Tech Use and Adoption Keeps Surging Among Older Adults

A massive digital transformation is underway as technology has entered the daily lives of the 50-plus demographic, making life easier and offering older adults more control and independence.

Adults age 50-plus have rapidly integrated digital services into their daily routines, transitioning from basic internet and email users to fully engaged participants in the always-connected world. The data not only show a dramatic increase in device ownership — smartphone ownership soared from 55% in 2016 to 90% in 2025 — but a significant increase in the average number of tech devices owned.

Today older adults own modern technology at the same rate as younger adults, with the one exception being wearables, which are more commonly owned by adults ages 18 to 49 than those age 50-plus. Adults ages 70 to 79 are also narrowing the technology gap with younger cohorts and surpass those 50 to 69 in tablet ownership. An increasing number of adults 80-plus are more likely to view technology as an ally in healthy aging; the share of those agreeing that it enables a healthy life rose from 39% in 2024 to 46% in 2025.

Today’s older adults are using phones, tablets, and wearables as they text, interface with social media, stream content and test out artificial intelligence. Older adults are embracing Netflix, Facebook, video chatting, online shopping, digital gaming, banking apps, health record apps, digital maps and navigation, music streaming, photo storage and more. Texting is now the lead communication method among adults age 50-plus. Nine in 10 use social media, and 8 in 10 stream video weekly.

The findings come out of the latest AARP technology survey, which was first conducted in 2016. They reveal not only current usage but opportunities for industry to continue expanding its market penetration among older adults.

Barriers remain, however. Those include concerns over privacy, data use and usability. For many, tech design keeps it out of reach. Others lack confidence in their digital skills. And AI, while embraced by some, faces many skeptics. ​The challenge for industry is to make technology personally meaningful to older adults through age-friendly design paired with ongoing education and real-world product exposure. Addressing these challenges will build confidence and help older adults understand the value of tech without replacing the human connection people rely on.  

Tech evolution and adoption

Digital services and apps are central to everyday life. On average, adults 50-plus use 14 digital services and 10 different apps in a three-month period. Much of the growth is happening in apps for practical needs like shopping, banking and fitness tracking. Smart-home technology, including security cameras and lighting systems, has also become increasingly commonplace, with half using at least one.

The 63 million caregivers nationwide are also increasingly embracing technology to help them amid the complexity of providing care, managing routines and tracking the health of their loved ones. Today, half of all caregivers (55%) use one or more forms of tech to coordinate caregiving responsibilities.

AI adoption and interest

Adoption and evolution aren’t slowing, with curiosity surrounding AI quickly gaining traction. Older adults are increasingly exploring the potential of AI in areas of information, creativity, health insights and productivity. Already AI usage has nearly doubled, rising from 18% in 2024 to 30% in 2025. AI-health monitoring devices and using AI tools to answer health questions or provide nutritional guidance are of particular interest among older adults.

While about half are using or interested in AI-powered health devices, few have used, identified a need for or expressed interest in AI for therapy or image generation. About half currently use or are interested in using a voice personal assistant such as Siri or Alexa. As for AI platforms such as ChatGPT or Copilot, 19% use such technologies, 21% are interested in it and 59% express no interest.

The trust and usability challenge

Two-thirds of adults 50-plus (66%) agree that technology enriches life and makes aging easier. But concerns remain, and there are obstacles that continue to prevent more widespread use.

The top barrier to tech adoption overall remains data privacy, closely followed by the need to understand the true value of a purchase. Skepticism also surrounds AI adoption, as trust, privacy and data security are the top concerns cited by about half of older adults who hesitate to adopt new tech, especially when trying AI tools.

The tech industry has an opportunity to create technology that is intuitive, trustworthy and personally meaningful in design. Three in 5 adults 50-plus say technology is not designed with their age in mind.

Tech spending remains strong

Still, older adults are making technology purchases. Two in 5 older adults are already planning to make a tech purchase in 2026, with 71% reporting they bought technology in 2025, up from 67% in 2024. Smartphones and their accessories were the top purchases, and smart TVs and laptops were also popular. On average older adults spent $756 on technology.

Methodology

This latest online survey of 3,838 U.S. adults was conducted between September 9 and October 6, 2025, in both English and Spanish.

For more information, please contact Brittne Kakulla at bkakulla@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.