Apps for Seniors to Download: before traveling

Discover the Best Apps for Travel | Download Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube & More | Must-Have Apps for Every Traveler | Simplify Your Passwords with Dashlane

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These Apps can assist you, give you pleasure, help you communicate with your family, relax and give you information.

Important information before you travel in regards to Apps

• overseas roaming including voice calls and data is expensive
• open up your phone for international roaming in case of an emergency
• make sure your accommodation has free Wi-Fi
• download WhatsApp and Skype to speak to family and friends from free Wi-Fi hotspots
• let your family and friends know that you will be communicating on Whatsapp not normal voice calls
• turn off data roaming on your phone as you leave
• organize communication times with family and friends when you will have free Wi-Fi
• send photos or videos only when you have free Wi-Fi
• use Facebook or Instagram where you have free Wi-Fi
• download a (directions app), GPS navigations application
• download your music, books – audio or reading, games, movies, and travel essential apps before you travel
• buy international data in case you have to use it

Where do I download Apps on my Smartphone or iPad/tablet

Android phones and tablets

• Open the Play Store
• Search for the app you want
• Make sure you understand if it is for free or if you need to purchase it
• Press Install or Get

iPhone and iPads

• the icon is on your home page
• tap on this icon
• on the bottom of your screen see a magnifying glass
• tap on the magnifying glass
• The search comes up at the top – type in the name of the app you want
• either click on the information to get more information
• Click on GET to download it

As the older generation, we need to examine our fears and willingness to grasp these apps available to us. Often we are quick to discard them and tell everyone that “I have done without them for many years, therefore why do I need them now”? This is an excuse as we are so terrified of the technology that we haven’t grown up with and the terminology that the youth use to explain it all to us, is incomprehensible. They also speak so fast, expecting you to be on the same wavelength that you are intimidated. Quite simply, you start believing you are stupid! Don’t believe a word of this. Just learn at your pace. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and lots of them! The more you do the more natural it all becomes.

There are millions of apps and millions more will be added. You just need a few, especially initially.

What Password should you use for your devices?

Oh no, this can be a nightmare trying to remember what password you used where! Especially as we get older, we write down our passwords on different pieces of paper, then dually forget where we wrote them!

Thanks to my son, I have solved this issue. I have joined Dashlane, which is one password to remember and my son has this password too, in case I forget that one as well.

Dashlane is the world’s best password manager. All my passwords are on Dashlane, from banking to all my apps and accounting packages. They are extremely reasonable and well worth it.

Facebook

Facebook is a delightful social platform where you can share your adventures, and pictures and receive pictures and posts from your friends and family, making your world smaller and eliminating the feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world, taking away that feeling of isolation and loneliness many seniors go through.

How to open a Facebook account, I would suggest opening it initially on either your desktop or laptop computer. Then go to the highlighted section in this paragraph and it will tell you how to do it. I find it inspiring to browse through in the evenings on my laptop when I am at my accommodation and see what everyone is up to. (Remember your password is now on Dashlane). Ask a friend or family member to take a picture of you with your phone and you can load that picture as your profile picture. Smile!

How to download Facebook onto your Smartphone

Easy! Go to your app store (as discussed above), search for Facebook, find Facebook, tap it, and then INSTALL. You already had an account on your desktop or laptop, so use the same password.

WhatsApp

Whoever thought that this would be invented! WhatsApp is an app that allows you to send and receive messages via the internet. You can also send photos AND have Facetime with your family and friends. Message and speak to family all over the world, for free, but make sure you are connected to data or the internet. No more enormously expensive international phone calls and expensive SMSs!

Benefits are – voice calls, messages, video calls, video messages, and document sharing and all are secure.

Send as long a message as you like, or speak on Facetime for ages. What is also brilliant is that you can set up different groups, so if you post something about your day’s adventures, your whole family can receive the information. In turn, your family and friends can post on a group what is going on in their lives, and you are kept up to date all the time.

Whether I am at home or traveling, this is the form of my communication!

