iOS 18 update allows users to remotely take control of family members’ phones to help solve tech issues

Apple's iOS 18 update lets you remotely control a family member’s device.

If you're the go-to tech guru of your family, this one's for you.

After countless attempts to explain what to tap and where to go, sometimes it’s just easier to take the phone and do it yourself.

Now, thanks to Apple's iOS 18, you can remotely control a family member’s iPhone or iPad, making it simple to walk them through tech issues.

As long as both you and the person you're helping are using an iPhone running iOS 18 (or an iPad with iPadOS 18), you can take control of their screen and show them exactly what to do.

Here's how to get started.

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First, call your family member or friend that you're helping on FaceTime. When they answer, request screen sharing by tapping on the Share button and selecting Ask to Share.

Then, let them approve it. They can do this by tapping Share on their screen. Once they do, you’ll see their iPhone screen appear in your FaceTime window.

At this point, you can guide them by drawing on their screen to highlight buttons or even tapping to animate circles that show them exactly where to go.

If you want to them where the new software update is, you can simply draw an arrow to the Settings icon or draw a circle around the app.

However, if pointing things out isn’t enough, you can take full control of their iPhone or iPad.

While on your FaceTime video still, tap the Control button in the bottom-right corner, or top-right corner on an iPad.

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Ask them to tap the Allow button on their screen and you will see the words 'Ready to Control' on your device and they will see 'Remote Control Active' on theirs.

Once approved, you can fully navigate their phone as if you were holding it yourself.

Remember though, enabling this remote control doesn't lock them out of their phone, they will still be able to use it.

Also, there's no crossover between iPhones and iPads, meaning you can only control an iPhone if you’re using an iPhone, and the same goes for iPads.

Once they’ve got it figured out, you can stop remote control by tapping the Control button on your screen. They can also stop it anytime by tapping Stop on theirs. To completely end screen sharing, they just need to tap Share again.

Technology really is the best!