What You'll Need
Make sure you have the following ready before starting. The whole setup takes about 10–15 minutes.
Android phone to install the ChildSafe parent app
Android 8.0 or newer — will be factory reset
Both devices need internet access during setup
Uninterrupted time to complete both sides
This guide is split into two parts. Part A (Steps 1–3) is done on your phone. Part B (Steps 4–7) is done on the child's phone. Use the Next button at the bottom to move through each step — you won't need to scroll through the whole guide at once.
Install the Parent App
Start on your own phone. Install ChildSafe from Google Play.
Search for "Childsafe Parent" on the Google Play Store and install the app. The publisher is childsafeuk, and the icon is a dark navy circle with a parent-and-child silhouette in white.
If you've been added to the internal testing track, you may need to use the invite link you were sent to access the app on Google Play. If you can't find it, check your email for the testing invitation.
Once installed, open the app. You'll see the ChildSafe welcome screen — continue to the next step to create your account.
Sign In with Google
Open the Childsafe Parent app. You'll see "Welcome to ChildSafe" with one button: Sign in with Google.
- Tap "Sign in with Google"
- Choose the Google account you want to use for ChildSafe
- You'll be signed in automatically
After signing in, you'll see the main dashboard showing "No Children Yet" — this is expected.
Parent App Guide
Before setting up the child device, take a few minutes to explore the parent app. Our detailed guide walks you through every screen, feature, and setting.
Add Your Child & Generate the QR Code
Tap "+ Add Child" in the parent app. The setup wizard walks you through five steps.
Step 1 — Child & Device Name
Enter your child's first name (or a nickname) and a name for their device (e.g. "Phone", "Samsung", "Tablet"). These are just labels to help you identify them in the app.
Step 2 — Management Mode
Choose how strictly the device should be managed. You can change this later at any time.
Kiosk mode with a simplified launcher. Only approved apps are visible. Maximum protection.
Normal Android launcher but you control which apps are installed. Play Store is blocked.
Normal Android launcher. Child can request apps for your approval. Play Store is still blocked.
Step 3 — Screen Time Rules
Set the daily screen time schedule — when the device can be used, and for how long each day. ChildSafe provides sensible defaults that you can customise. You can also adjust these at any time after setup.
Step 4 — Review & Confirm
Review your child's name, device name, management mode, and screen time rules. If everything looks correct, tap "Finish" to create the child profile.
Step 5 — QR Code
A QR code is generated and displayed on your screen. You'll need to scan this QR code from the child's device in the next step. Keep this screen open.
The QR code remains valid for 24 hours. If you don't scan it in time, or need a new code later, you can regenerate one from the parent app: go to the Dashboard, find the child's device, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the device name, and select "Generate QR Code".
Keep your parent phone nearby with the QR code visible. Pick up the child's phone and continue to the next step.
Factory Reset the Child's Device
The child's phone must be factory reset before it can be set up with ChildSafe. This is a requirement of Android's device management system — it cannot be skipped.
Android's device management system requires certain permissions to be granted manually by the person holding the device. This is a deliberate security measure — it prevents any app from silently granting itself powerful permissions. ChildSafe guides you through each one.
- On the child's phone, go to Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset
- Confirm the reset and wait for the device to restart
- The phone will reboot to the initial Android setup screen (as if brand new)
Factory reset deletes all data, apps, photos, and accounts from the device. Make absolutely sure any important data is backed up before proceeding.
Don't forget game accounts. Games like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft store progress tied to a login — but if your child is playing as a guest, that data is stored only on the device and will be permanently lost after a reset. Before you wipe the device, check that your child is signed into a proper account on any games they play regularly, and that you have the username and password written down somewhere safe.
Connect to WiFi & Scan the QR Code
After the factory reset, the phone will walk through its initial setup screens.
- Select your language and region
- Connect to your WiFi network — this is required for the next step
At the very first "Welcome" or "Let's Go" screen, tap 6 times quickly anywhere on the screen. This opens a hidden QR code scanner used for device provisioning. The welcome screen may look slightly different depending on the phone model, but the 6-tap method works on all Android devices.
Point the child's phone camera at the QR code shown on your parent phone (from Step 3). The phone will read the code and begin the provisioning process automatically.
Make sure you're scanning from the initial Android setup screen, not from a camera app. The QR scanner only appears during device provisioning. Also check that WiFi is connected on the child device — it needs internet access to process the QR code.
Android Setup Screens
After scanning the QR code, the phone will show several setup screens before ChildSafe is ready. Most just need a tap on "Next" or "Accept" to continue.
These screens may look different depending on your phone model — the examples below are from a Samsung device. Follow each screen in order:
📋 Samsung Terms & Conditions
Samsung will ask you to accept its End User Licence Agreement and optional diagnostic settings. Accept the required agreements and tap "Next".
🔒 "This device isn't private"
This screen appears because Android detects the device is being set up as a managed (enterprise) device. It warns that an "IT admin" may be able to see data and activity.
This message appears for all enterprise-managed devices — it's the same warning employees see when their company sets up a work phone. In the case of ChildSafe, you (the parent) are the "IT admin." ChildSafe's privacy policy details exactly what data is and isn't collected.
Tap "Next" to continue.
💼 "Keep your work apps at your fingertips"
Another standard Android enterprise screen. It's telling you the device will be managed. The "work apps" in this case are the apps you (the parent) approve for your child. Tap "Next".
📱 "Set up your phone"
This screen shows details about device management and mentions "Device Policy" as the management app. You'll see a list of what the admin can monitor and manage.
