📖 User Guide · iOS & Android

ParentalGuard

ParentalGuard has two parts: the app on your (the parent's) phone, and a companion app on your child's phone. This guide walks you through creating your account, pairing your child's device, and switching on the settings that make monitoring work.

Use ParentalGuard responsibly and in line with your local laws. It is intended for parents and guardians monitoring their own minor children — please be open with your family about it.

Before you start

Your phone and your child's phone
About 10 minutes with both devices to hand
Your child's phone passcode (needed to grant some settings)

1. Create your parent account

Open ParentalGuard on your phone

Tap Create Account (or sign in with Google).

Enter your details

Add your name, email and a password.

Choose how your child knows you

Pick Mum, Dad, etc. You'll need this set before you can generate a pairing code.

2. Install the companion app on your child's phone

Download it

On the child's phone, open the App Store or Google Play and search for “ParentalGuard Companion”.

Open and connect

Tap Install, open the app, then tap “Connect to Parent”.

3. Pair the two devices

Open “Add Child” on your phone

It shows a QR code and a 6-digit pairing code.

Scan or type the code on the child's phone

Scan the QR code, or enter the 6-digit code by hand.

Pairing codes are single-use and expire. If it doesn't work, generate a fresh code on your phone and try again.

4. Switch on the settings (on the child's phone)

Location — “Always” + Precise

Android: Settings → Apps → ParentalGuard Companion → Permissions → Location → Allow all the time, and turn on Use precise location.
iPhone: Settings → ParentalGuard → Location → Always, and turn on Precise Location.

Notification access

Android: Settings → Apps → Special app access → Notification access → ParentalGuard Companion → On.
iPhone: Settings → Notifications → ParentalGuard → Allow Notifications.

App usage (Accessibility / Screen Time)

Android: Settings → Accessibility → ParentalGuard Companion → turn the service On → Allow.
iPhone: Settings → Screen Time → turn it on → Content & Privacy Restrictions (set a parent passcode).

Device Admin (remote lock)

Android: Settings → Security → Device admin apps → ParentalGuard Companion → Activate.
iPhone: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → ParentalGuard profile → Install (enter passcode).

Also allow the app to run in the background / turn OFF battery optimisation for it, so location keeps updating when the screen is off.

5. You're all set

Check your dashboard

Back on your phone, your child's device now appears. Explore live location and safe zones, messages & calls, and screen-time controls.

FAQ & troubleshooting

Location isn't updating — why?

Re-check that Location is set to “Always” with precise location on, and that battery optimisation is turned off for the companion app.

Can I re-run the setup?

Yes — the in-app walkthrough can be replayed, and you can generate a new pairing code any time from “Add Child”.

Still stuck? Get help ← Back to ParentalGuard