Choosing the right Doro phone
Guidance on picking the best Doro phone or model for seniors, dementia care, or as a gift.
What kind of phone shop is Doro and who is it for?
Doro is a Swedish company that designs phones and safety products specifically for older people, sold direct in the UK and Ireland. It makes big-button feature phones, simplified Android smartphones, home phones and the Response by Doro assistance button, built for hearing, eyesight, dexterity and safety needs. It suits people 65+ wanting a mobile phone for elderly users, and the adult children or carers who often buy on their behalf.
What is the best mobile phone for someone with dementia?
The Doro Leva X10 is designed specifically for people with dementia, short-term memory problems or other cognitive and dexterity issues. It has four large, clearly labelled speed-dial buttons with no menu navigation, limits incoming calls to trusted contacts only, and includes medication reminders and settings a carer can lock remotely.
Should I get my mum a flip phone or a smartphone?
It depends on how confident she is with touchscreens: the Doro Leva flip phones (L10, L20, L30, E10, E20, E30) suit someone who wants a simple, easy to use mobile phone with physical buttons and a familiar flip-to-answer action, while the Doro Aurora A10, A20 and A30 are simple smartphones for elderly users who still want WhatsApp, video calls and a camera. Both have large displays and loud, clear sound.
Will a Doro phone work with my dad's hearing aids?
Yes, every Doro phone is a hearing aid compatible phone, with M and T ratings listed on each model's product page. Doro phones also use ClearSound technology for loud, clear audio, and the Doro PhoneEasy 100w cordless home phone has an audio boost button that lifts handset volume by up to 30dB when a call is hard to hear.
Can you use WhatsApp and video calls on a Doro phone?
Yes, on the Doro Aurora smartphones (A10, A20, A30), which run Android with a simplified Doro interface and support WhatsApp and video calls. The Doro Leva flip phones do not run apps, so WhatsApp isn't available on those models; choose Aurora if staying in touch via WhatsApp or video calling matters most.
How do I stop scam calls on my mum's phone?
The Doro Leva X10 can limit incoming calls to trusted contacts only, which is the most reliable way to block unwanted and scam calls on a Doro phone. Doro also publishes blog guidance on spotting phone scams and suspicious text messages, which is useful alongside choosing a phone with call-blocking built in.
Does the emergency button call 999?
No, the assistance button alerts family or friends you've chosen as responders through Response by Doro, it is not a professional emergency service and cannot be set to call 999 or 112 directly. The first responder to accept is automatically connected to the phone by voice call in speaker mode, so there's no need to answer the Doro phone itself.
What happens when you press the button on the back of the phone?
Pressing and holding the Doro Secure Button on the back of the phone for three seconds, or pressing it three times quickly, sends a personalised SMS with the phone's location to up to five chosen contacts and then calls them in sequence until someone answers. It's part of the free Response by Doro service, which lets family help remotely too.
Will it work with her current SIM and keep her number?
Yes, Doro phones work with pay-as-you-go, SIM-only or existing contract SIMs, no Doro contract is needed, and you can transfer her existing number. All Doro mobile phones on the webshop are SIM-free 4G phones taking a nano-SIM and working with UK and Irish networks.
Is the screen and text big enough for poor eyesight?
Yes, Doro phones are built with large, high-contrast keys and displays designed for people with poor eyesight, and Doro tests products using vision simulation glasses that replicate different eye conditions. The Aurora A30 has a 6.1-inch display for extra room, while the Leva flip phones use widely separated, high-contrast physical keys.
Can I set the phone up for my parent before giving it to them?
Yes, you can insert the SIM, set up contacts, add speed dials and configure the Doro Secure Button or Response by Doro responders before handing the phone over. On Aurora smartphones you can also set up TeamViewer QuickSupport so you can continue helping remotely once they're using it.
Will this phone still work after 2G and 3G are switched off?
Yes, the current Doro Leva and Aurora phones are 4G phones, so they keep working after the 2G and 3G switch-off. Note that 4G calling (VoLTE) also needs a SIM and network that support it, so check this with her network provider if that matters.
