You do not need to be “good with computers.” If you can describe a problem, ask a question, take a picture, or have a conversation, you can use ChatGPT.
The easiest way to remember it: ASK → SHOW → CHECK.
Do not worry about special commands. Talk to ChatGPT the way you would talk to a patient, helpful person sitting next to you.
1
Tell it what you are trying to do
I need help setting up my television.
2
Tell it what makes the problem difficult
I am not very technical. Please use plain English.
3
Ask for one step at a time
Give me only one step at a time. Wait for me to tell you what happened before giving the next step.
Excellent phrase to remember: “Explain this to me like I am not technical.”
Use it as your tech helper
When a television, printer, phone, thermostat, remote, Wi-Fi router, or appliance acts strangely, take a picture and show ChatGPT.
📺
Television
My TV has picture but no sound. Here is a photo of the TV and remote. Give me one thing to check at a time.
🖨️
Printer
My printer says it is offline. Here is a picture of the screen. What should I try first?
📱
Phone
I want to make the words larger on this phone. Tell me exactly where to tap.
🔌
Mystery cable
What cable is this, and what is it normally used for?
Better than guessing: If ChatGPT needs more information, ask, “What should I photograph so you can diagnose this better?”
Show it a photo
ChatGPT can look at photos you add to a conversation. Tap the + button near the message box and choose a photo or file.
Identify something
What is this object? What details in the photo helped you identify it?
Read a label
Please read this label and explain the important parts in plain English.
Old family photo
Describe everything you notice in this family photo so my grandchildren will understand it years from now.
Plant or household item
What might this be? Tell me how confident you are and what other photo would help you be more certain.
Create pictures just by describing them
You can ask ChatGPT to create a brand-new image. Be specific or be silly. Both work.
Create a cheerful picture of a grandmother riding a motorcycle through Times Square wearing sunglasses and a bright sari.
Create a 1950s-style travel poster for our family reunion in Oklahoma.
Turn this photo of my backyard into a cozy garden design with raised flower beds and a shaded sitting area.
You can also upload an existing image and ask ChatGPT to change it, such as removing an object, changing the background, or adding something new.
Turn confusing paperwork into plain English
Upload or photograph a letter, bill, instructions, warranty, insurance notice, or other document and ask ChatGPT to explain it.
Explain this document in plain English. Tell me: 1) what it says, 2) whether I need to do anything, 3) any deadline, and 4) what questions I should ask before acting.
Important: ChatGPT can make mistakes. For medical, legal, financial, insurance, tax, or other high-stakes matters, use it to understand the issue, then confirm important facts with the appropriate professional or official source.
Use ChatGPT to help spot scams
If you receive a suspicious text, email, letter, or pop-up, take a screenshot and ask ChatGPT to examine it.
Does this look like a scam? Give me the evidence FOR and AGAINST it being legitimate. Do not tell me to click any links.
Never send a password.
Never send a Social Security number.
Never send a bank PIN or security code.
Do not click a suspicious link just because ChatGPT says it might be real.
When money is involved, verify through a phone number or website you already trust.
You can just talk to it
On the ChatGPT mobile app, tap the Voice icon and speak naturally. You can interrupt, ask follow-up questions, or say you did not understand.
I am trying to connect my hearing aids to my phone. Please talk me through it slowly, one step at a time.
I am cooking dinner and my hands are busy. Talk me through this recipe one step at a time.
If the explanation is confusing, simply say: “Say that again more simply.”
Other things worth trying
Travel
Plan a 3-day trip to Chicago for someone who cannot comfortably walk more than half a mile at a time.
Cooking
Here is a photo of what is in my refrigerator. Give me three dinner ideas using mostly what I already have.
Writing
Help me write a polite but firm complaint to my cable company about repeated outages.
Learning
Teach me how QR codes work. Assume I know almost nothing about computers.
Shopping
I need a simple television for a bedroom. Help me understand what features matter and which ones I can ignore.
Questions for a professional
I have an appointment tomorrow. Help me turn these notes into a short list of questions I should remember to ask.
The 3-word cheat sheet
ASK
Tell ChatGPT what you want in normal language.
SHOW
Add a photo, screenshot, or document when that helps explain the problem.
CHECK
For anything important, ask for evidence and verify the answer.
You are allowed to say: “I don’t understand.” You are allowed to ask again. You are allowed to tell ChatGPT to slow down. There is no stupid question.
Five prompts to save
Explain this to me in plain English.
Give me one step at a time.
What should I photograph so you can help me better?
How confident are you, and what might you be wrong about?