Are there apps for seniors that work on a regular iPhone or Android tablet?
Yes. Elsy is an app you download from the App Store or Google Play, and she works on regular iPhones, iPads and Android phones and tablets with no extra equipment. All you need is an internet connection. You talk with her, so there are no menus to find your way around, and you can try Elsy on your own phone before you decide.
Looking for something that works on the iPhone or Android tablet you already have, without any extra equipment? Here's how Elsy can help.
Why does compatibility matter?
For many older adults it can be hard to keep up with new technology. So it helps when a tool like Elsy works on the phone or tablet you already know, with no new hardware to buy or learn. And most older adults are already online: according to Pew Research Center, 89 percent of Americans 65 and older use the internet. It makes sense for help to be on the device you already use. See also which digital tools are out there for older adults.
How does Elsy work on a regular iPhone or Android tablet?
Elsy works on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets. You download the app from the App Store or Google Play, and you can start talking with Elsy right away. Every feature, from reminders and medicines to daily conversations and life stories, works without any extra equipment. All you need is an internet connection.
Simple setup
Installing Elsy works like installing any other app. There's no complicated setup: you open the app, look through a few short pages about what Elsy can do, give your permission and tap Talk to Elsy. If you're not used to downloading apps, ask someone in your family for help. A family member can also set Elsy up for you from a distance.
“And I have to say, Elsy came as a real surprise. It's easy to say 'Elsy', but it's ten times simpler than it sounds.”
Helge, 72, talks with Elsy (translated from Danish)
What you get with no extra equipment
Reminders, medicines and life stories all work on the phone or tablet you have. That can make it easier to manage more of your day yourself and to stay in touch with your family. And if you need help getting started, you're not alone: in a Pew Research Center survey, about three in four Americans 65 and older said that when they get a new device, they usually need someone else to set it up or show them how to use it.
Wherever your phone goes
Elsy goes where your phone goes, at home or out and about, as long as you have an internet connection. On newer versions of the app, you can also put Elsy on your phone's home screen as a small widget and start a conversation with one tap.
How can Elsy help in everyday life?
Elsy can help you organize your day by setting reminders and keeping track of your medicines. You can also talk with her about what's going on, and when you tell her about your life, she writes down your life stories. That can make the things that are hard to remember easier to handle.
Staying on top of your day
Elsy helps you remember important appointments and errands. Say something like "Remind me to call the doctor tomorrow at 9," and the reminder arrives as a notification on your phone. If you've turned on Sync with calendar, it also goes into your phone's calendar. See more examples of reminders and daily routines.
How to get started
Download Elsy from the App Store or Google Play on your iPhone, iPad or Android, open the app and tap Talk to Elsy. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone. Here's how Elsy works, step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Does Elsy work without the internet?
No. Elsy needs the internet to hear you, answer and look things up, so your phone needs to be on Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Which devices does Elsy work on?
Elsy works on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets, and you download the app from the App Store or Google Play. You don't need any extra equipment.
How is Elsy different from other AI assistants?
Elsy is made for older adults, with a focus on simplicity. You talk with her in ordinary sentences, she remembers what you tell her, and she writes down your life stories. Read more about how AI assistants made for older adults differ from general ones.
This is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk to a doctor about yours.