Is there a phone for someone who keeps forgetting to charge it?
Doro's charging cradles let you simply place the phone down to charge with no cables to connect, making it easier for someone to remember, and it's safe to leave a Doro phone in its cradle since charging stops at 100%. Cradles are available for several models including the Leva L20/E20 and Doro 6820 and 5860.
How do I choose between Doro and other senior phone brands like Emporia, Nokia or TTfone?
Doro is a Swedish company that designs phones only for older people, with features like hearing aid M and T ratings, high-contrast keys, flip designs, charging cradles, and an assistance button linked to Response by Doro for family alerts. We can't speak to how other brands' features compare, but Doro phones come with UK phone support, free printed manuals and a 24-month warranty.
Can I help my parent with their phone from my own home?
Yes, Doro Aurora smartphones include TeamViewer QuickSupport so family can help remotely, and with Response by Doro you can adjust settings like ringer volume from your own smartphone without being there in person. If they need help urgently, pressing the assistance button also connects them to a responder automatically by voice call.
Is Doro better than just giving them an old iPhone?
Doro phones are designed only for older people, not a mainstream phone with a larger font turned on, with loud ClearSound audio, hearing aid ratings, high-contrast large keys, flip designs for dexterity, and an assistance button that alerts family, none of which an older general-purpose smartphone is built around. Whether that suits your parent better than a mainstream phone depends on their needs and how comfortable they are with newer technology.
Is a Doro phone a good gift for an elderly parent or grandparent?
Yes, Doro phones are designed as a mobile phone for elderly users and make a practical gift, especially the Leva big-button feature phones or the Aurora simple smartphones. You can set the phone up with contacts and settings before giving it, and it works with the recipient's existing SIM, pay-as-you-go plan or contract so their number stays the same.
What's the difference between the Doro Leva and Doro Aurora ranges?
The Doro Leva range (L10, L20, L30, E10, E20, E30) covers big-button flip and bar-style feature phones for people who want a simple, physical-key phone, while the Doro Aurora range (A10, A20, A30) are simplified Android smartphones that support WhatsApp, video calls and apps. Choose Leva for a classic easy-to-use mobile phone, Aurora if you want a simple smartphone for elderly users who still want apps.
What does Doro actually sell and who is it for?
Doro makes easy-to-use phones and safety products designed specifically for older adults, sold direct in the UK and Ireland. The range includes big-button Leva flip and bar feature phones, the dementia-friendly Leva X10, simplified Aurora smartphones, big-button home phones, the Response by Doro assistance button, plus chargers, cases and accessories. It's built for people with hearing, eyesight or dexterity needs, and for family members buying on their behalf.
What is the best Doro phone for someone with dementia?
The Doro Leva X10 is designed specifically for people with dementia, short-term memory problems or other cognitive and dexterity issues. It has four large, clearly labelled speed-dial buttons for calling key contacts without menu navigation, can limit incoming calls to trusted contacts only, and includes medication reminders and a safety timer, with settings a carer can lock.
Does the Doro emergency button call 999?
No, the assistance button does not call 999 or 112 directly. It alerts the family or friends you've chosen as responders through Response by Doro, sending them a text with location and then calling them in sequence until one answers, so it works alongside, not instead of, emergency services.
Can I set up a Doro phone for my parent before giving it to them?
Yes, you can set up contacts, speed dials and settings on a Doro phone before handing it over, and on Aurora smartphones you can also install apps like WhatsApp in advance. Once it's with your parent, Response by Doro lets you continue adjusting settings like ringer volume remotely from your own smartphone.
Will this phone still work after the 2G and 3G switch-off?
Yes, all current Doro Leva and Aurora phones sold on the webshop are 4G phones, so they'll keep working after the 2G and 3G networks are switched off. Note that 4G calling (VoLTE) also needs a SIM and network plan that supports it, so it's worth checking this with her network provider.
Is the screen and text big enough for someone with poor eyesight?
