Confronted with the increasingly pressing issue of population aging, the construction of an elderly-friendly society has become an urgent priority. With the rapid development of information media and urbanization, social isolation among “empty nest” elderly individuals has become a prominent feature of aging in China. This study conducted field surveys and systematic analyses to understand the social needs of elderly individuals within the digital information context, focusing on intergenerational communication, interpersonal relationships, and social participation. Based on these findings, the researchers proposed a shift in the design thinking of smartphone APPs from a “tool-oriented” approach to a “humanistic context” approach, reexamining the inherent logical relationship between design, target audience, and society. From the perspectives of typography, color, and functionality, the design of the intelligent smartphone app was explored, offering a positive response and exploration in the pursuit of constructing an elderly-friendly society.