How to download WhatsApp onto your Smartphone

This download is free! Go to your apps – search for WhatsApp. WhatsApp Messenger will pop up. Download and INSTALL. You need to press Accept, which gives WhatsApp permission to download. For this app, you need your phone number, not your email.

YouTube

YouTube is a video-sharing platform. Ask my husband! He is totally addicted! You can view videos that are related to your interests, mine being animals and different countries. It is fantastic how much one can learn from a YouTube video. On my travels, when I am totally interested in a historic period or object in a museum, I often look it up on YouTube. Prior to visiting a city in a country, watching a video about the city also gives me an idea of what I should visit within that city.

I prefer watching YouTube on my iPad but also watching on my iPhone.

How to download YouTube

On your smartphone and tablet, download from the App store as normal. This app is free.

On your desktop or laptop, go to the official website and download from there.

Google Maps is a must for every traveler

In the good old days, we used to peer over our paper maps and spend hours trying to decipher where would be going. I still believe one should purchase a paper map in case you have a problem while you are doing your touring bit, but these maps on your smartphone are life-changing. I use mine while walking, driving, or when I am on a bus or train. It talks to you and gives you clear directions on where to go. The screen directions are easy to read and view. If you are looking for restaurants, petrol stations, hotels, takeaways, chemists, attractions, and much more, you will be able to find them.

It offers satellite imagery and you can go in and get 360-degree panoramic views of the streets, also notifies you of traffic jams that are happening at that moment.

For your directions, all you do after opening your Google Maps, you type in the name of the place you want to go to. Then press START. It will show you your destination and tell you how long it will take you to get there. Make sure your directional arrow is on your screen. When you are there, you press EXIT.

Where you have internet, do your search and save it. This helps your data be used up, especially if you are overseas.

You need to tell the app how you are traveling. Car, walking, bus, or train!

How to download Google Maps

Apple Maps comes automatically with your iPhone, but personally and with others recommending it, Google Maps is easier and more efficient.

On both Android and iPhones, go to your App Store and download from there onto your smartphone.

Toilet Finder App

I am sure you will agree with me, this is a valuable app when you walk the streets of any city!

You can find the closest toilet to where you are, rate it, and even choose the one with the best review.

How to download Toilet Finder

Go to your SEARCH on your App Store. Type in Toilet Finder. Press enter. Press GET. INSTALL. OPEN. Remember to do this when you have the internet.

iTunes

They say that music alleviates stress for seniors and that going back in time with music helps people with dementia. Music is very soothing and a great pacifier. I truly love my music and find this app so appealing wherever I am. Apple Music is not expensive and the choice of your taste in music and artists are readily available.

Adore You Lyrics – this is one of my favorite songs by Miley Cyrus. Here are two verses. There are 7 in total. You must listen.

Baby, baby, yeah, are you listening?
Wondering where you’ve been all my life
I just started living
Oh, baby, are you listening?

When you say you love me
Know I love you more
And when you say you need me
Know I need you more
Boy, I adore you, I adore you …..

Amazon has some super CDs for our era and I still enjoy these while at home. The 60’s and 70’s music really takes me back in time.

How to download iTunes

Go to your App Store and SEARCH for Apple Music. Download and the INSTALL.

You will need to search for the music or artists you are looking for the GET them.

Audible

Drive, walk, sit and listen! Audible is owned by Amazon and has audiobooks and podcasts you can listen to. Sometimes this is easier than reading and places you in a private space of escapism. I adore audible, listening to my chosen books by authors I choose. On the airplane, train, ship, or in car. I must admit, when I am driving, I do drive a little bit slower than the speed limit as I want to listen longer and drag the journey out to its limit.

You do need to purchase the books you are going to listen to, but the specials and freebies are offered regularly. You pay a monthly fee and get one credit for that monthly payment, which entitles you to a book of choice.

I suggest downloading Audible on your desktop or laptop. Also on your phone. It will be linked. Use www.audible.com. There is also www.audible.co.uk and www.audible.co.au and others. You purchase the book you require on your desktop or laptop, but download and GET it on your smartphone. Use your mobile phone number so once purchased it will go start there.

Audible has a library, storing the books you have already heard. The more you listen, the more you need to remind yourself of what you have already heard.