Yes, Doro phones use large, high-contrast keys and big text as standard, designed and tested using vision-simulation glasses to understand how different eye conditions affect clarity and field of view. The Leva flip phones have widely spaced physical keys, while Aurora smartphones use Doro's simplified large-icon Android interface on screens up to 6.1 inches on the A30.
Is it safe to leave a Doro phone in its charging cradle all the time?
Yes, it's safe to leave a Doro phone in its charging cradle continuously, as charging automatically stops once the battery reaches 100%. The cradle also means there's no fiddly cable to plug in each time, just place the phone down to charge and pick it up when heading out.
Can I help my parent with their phone remotely from my own home?
Yes, Doro Aurora smartphones include TeamViewer QuickSupport so family can remotely view and help with the phone from their own device, and Response by Doro lets registered responders adjust settings like ring volume or call volume remotely too. This means you can troubleshoot many issues without being in the same room.
Is a Doro phone better than giving my parent an old iPhone?
Doro phones are designed from the ground up for older users, with large high-contrast buttons or icons, loud ClearSound audio, hearing aid compatibility, and an assistance button that alerts family, none of which an old iPhone has by default. An iPhone with accessibility settings turned on can also work for some people, so the right choice depends on how much simplification and extra safety support your parent needs.
What if my mum keeps forgetting to charge her phone?
A Doro charging cradle (available for several Leva and Aurora models) makes charging a single action: she places the phone down when she gets home and picks it up on her way out, with no cable to plug in. Charging automatically stops at 100%, so there's no risk from leaving it in the cradle between uses.
What makes Doro different from other senior phone brands?
Doro is a Swedish company that designs phones and safety products specifically for older people, rather than adding a big-font mode to a mainstream phone. Its range covers big button mobile phones, flip phones for elderly users, and simple smartphones, all built around hearing (ClearSound audio, hearing aid ratings), eyesight (high-contrast keys and screens), dexterity (flip designs, charging cradles) and safety (an assistance button that alerts family), with UK phone support and free printed manuals available on request.
Where is Doro based and does that affect how the phones are designed?
Doro is a Swedish company that designs phones and safety products specifically for older people, rather than mainstream phones with a big-font mode added on. This focus shapes features like loud ClearSound audio, high-contrast keys and an assistance button built in from the start, aimed at hearing, eyesight, dexterity and safety needs common in later life.
I need a simple feature phone for my elderly mother, where's a good place to buy one online?
Doro's UK webshop sells several big button mobile phones built specifically for seniors, including the Leva L10, L20, L30, E10, E20 and E30. All are SIM-free 4G phones that work with UK and Irish networks, come with a 24-month warranty, and qualify for free standard UK delivery over £30.
What does Doro sell and who is it for?
Doro makes easy-to-use phones and safety products designed specifically for older adults, sold direct in the UK and Ireland. The range covers big-button flip and bar feature phones (Leva L10-L30, E10-E30), the dementia-friendly Leva X10, simplified Android smartphones (Aurora A10, A20, A30), big-button home phones, the Response by Doro assistance button, and accessories like cases and charging cradles. It's aimed at people 65+ and the family members who often buy for them.
Is a Doro phone better than giving an elderly parent an old iPhone?
Doro phones are designed specifically for older people, with large high-contrast keys or icons, loud ClearSound or HD Voice audio, hearing aid compatibility ratings, and a built-in assistance button that alerts family, features not built into a standard iPhone. Whether it suits your parent better than their old phone depends on their needs around hearing, eyesight, dexterity and whether they want a dedicated safety button.
Can I help my parent with their Doro phone from my own home?
Yes, on the Doro Aurora smartphones, TeamViewer QuickSupport lets family provide remote assistance over the phone's own connection. With Response by Doro, registered responders can also remotely adjust certain phone settings, such as turning up the ring volume if it's set too low or on silent, directly from their own smartphone.
Does the emergency button on a Doro phone call 999?
No, the assistance button cannot be set to call 999 or 112 directly. It alerts family or friends you've chosen as responders through Response by Doro, sending them a text with your location and then calling them in sequence. It works in the UK, Ireland and most of Europe, but it is not a service that contacts the emergency services on your behalf.
