Best app to monitor my child's iPhone use from my Android
January 17, 2023 9:34 AM Subscribe
My twelve year-old just got an iPhone. My phone is an Android. I was tracking her usage via Google Family Link until now. What are my options going forward?
What are my options for tracking the phone's location, for controlling which apps she downloads and for shutting the phone off for certain time periods?
What are my options for tracking the phone's location, for controlling which apps she downloads and for shutting the phone off for certain time periods?
Response by poster: I don't own any apple devices. Nor do I plan to (ugh, why did I let her get this phone?)
posted by kitcat at 10:38 AM on January 17, 2023
posted by kitcat at 10:38 AM on January 17, 2023
Best answer: iOS has a feature called Screen Time to monitor and limit the amount of time you spend in particular apps, time spent on the whole phone, or block off things like camera access or app store purchases.
It's designed to work in a parent/child configuration where you can set things by remote control but it can also work in a single user mode to (hah) put some self control on your time and track your usage.
If you set a password that only you know, the configuration can't be changed. The only thing you couldn't do is monitor the time usage remotely. You'd need the phone, unlocked, in your hands to access that.
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:41 AM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's designed to work in a parent/child configuration where you can set things by remote control but it can also work in a single user mode to (hah) put some self control on your time and track your usage.
If you set a password that only you know, the configuration can't be changed. The only thing you couldn't do is monitor the time usage remotely. You'd need the phone, unlocked, in your hands to access that.
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:41 AM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: We use the Circle app through our router, but it can be bought as a stand alone device. About $100 for the year I think.
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:42 AM on January 17, 2023
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:42 AM on January 17, 2023
Best answer: I have not used it, but here is a link to Circle.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:58 AM on January 17, 2023
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:58 AM on January 17, 2023
Best answer: You can log into iCloud from your Android browser to use Find My iPhone.
You might also want to set up your Android phone as a trusted phone number so you can authenticate with iCloud if the iPhone gets lost.
posted by credulous at 11:54 AM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
You might also want to set up your Android phone as a trusted phone number so you can authenticate with iCloud if the iPhone gets lost.
posted by credulous at 11:54 AM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If all else fails, you might consider buying a cheap used iphone (e.g. iphone SE for about $60). You probably won't be checking her activity all that often that you need it constantly running on your main phone.
posted by roaring beast at 12:09 PM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by roaring beast at 12:09 PM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
You could get an old iphone and use it on wifi ony (so don't set up it up as a phone but use it more like an ipad touch).
Also, there's another option: this might be an opportunity for a different approach. Self-regulation is an important skill in all sorts of ways. I wonder if you could set up the phone so you have access but also don't regularly monitor. So, instead of the phone going off at a certain time, it's plugged in during key times in the kitchen (for example). This would be a great conversation to have with the kid, and ask them to help decide on parameters. (Also I fully acknowledge you might already be doing this sort of thing.)
posted by bluedaisy at 2:35 PM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, there's another option: this might be an opportunity for a different approach. Self-regulation is an important skill in all sorts of ways. I wonder if you could set up the phone so you have access but also don't regularly monitor. So, instead of the phone going off at a certain time, it's plugged in during key times in the kitchen (for example). This would be a great conversation to have with the kid, and ask them to help decide on parameters. (Also I fully acknowledge you might already be doing this sort of thing.)
posted by bluedaisy at 2:35 PM on January 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Screentime is too limited for us, and I’ve been considering Bark. Can anyone vouch for Circle vs. Bark?
posted by nandaro at 9:20 AM on January 18, 2023
posted by nandaro at 9:20 AM on January 18, 2023
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posted by inkyz at 10:32 AM on January 17, 2023