the person you want to call (no need to create a new conversation if you have already exchanged messages).
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Tap the camera icon at the top right of the conversation. This is the button for the video call. The phone icon next to it is for a voice call (no video).
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Wait for the other person to answer. You will first see your own face on the screen, then your contact’s face when they answer.
During the call
Switch between front and rear camera. The icon with two circular arrows (often at the bottom of the screen) lets you show what you see in front of you instead of your face. Useful for showing the garden, a cooked dish or the dog.
Mute or unmute the microphone. The microphone icon lets you mute yourself if you need to speak to someone else in the room.
Hang up. The red button at the bottom of the screen ends the call.
Common problems
“I cannot see my face.” The front camera may be disabled. Tap the crossed-out camera icon if it appears.
“The other person cannot hear me.” Check that the microphone is not muted (crossed-out mic icon) and that the phone volume is turned up.
“The image is choppy.” The Wi-Fi is probably weak. Move closer to the internet router or ask your parent to connect via Wi-Fi rather than 4G.
Francois, 71, shares on the Emmaus Connect blog in 2025: “My daughter showed me the video call on a Sunday. On Monday, I called my granddaughter in Lyon all by myself. I was proud as a peacock.”
Christine, 73, offers a more measured view on the Notre Temps forum in January 2026: “Video calls are great when they work. But when the Wi-Fi is slow, the image freezes and there is a delay. That is frustrating.”
Step 4: sending a photo
Sharing photos is one of the joys of WhatsApp for seniors: the garden in bloom, the Sunday cake or a visiting grandchild.
Sending a photo that is already on the phone
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Open the conversation with the person you want to send the photo to.
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Tap the ”+” icon (iPhone) or the paperclip icon (Android) to the left of the text field.
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Select “Gallery” or “Photos and videos”.
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Choose the photo you want to send by tapping it. You can select several.
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Add a comment (optional) in the text field at the bottom.
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Tap the send button (green arrow).
Taking and sending a photo directly
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Open the conversation.
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Tap the camera icon to the right of the text field.
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Take the photo by tapping the white round button at the bottom of the screen.
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Confirm by tapping the send arrow. The photo is sent immediately.
Practical tip: show your parent how to hold the phone horizontally (in landscape mode) for better photos. Many seniors hold the phone too close to the subject, resulting in blurry photos.
Step 5: creating a family group
The family group is often the reason WhatsApp gets installed on a parent’s phone. It is a space where the whole family can share messages, photos and news at the same time.
Creating the group
The group is best created by you (the helping child) rather than by your parent.
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Open WhatsApp on your own phone.
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Tap “New group” (Android: three dots at the top right then “New group”; iPhone: “Chats” then compose icon at the top right then “New group”).
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Select the members: your parent, your siblings, grandchildren who have WhatsApp. Tap “Next”.
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Give the group a name. Something simple and recognisable: “The Smith Family”, “Mum Dad and the kids”. Avoid names that are too long.
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Add a group photo (optional). A recent family photo helps your parent identify the group in the conversation list.
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Tap “Create”.
Explaining how the group works to your parent
The concept of a group can be confusing for a senior used to one-on-one phone conversations. Explain clearly:
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Everyone sees everything. When you send a message in the group, all members see it. It is like speaking in a room where the whole family is gathered.
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Notifications can be numerous. If 8 people are in the group and each sends 3 messages a day, that is 24 notifications. Show your parent how to mute the group if notifications become bothersome: long-press the group in the conversation list, then “Mute”.
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The difference between the group and a private conversation. Your parent must understand that to send a personal message to one person only, they need to go to the individual conversation with that person, not the group.
Encouraging your parent by keeping the group active
The first few days are essential. Send simple, engaging messages that encourage your parent to reply:
- A photo with the question “Guess where we are?”
- “Who is coming for Sunday lunch?”
- A photo of the grandchild with a comment
Respond to your parent’s messages with enthusiasm, even if it is just an “Ok” or an emoji. Each successful interaction builds their confidence.
Essential settings to configure for your parent
Enlarging the text
The default text in WhatsApp is often too small for seniors.
On Android: WhatsApp > three dots > Settings > Chats > Font size > Large.
On iPhone: Phone Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size > move the slider to the right.
