Ask HN: Elderly uncle puts phone in silente. Help?

#1

Post by flavio_x » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 8:59 PM UTC

Hello, my uncle is 70 and he sometimes puts his phone on silent and we're nota able to reach him. Is there an app that would check If his volume is maxed out every 30 min, and If It isnt, do It? Thank you.

It is an Android. It would be good If the app started working even If the phone restarted

Re: Ask HN: Elderly uncle puts phone in silente. Help?

#2

Post by gus_massa » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 9:12 PM UTC

Volume Lock: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uglyguy.volume... It's useful also if you have small children that like to use the tablet with the sound turn up to eleven.

There are a few similar apps. I think we are using that.

Re: Ask HN: Elderly uncle puts phone in silente. Help?

#3

Post by allears » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 9:44 PM UTC

Maybe he just wants some privacy. 70 isn't that old, I'm 77 and still very functional. Not all of us want to be on an electronic tether every minute of our lives.

Re: Ask HN: Elderly uncle puts phone in silente. Help?

#4

Post by allears » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 9:45 PM UTC

gus_massa wrote: post #2

Volume Lock: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uglyguy.volume... It's useful also if you have small children that like to use the tablet with the sound turn up to eleven. There are a few similar apps. I think we are using that.

That app only affects media volume, and according to the reviews, it's not very dependable. It sounds like the poster is concerned with ringer volume.

Re: Ask HN: Elderly uncle puts phone in silente. Help?

#5

Post by flavio_x » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 9:57 PM UTC

allears wrote: post #3

Maybe he just wants some privacy. 70 isn't that old, I'm 77 and still very functional. Not all of us want to be on an electronic tether every minute of our lives.

In this case, he has some dementia and doesnt do this on purpose

Re: Ask HN: Elderly uncle puts phone in silente. Help?

#6

Post by llampx » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 10:37 PM UTC

Get him a smartwatch and watch as he "forgets it" every day