Smartphone ownership among U.S. adults ages 65 and older reached 78% in a 2025 Pew Research Center survey. That is up sharply from 61% in 2021, but a wide age gap remains. Adults 75 and older still trail their younger peers. For broader context, see our senior technology adoption statistics 2026.
Pew Research Center data show 78% of U.S. adults 65 and older owned a smartphone in 2025. The figure matters because smartphones are the main entry point for video calls, health portals, and banking. The 2021 split was stark: 71% of adults 65 to 74 owned a smartphone, while 43% of those 75 and older did. This gap shapes how technology guidance should be designed. See our digital literacy statistics 2026 for related training data. Pew Research Center publishes the full methodology.
Texting is nearly universal among adults 50 and older, at 94% in 2023. Social media use among adults 65 and older hit 45% in 2021, up from 22% in 2010. YouTube use rose from 38% in 2019 to 49% in 2021. These trends suggest older adults are choosing specific apps that offer practical value. AARP research shows 87% of adults 50 and older use at least one social platform. See AARP for the latest Tech Trends survey. More context is in our senior internet usage statistics 2026.
Older Adult Smartphone Ownership
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 78% | U.S. adults ages 65+ who own a smartphone in 2025 | Pew Research Center, 2025 survey |
| 61% | U.S. adults 65+ who owned a smartphone in 2021 | Pew Research Center, 2021 |
| 71% | Adults 65 to 74 who owned a smartphone in 2021 | Pew Research Center, 2021 |
| 43% | Adults 75 and older who owned a smartphone in 2021 | Pew Research Center, 2021 |
App, Social Media, and Texting Use
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 94% | Adults 50+ who use text messaging | AARP, Tech Trends research, 2023 |
| 87% | Adults 50+ who use at least one social media platform | AARP, 2025 Tech Trends |
| 49% | Adults 65+ who used YouTube in 2021, up from 38% in 2019 | Pew Research Center, 2021 |
| 45% | Americans 65+ who used social media in 2021, up from 22% in 2010 | Pew Research Center, 2021 |
What the 2026 Numbers Mean for Technology Guidance
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Takeaway 1 | Smartphone adoption among older adults has grown, but the 75+ group needs tailored support. | Pew Research Center, 2021 and 2025 |
| Takeaway 2 | Texting is a baseline skill for adults 50+; instructions can assume familiarity. | AARP, 2023 |
| Takeaway 3 | YouTube and social media adoption show older adults learn from video and peer networks. | Pew Research Center, 2021; AARP, 2025 |
| Takeaway 4 | The 71% vs 43% age split suggests design should account for vision, hearing, and confidence gaps. | Pew Research Center, 2021 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What share of adults 65 and older own a smartphone?
The latest Pew Research Center survey from 2025 shows 78% of U.S. adults ages 65 and older own a smartphone. That is up from 61% in 2021. The increase reflects broader adoption of mobile internet and lower-cost devices.
Why do adults 75 and older have lower smartphone ownership?
Pew Research Center’s 2021 data show 43% of adults 75 and older owned a smartphone, compared with 71% of adults 65 to 74. Older age groups often face more barriers related to cost, confidence, and physical accessibility.
What do older adults do on their smartphones?
Text messaging is very common among adults 50 and older, at 94% in 2023. YouTube use among adults 65 and older reached 49% in 2021. Social media use among that group hit 45% in 2021.
Is social media use still growing among older adults?
Yes. Among Americans 65 and older, social media use rose from 22% in 2010 to 45% in 2021. AARP 2025 data show 87% of adults 50 and older use at least one social media platform.
How can technology guidance help the 75+ group?
Guidance should assume less smartphone familiarity and offer larger text, step-by-step video, and practice with core tasks. See our assistive technology statistics 2026 for related accessibility data. The 43% ownership rate for adults 75 and older means many in this group may still need non-smartphone support.
Where can I find more senior technology adoption data?
TechGently publishes several related statistics pages. Start with senior technology adoption statistics 2026. You can also explore our other stats pages from the main statistics hub.