Every reference to "your IT admin" or "your organisation" means you, the parent. ChildSafe uses Google's Android Management API and you control everything through the ChildSafe parent app.
Tap "Accept & continue".
⏳ "Getting ready for work setup..."
The device is now downloading the management policy and preparing for app installation. This may take 1–2 minutes depending on your internet speed. Just wait — don't tap anything.
🏢 "This device belongs to your organisation"
Another standard confirmation screen. Again, the "organisation" is you — the parent managing the device through ChildSafe.
Tap "Next" to continue.
📦 "Your work checklist" — Install work apps
After the previous screens, you'll see a "Your work checklist" with two items. The first is "Install work apps" — this downloads and installs the ChildSafe child app.
Tap "Install" to see the installation progress. Once "Childsafe Child" shows a tick, tap "Done" to return to the checklist.
🛡️ "Complete ChildSafe Setup"
Once ChildSafe is installed, you'll see a "Your work checklist" screen with two items. The first — "Install work apps" — is already ticked. The second shows "Complete ChildSafe Setup" with a description: "ChildSafe needs to finish setting up this device."
Tap "Set up" — the ChildSafe app will open and display its setup checklist.
You don't need to find or open the app yourself — it launches directly as part of the provisioning process. The device won't finish setting up until you've completed the ChildSafe checklist in the next step.
ChildSafe Final Setup Steps
ChildSafe is now running inside the provisioning wizard. You'll see a "Final Setup Steps" checklist — complete the two remaining permissions below.
ChildSafe has launched automatically as part of the device setup. The first checklist item — "ChildSafe App Provisioned" — is already ticked. Private DNS is also pre-configured automatically by the device management policy, so it will already be ticked. Complete the two remaining steps below:
📊 Step A — Enable Usage Access
ChildSafe needs Usage Access permission to track how much time is spent on each app and enforce daily screen time quotas.
- Tap the "Enable Usage Access" button
- This opens the Android Usage Data Access settings screen
- Find "ChildSafeChildApp" in the list
- Tap the toggle to turn it ON
- Press the Back button to return to ChildSafe
⏱️ Step B — Enable Screen Time Enforcement
ChildSafe uses Android's Accessibility Service to instantly block apps when screen time runs out or when an unapproved app is launched.
- Tap the "Enable Screen Time Enforcement" button
- This opens the Android Accessibility settings
- Tap "Installed services" (you may see "1 service" listed)
- Tap "ChildSafeChildApp"
- Read the description — it explains that ChildSafe uses this to enforce screen time limits
- Tap the toggle to turn it ON
- A confirmation dialog will appear asking "Allow ChildSafeChildApp to have full control of your phone?" — tap "Allow"
- Press the Back button to return to ChildSafe
The "full control" wording is Android's standard warning for all accessibility services. ChildSafe only uses this permission to detect when an unapproved or time-limited app is in the foreground and block it. It does not use it to read passwords, capture screens, or interact with other apps in any other way.
🎉 Finish Setup
Once all checklist items are ticked, the "Finish Setup" button becomes available. Tap it to complete the setup.
When you tap "Finish Setup", ChildSafe notifies the server that the device is ready, and the provisioning wizard completes. The device will land on the home screen with the full security policy already active. Your child's approved apps will begin installing, and the screen time rules you configured will take effect immediately.
After tapping "Finish Setup", the provisioning wizard closes and the device goes straight to the home screen. You don't need to tap through any more Android setup screens — everything is handled automatically.
You're All Set!
Setup is complete on both devices.
Only approved apps are visible. Screen time limits are enforced. Unapproved apps are blocked instantly. Web content is filtered. The ChildSafe app cannot be uninstalled.
The child's device appears on your dashboard. You can see battery level, location, screen time usage, and device status. You can adjust all settings in real time.
The child can only use the device during the time windows you set. When time runs out, apps are blocked — only Phone and Messages remain accessible.
In Teens mode, the child can send an app request. You'll receive a notification and can approve or deny it with one tap. In Young Children and Pre-teen modes, you install apps directly from the parent app.
Inappropriate content is blocked across all apps and browsers. SafeSearch is enforced on Google, Bing, and other search engines. YouTube restricted mode is on.
If the device is locked and the child needs access urgently, they can tap "Request Unlock" and send you a reason. You can approve a temporary unlock from your phone within seconds.
Things You Can Change At Any Time
Everything you configured during setup can be adjusted later from the parent app — you're never locked in. This includes:
- ✔ Screen time schedules and daily quotas
- ✔ Approved and blocked apps
- ✔ Web filtering categories and blocked websites
- ✔ Device permissions (camera, phone, SMS, contacts, etc.)
- ✔ Management mode (Young Child / Pre-teen / Teen)
- ✔ Monitoring features (call logs, SMS, notifications, keyword alerts)
- ✔ AI Learning Buddy (enable/disable per child)
- ✔ Internet pause (one tap to pause internet for all or individual children)
If you run into any issues, please email admin@childsafe.uk with a description of the problem and which step you were on. Screenshots are always helpful!
🔧 Common Issue: QR code won't scan
Make sure you're scanning from the initial Android setup screen, not from a camera app. The QR scanner only appears during device provisioning (after a factory reset). Also check that the WiFi connection is active on the child device — it needs internet access to process the QR code.
If the QR code has expired (they are valid for 24 hours), you can generate a new one from the parent app: go to the Dashboard, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the child's device name, and select "Generate QR Code".
Learn How to Use the Parent App
See our detailed guide to every feature — screen time, app management, web filtering, monitoring, location, family sharing, and more.