Configuring notifications
Your parent needs to know when a message arrives, without being overwhelmed.
Enable notifications for important conversations: in WhatsApp settings, make sure notifications are enabled.
Mute noisy groups if needed: long-press the group > Mute > 8 hours, 1 week or Always.
Enabling automatic backup
To avoid losing photos and messages if the phone is changed.
On Android: Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Back up to Google Drive > Daily.
On iPhone: Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Auto backup > Daily.
Managing storage
WhatsApp accumulates received photos and videos, which can fill up the phone’s memory. Show your parent how to disable automatic media downloads in group chats if storage becomes an issue: Settings > Storage and data > Media auto-download.
Mistakes to avoid as the helping child
Do not do everything for your parent. It is tempting to go fast, but if you perform every action yourself, your parent will never learn. Guide, demonstrate, but let them do it.
Do not overload with information. One session = one skill. First session: sending a message. Second session: video call. Third session: sending a photo. Do not try to do everything at once.
Do not use jargon. Do not say “swipe”, say “slide your finger”. Do not say “screenshot”, say “screen capture”. Do not say “bug”, say “technical problem”.
Do not get annoyed if your parent forgets. Repetition is part of learning. The third explanation may be the one that sticks. If you feel frustration rising (yours or your parent’s), take a break.
Do not underestimate fears. Many seniors are afraid of “breaking” their phone by pressing the wrong button, of being spied on, of receiving unwanted messages or of paying without knowing it. Take these concerns seriously and reassure with facts: WhatsApp is free and encrypted, you cannot break a phone by pressing a button, and contacts are only people from the address book.
If your parent is truly stuck
Free digital workshops
Many organisations offer free digital workshops for seniors: town halls and social action centres, public libraries, France Services offices (more than 2,700 across France according to the government in 2025), and associations such as Emmaus Connect or Les Petits Freres des Pauvres.
These workshops have the advantage of being led by digital mediation professionals trained in teaching senior audiences. And your parent will be with other people of the same age, which takes the pressure off learning.
Remote assistance
If you live far from your parent, tools allow you to see their screen remotely and guide them by voice. On Android, Google’s “Quick Share” app allows remote screen control (with your parent’s consent). On iPhone, FaceTime combined with screenshots sent by message can help.
Editorial note
Sources consulted: Credoc (Digital Barometer 2024 - senior smartphone ownership rates), WhatsApp official FAQ, Emmaus Connect website (digital workshops), Notre Temps blog (user testimonials), French government France Services website.
Limitations of this guide: WhatsApp interfaces change with updates. The screenshots and button locations described correspond to the version of WhatsApp available in March 2026. On older versions or very old phones, some elements may differ. This guide does not cover WhatsApp Business or advanced features (statuses, channels, payments).
Verification date: 26 March 2026
Conflicts of interest: none. WhatsApp is free and does not pay this site. Any affiliate links to smartphones relate only to recommended devices.
Questions fréquentes
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Yes, WhatsApp is completely free. There are no subscriptions or hidden fees. Messages, voice calls and video calls use your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data). If your parent is connected to Wi-Fi at home, WhatsApp calls cost nothing beyond the existing internet subscription.
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No, WhatsApp requires a smartphone (a phone with a touchscreen). If your parent still uses a basic phone, they will need to switch to a smartphone. Simplified models like the Doro 8210 (around 200 euros) are designed for seniors with large icons and a simplified interface.
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Yes, WhatsApp is linked to a mobile phone number. Your parent must have a SIM card with an active phone number to create an account. WhatsApp contacts are automatically the people in the phone's address book who also use WhatsApp.
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A WhatsApp video call uses about 5 MB per minute, or roughly 300 MB per hour. On Wi-Fi, this is no problem at all. On 4G, check that your parent's mobile plan includes enough data. A 5 GB per month plan is more than enough for moderate use.
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On Android, open WhatsApp, tap the three dots at the top right, then Settings, then Chats, then Font size, and choose Large. On iPhone, the text size is adjusted in the phone's general Settings: Settings then Display & Brightness then Text Size.
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WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, which means only the sender and the recipient can read the messages. Neither WhatsApp nor anyone else can see them. Reassure your parent by explaining that it is more secure than a standard text message.