Questions & answers
Your questions about senior tech help, answered plainly
If you're wondering about something that isn't here, just give me a call. I'm always happy to talk it through, with no pressure.
About this page
These are the questions seniors and their families ask me most, answered plainly.
Answers by Kiran Gopinath, founder of Teach Me Tech. Last updated .
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Getting started
Do I need to know anything about technology already?
No. Most of the people I help are starting from scratch, and that is exactly who I am here for. We begin wherever you are and go at your pace. No question is too basic, and nobody is ever rushed.
What happens during a visit?
I come to your home, you tell me what is giving you trouble, and we work through it one step at a time. You do the tapping, because that is how it sticks. Before I leave, you get a printed large print guide written for your own device, kept in a binder with room for your own notes.
Do I need to prepare anything before a visit?
Just your device, its charger, and a list of what is bothering you, in any order. If you cannot remember a password or an account, that is fine. We will sort it out together.
Is it one on one, or a class?
Either one. Most of my work is one on one, just you and me at your own pace, with nobody to keep up with. When a group would rather learn together, I also teach small group classes at senior centers, clubhouses and community rooms: ninety minutes, with the last fifteen saved for questions.
What if I forget everything between visits?
That is completely normal, and it is exactly why I leave written guides and go at your pace. Forgetting a step is never a problem. Open your binder, and if the page does not answer it, tell me and we will go over it again.
Devices and skills
What I can help with
What kind of devices do you help with?
iPhones and Android phones, including Samsung and Google Pixel, iPads and tablets, Windows and Mac computers, smart TVs, smart speakers, printers, and more. If it has a screen or a plug, I can probably help. If I am not the right person for something, I will tell you.
Can you teach me to use my iPhone or Android phone?
Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons people call. We work on your own phone, not a demo, so you learn the calls, texts, photos, email and apps you actually use. We can also make the text bigger and simplify the screen so it is easier on your eyes. See Tech Help for what a lesson covers.
Can you set up a new phone, tablet or computer and move my things over?
Yes. A new device can sit in the box for weeks. I will set it up and move your contacts, photos, apps and files from the old one so nothing gets lost, then show you how to use it.
Can you help me video call my family?
Yes. I set up FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp or Google Meet, whichever your family uses, show you how to answer a call and flip the camera, and leave you a written step by step card. Holidays are a popular time for this, so call a few weeks ahead.
Can you help with email, online banking and other everyday accounts?
Yes. I help people sign in to email, their bank website or app, and other accounts they use often, then walk through the screens they will use most. We also talk about how to spot fake messages that pretend to be your bank. You stay in the driver's seat the whole time.
Can you help with my TV, streaming, wifi or smart home?
Yes. I can get your TV, remote and sound working together, find your shows on Netflix, YouTube or Prime, and set up smart speakers, video doorbells and cameras. Bigger jobs like TV mounting have set prices on the Home Setup page, with the price confirmed by phone before I come.
My computer is slow or keeps showing pop ups. Can you fix it?
Often, yes. Slow computers are usually cluttered, out of date, or carrying software that should not be there. I will clean it up, show you what to avoid, and tell you honestly if it is time to replace it. Our guide on why a parent's computer keeps getting viruses explains the usual causes.
Can you teach me to use AI tools like ChatGPT?
Yes, if you are curious. I can show you how to use an AI assistant to answer questions, draft a letter, or explain a confusing email, how to double check what it tells you because it can be wrong, and what never to type into it, like passwords or account numbers.
Do you offer visits just for company, without the tech?
Yes. Some visits are simply good company: conversation over coffee, a hand with photos, or a video call to family. See Company & Conversation, or read what a companionship visit actually covers.
Stay safe
Scams and staying safe
How can I tell if a tech support call, text or pop up is a scam?
Real tech companies do not contact you out of the blue by phone, email or text to say something is wrong with your computer, and a real security warning will not tell you to call a number. If you see one, do not click and do not call. Close it and ask someone you trust. The FTC lists the warning signs, and our five minute guide covers what to do in the moment.
What should I do if I already paid or gave someone access to my computer?
Stop talking to them and send nothing more. Call your bank or card company right away, change your important passwords from a device you trust, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Our calm recovery plan lists the steps in order.