Will a Doro phone still work after the 2G and 3G switch-off?
Yes, the current Doro Leva and Aurora phones are 4G phones, so they'll keep working after 2G and 3G networks are switched off. Note that 4G calling (VoLTE) also depends on having a SIM and network plan that support it, so check this with the mobile network being used.
How does Doro compare to other senior phone brands like Emporia, Nokia or TTfone?
Doro designs its phones exclusively for older adults, built around hearing (ClearSound audio, M/T hearing aid ratings), eyesight (large high-contrast keys and screens), dexterity (flip designs, charging cradles) and safety (the Secure Button alerting family via Response by Doro). Doro phones are 4G, come with UK phone support and free printed manuals, and offer remote help via TeamViewer on the Aurora range. We can't speak to the specifics of other brands' features.
How is Doro different from other senior phone options like Emporia, Nokia flip phones or a personal alarm pendant?
Doro is a Swedish company that designs phones and safety products only for older people, covering hearing (ClearSound audio and hearing aid ratings), eyesight (large high-contrast keys and screens), dexterity (flip designs and charging cradles) and safety (a built-in Secure Button that alerts family, rather than a separate pendant). UK phone support and free printed manuals are included with every phone.
Is Doro a sustainable, ethical company to buy from?
Doro is a Swedish company with group-wide sustainability policies, including ISO 9001 quality and ISO 14001 environmental certification, a code of conduct, a modern slavery act statement, and a CSR policy for suppliers. It also runs a confidential whistleblowing channel for staff and external stakeholders. These policies sit alongside its long-standing focus on designing phones specifically for older people.
How does Doro compare to options like Emporia, Nokia flip phones or a personal alarm pendant?
Doro is a Swedish company that designs phones only for older people rather than adding a big-font mode to a mainstream phone, with features built around hearing (ClearSound audio and hearing aid ratings), eyesight (large high-contrast displays), dexterity (flip designs, charging cradles) and safety (an assistance button that alerts family via Response by Doro, rather than a separate pendant). We can't comment on specifics of other brands' products.
What's a good gift for an elderly parent who struggles with a smartphone?
A Doro Leva big-button flip or bar phone, such as the Leva L30 or E30, makes a practical gift for someone who finds modern smartphones fiddly. Both have widely spaced, high-contrast keys, HD voice, and an assistance button on the back. For someone still comfortable with touchscreens, a Doro Aurora smartphone offers a simplified Android interface with WhatsApp and video calling instead.
Which Doro Leva model should I choose, L30 or E30?
The L30 is a flip phone with a small external screen to see the caller before answering, high contrast keys, HD voice and an assistance button, and it works with the Doro Connect service. The E30 is similar in flip design but adds 4G, Bluetooth 5.0, IP54 water resistance and a built-in camera, so choose the E30 if those extras matter and the L30 if you want the simpler option.
My mum keeps forgetting to charge her phone, is there anything that helps with that?
A Doro charging cradle helps, since you simply place the phone down when coming home and pick it up on the way out, with no fiddly cable to plug in each night. It's also safe to leave the phone sitting in the cradle, as charging stops automatically at 100%, so there's no risk from leaving it there too long.
Where is Doro based and what makes them different from a regular phone brand?
Doro AB is a Swedish company that designs phones and safety products specifically for older people, not mainstream phones with a big-font mode bolted on. Every model is built around real needs: loud ClearSound audio and hearing aid ratings, large high-contrast keys and screens, flip designs for stiff fingers, and an assistance button that alerts family. UK phone support and free printed manuals back it up.
Is a Doro phone a good gift for an elderly parent?
Yes, Doro phones are designed as a mobile phone for elderly users and work well as a gift when a family member sets it up first, since contacts, speed dials and the assistance button can all be added before handing it over. Free UK delivery applies to orders over £30, which covers every Doro mobile phone, and a 24-month warranty gives extra reassurance when buying as a gift.