How Many Seniors Have Smartphones? Key Statistics and Trends
Updated:
Open Access
91% of U.S. adults own a smartphone. Smartphone ownership now spans every age group, including older adults.
For adults ages 50 to 64, 15% rely mainly on their smartphone technology for internet access. For those 65 and older, that number rises to 17%. In addition, 70% of adults 65+ have home broadband service.
Key Insights
Smartphone ownership reaches 90% among adults ages 50 to 64 and 78% among those 65+, though 16% of older people still use a basic cell phone instead.
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While 90% of adults age 65+ are now internet users, 10% still remain offline, compared to just 14% who were internet users in 2000.
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Among adults aged 50+, 81% browse the web, 80% use digital communication tools, and 79% shop online using websites or mobile apps.
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Among adults 50+ living with a chronic condition, 69% use technology such as health or fitness tracking tools, and 61% use digital technology like telemedicine services to manage their care.
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Nearly three in four adults age 50+ use social media, with 74% active on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.
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What Percentage of Older Adults Own Smartphones?
90% of adults ages 50 to 64 own a smartphone. Among adults 65 and older, 78% own a smartphone. While 95% of adults 65+ own a cell phone, 16% use a basic cell phone and not a smartphone.
Which Smartphone System Do Older Adults Use?
Android is the most widely used operating system on cell phones for seniors aged 50 and older, followed closely by Apple’s iOS. Only a small portion use Microsoft, and some are unsure which system their smartphone runs.
What Percent of Adults 65+ Do Not Use the Internet?
As of 2025, 90% of adults aged 65 and older say they use the internet. That means 10% of adults 65+ do not go online.
Internet use among older adults has risen sharply over the past two decades. In 2000, only 14% of adults 65+ used the internet. Today, online access is the norm for most older Americans, though a small digital gap remains.
How Do Seniors Use Smartphones in Their Daily Lives?
Among adults aged 50 and older, 81% browse the internet, 80% use digital tools to communicate, and 79% shop online through a website or mobile app. Many also use built-in functionality such as maps, weather apps, banking services, and health tools directly from their mobile phone.
How Seniors Use Smartphones to Manage Health and Wellness
Around 48% of adults aged 50 and older agree that new technology enables them to lead a healthy life. For adults ages 70 to 79, that figure rises to 57%, while 45% of those age 80 and older say the same.
Among adults 50+ with a chronic condition, 69% use health tracking or fitness tools, 62% use medical services apps, 61% use telemedicine, and 47% use chronic health management tools to monitor and manage their well-being.
Social Media Usage Among Older Adults
Social media is now a regular part of smartphone usage, alongside phone calls and texting. About 74% of adults 50+ use social media platforms, with YouTube and Facebook leading among this age group.
Tech Device Ownership Among Adults 50+
According to a recent report, adults aged 50 and older own an average of seven tech devices, including a smartphone, tablet, and smart TV.
Smart TVs, laptops, and tablets are now standard devices in many households headed by adults aged 50 and older. Wearable devices are also becoming more common among adults aged 50 and older, especially for tracking health and daily activity.
Smartphone Spending and Upgrade Trends Among Adults 50+
In 2024, 26% of adults aged 50+ bought a smartphone, and 62% upgraded their phone within the past two years. Overall, 67% made at least one tech purchase in the past year, spending an average of $753.
But cost remains a factor. Two in five adults age 50+ said they delayed buying a tech product due to financial pressure. Smartphones, laptops, and wearables were among the most commonly postponed purchases.
Bottom Line
Smartphone ownership among seniors continues to grow, but adoption goes beyond basic communication. Today, 63% of adults aged 50+ use at least one smart home device, and 46% use home safety technology to add security and peace of mind.
Two-thirds, or 66%, say technology enriches their lives and makes daily tasks easier. At the same time, 60% are not willing to pay for digital services they currently get for free. Interest in new tools remains steady, with AI use among adults 50+ doubling from 9% to 18% in one year.
These numbers show that older Americans are increasingly tech-savvy and selective. They adopt tools that support independence, safety, and quality of life while skipping what they do not find useful.
Fair Use Statement
If you have practical insight or personal experience using a smartphone or cell phone as a senior, you can share it with us at [email protected]. Any personal information you provide will remain confidential.
Sources
- Pew Research Center – How Use of Online Platforms Differs Among U.S. Demographic Groups (Evaluated 21 February 2026)
Link Here - AARP – 2025 Tech Trends and Adults 50-Plus (Evaluated 21 February 2026)
Link Here - Pew Research Center – Demographics of Mobile Device Ownership (Evaluated 21 February 2026)
Link Here - Pew Research Center – Demographics of Internet and Home Broadband Usage (Evaluated 21 February 2026)
Link Here - Pew Research Center – Demographics of Social Media Usage and Adoption (Evaluated 21 February 2026)
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