How common are scams that target older adults?
Very common, and growing. The FBI's 2025 internet crime report shows Americans age 60 and older reported about $7.7 billion in losses, roughly 60 percent more than the year before, according to AARP's summary. Scammers count on urgency and embarrassment, so having a plan protects people better than being told to be careful. See what the numbers show for California.
What is a family code word, and does it work?
A family code word is a private word or question that only real family would know. If someone calls claiming to be a grandchild in trouble and asking for money, you ask for the word first. It works because AI can copy a voice from a short clip, but it cannot guess a secret. Print our free family code word card for the fridge, and read how the scam works.
Is it safe to let someone I do not know into my home for tech help?
It is a fair question, and you should ask it of anyone. Good signs are that they talk with you or your family first, tell you the price before they come, explain what they are doing as they do it, and never ask for gift cards, wire transfers or access to your accounts that you did not expect. That is how I work, and you are welcome to include a family member in the first call.
For adult children
Helping a parent or loved one
Can you help my parent when I cannot be there?
That is a big part of what I do. I become the patient, local person your mom or dad can call, and I send you a short visit report afterward: what we covered and what is still left. If you are flying in to help, our first visit checklist can help you plan.
How do I teach my elderly mom or dad their phone without losing patience?
Teach one thing at a time, let them do the tapping, and write each step down in plain words. Short sessions work better than long ones, and sometimes a neutral helper is easier for everyone. Our guide to setting up a first smartphone for a parent has a realistic first week plan.
Should my parent get an iPhone or an Android phone?
The best phone is usually the one your family already uses, because it makes sharing photos, video calls and answering questions easier. Current iPhones and Android phones from Samsung or Google both offer large text and simple modes, so either can work well. If you are unsure, call me before you buy and I will talk it through with you.
My parent is having memory problems. Can you still help?
Often, yes, by keeping things simple: one task at a time, large print steps, and the same routine each visit. I am not a medical professional and cannot assess memory, so please tell me what you have noticed and what the doctor has said, and I will plan around it.
Should I buy my parent a new laptop or fix the old one?
If the trouble is clutter, pop ups or a slow start, the old one can often be cleaned up for less than a new one costs. If it can no longer get security updates, or the battery and screen are failing, replacing it is smarter. I will tell you honestly which it is. Our guide to buying a new laptop or fixing the old one walks through it.
Cost and booking
Cost, booking and where I work
How much does it cost?
You pay for the time we spend together, nothing else, and I do not sell memberships or monthly plans. Call (949) 994-2407 and I will give you a straight number in under a minute, with no obligation and no pressure to book. Some jobs, like TV mounting, have set prices on the Home Setup page.
Is there free tech help for seniors in Orange County?
Yes, and it is worth using. The Senior Planet hotline at 888-713-3495 is free, runs Monday through Saturday, and answers questions in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Saddleback College's Emeritus Institute offers classes for older adults across South Orange County (ask them about cost), and many libraries and senior centers hold drop in tech sessions. Free help is great for a quick question. When you want the same person to come to your home, work on your own devices, and leave written steps behind, that is where I fit.
How is this different from a big store service or a remote support company?
A big store or remote company usually sends whoever is available, or connects over the internet. I am one person who comes to your home, teaches you on your own devices, leaves written steps, and answers the phone myself. You will always work with the same person.
Which areas do you serve?
I am based in Aliso Viejo and visit homes across Orange County, including Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, Huntington Beach and nearby communities. Visits are in person.
Do you teach classes for senior centers, clubhouses and communities?
Yes. I teach small group classes of five to fifteen people at senior centers, clubhouses and community rooms. They run ninety minutes, with the last fifteen saved for questions. If you coordinate activities for a community, see Group Classes or call to talk it through.
How do I book a visit, and when can I reach you?
Call (949) 994-2407 or use the contact page. I take calls and book visits Monday through Friday, 9 am to 8 pm, and Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm. Tell me what is giving you trouble and we will find a time that suits you. You can also email teachmetechoc@gmail.com.
Still have a question?
I'm happy to talk it through
No question is too small, and there's never any pressure. Give me a call or send a quick email.
(949) 994-2407