They also start seeing which types of authors you relish and soon start suggesting similar authors and books for you.

Below are some suggested reads/audiobooks

• The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
• Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra
• Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman
• Three Daughters: A Novel by Consuelo Saah Baehr

Each author and type of book you engross yourself into is very personal. There is so many to choose from!

Showmax

Now you are really talking! Download movies or series before you leave home on your tablet, or phone! Watch offline! By doing this you are using your data from your internet, not expensive data while on your travels.

Showmax is a subscription you pay for each month and it allows you to watch on two different screens.

How to download Showmax

Go to your App Store, and SEARCH for Showmax. Open the Showmax App and download it with your email and password. (Remember you have Dashlane for your passwords). Search for the movie you want.

Uber

When you travel, you should have the Uber App on your phone. Uber is an application where you can call an Uber to come and collect you and deliver you to a destination. It is easy and fun. Even if you are with a tour company, but urgently need to get somewhere, Uber is quick and easy to use. Your ride is charged on mileage and not on time.

The one time I arrived in Cape Town and Parlement was on during that week. The car rental company I had booked with when I booked my air ticket, had given out my rental car and did not have one to replace it. I was in a state but remembered I had Uber. So I duly called for an Uber. It was there in 5 minutes and he took me to my destination.

I am not a believer in a woman traveling alone at night, therefore I do not use Uber in the evening, but many women do. If you have to choose, make sure it is a Uber Lux.

Once you have created an account you enter your destination under the “Where to” section. Tap to confirm your pickup location so the driver knows where to pick you up. Tap again to “Confirm” when you have chosen the closest driver

There are different types of cars you can choose from.

1. UberX is the cheapest ride and the car is generally a sedan. The car will have 4 doors and space in the boot to place your luggage if coming from the airport.
2. If you are in a group of 5 to 6 people UberXL is the one for your group. These are generally SUVs and larger.
3. Uber SUV is a luxurious black SUV. Black inside and out! These of course are more expensive.
4. Uber Black makes you feel like a celebrity. Uber Black drivers have to have airport permits. If I have to travel at night, I always choose an Uber Black, even though they are more expensive.
5. Uber Select is also a good choice. The drivers are highly recommended and rated and slightly more expensive than UberX. This is commonly my selection.
6. Uber Lux is the most expensive Uber ride. The cars are top luxury vehicles and the drivers have high ratings.
7. You also can choose Pool Uber riders, which as a single woman, I would not suggest as you never know who the driver will be picking up en route.
8. If you are in a wheelchair or one of your companions is, you can choose an Uber WAV.

Once you have ordered your Uber

• You will be able to see who your driver is
• The type of car
• Number plate
• You can track the journey of your driver to your location
• It will tell you how long it will take
• Make sure the Uber when it arrives matches the information you were given

When you arrive at your destination, give the driver a rating.

How to download Uber

Go to your App Store or Google Play for Android phones. You will need to give your email address and phone number then download and install.

There is an Uber Help Centre which is open 24 hours. You can get to this center on your app by going to the Help tab and clicking on Call Support.

Other necessary apps for travel

Who did you make your booking with for your vacation? Download their app. I often book with booking.com or TripAdvisor or hotel.com. Different airlines have super apps! Your boarding pass can be downloaded onto your smartphone, so you no longer need that paper pass to board. If you booked through a Travel Agent, do they have an app?

Two apps that I use repeatedly are Google Translate and Viber, especially when I visit countries that speak a different language. Many countries in the Balkans (and I know Montenegro and Serbia) use Viber more so than Whatsapp.

Other useful PREPARATION articles you can read to assist you:

• Understanding Technology that can assist Seniors in Travel
• Senior Travel: Making Initial Plans for your Trip
• What Steps to Take: Seniors let us Prepare your Journey

What about games and things to do with your grandchildren? I love Candy Crush which I love to play while on the airplane. Kindle for books to read when waiting at airports or on a cruise! You need to now search which apps you would like to download. You can do it!

Have you managed to download these apps? If you have found them easy enough, let us know in the comments section so others can have the confidence to do so too.