# Setting up the child app (Android) (/en/docs/platform/android/setup)



The SafeCircle child app runs in the background on the child's Android phone. It doesn't show alerts to the child — everything goes to the parent dashboard. Setup takes a few minutes and has five screens, labelled **SETUP 1 OF 5** to **SETUP 5 OF 5**.

<Callout type="info">
  The step counter in the app skips **SETUP 3 OF 5**: you go from step 2 straight to step 4. This is expected.
</Callout>

## Requirements [#requirements]

* Android 11 or later
* An internet connection
* A pairing code (6 digits) or QR code from the dashboard — see [parent dashboard setup](/en/docs/platform/dashboard/setup)
* Access to the Google Play internal testing track — see [Join the beta](/en/docs/platform/private-beta/join)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Install the app [#install-the-app]

    On the child's phone, open the SafeCircle listing in Google Play and tap **Install**. On the phone the app is named **SafeCircle Child**.

    <Callout>
      During the beta the app is only visible to accounts in the **SafeCircle Testers** Google group that have opted in to the testing track. If you can't find it, see [Join the beta](/en/docs/platform/private-beta/join#join-the-beta).
    </Callout>

    The first time you open it, a **Closed Beta** screen asks you to confirm **I'm a beta tester and won't share this app** and **I understand distribution is prohibited and may result in legal action**. Tick both and tap **Continue**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Read the privacy note [#read-the-privacy-note]

    On **SETUP 1 OF 5** (**You're in good hands.**), read the note: only a safety summary is sent, and the actual messages never leave the device. Tick **I understand and agree**, then tap **Continue**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Pair with the parent dashboard [#pair-with-the-parent-dashboard]

    On **SETUP 2 OF 5** (**Connect with your parent.**), choose how to pair:

    * **Scan QR code** — scan the QR code shown in the dashboard.
    * **Enter 6-digit code** — type the code manually in **6-digit code**, then tap **Confirm**.

    When pairing succeeds the app moves on, and the dashboard shows **Device connected**.

    <Callout type="warn">
      Pairing codes are valid for **5 minutes** and work once. If one expires, generate a new one in the dashboard.
    </Callout>

    <Callout type="info">
      The screen also shows a **Hold phones together** (NFC) option. It isn't active yet — use the QR code or the 6-digit code.
    </Callout>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Grant the permissions [#grant-the-permissions]

    On **SETUP 4 OF 5** (**Two quick permissions.**):

    1. On Android 13 and later, tap **Allow** next to **Notifications**. The app uses notifications for download progress and its own status messages.
    2. Tap **Open Settings** to open Android's Accessibility settings, find **SafeCircle Protection** (the app calls it SafeCircle), tap it and enable the toggle.
    3. Come back to the app. It continues automatically as soon as it detects that the Accessibility Service is on.

    <Callout type="warn">
      Without the Accessibility Service the app can't see conversations and no alerts are sent. Android may turn the permission off after a reinstall — if the app asks again, enable it again. See [Permissions](/en/docs/platform/android/permissions).
    </Callout>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Finish [#finish]

    On **SETUP 5 OF 5** (**Downloading your shield.**) the app prepares its detection engine. When it's done it shows **All set.** and opens the status screen, which shows **MONITORING ACTIVE** and **Protected.**

    The first time, the app starts in **Basic** mode, which scans for keywords and needs no download. To use the more accurate on-device AI model, see [Basic mode and the AI model](/en/docs/platform/android/how-it-works#basic-mode-and-the-ai-model).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What the child sees [#what-the-child-sees]

* The **Home** screen with the protection status, and a **Settings** screen. There is no alert list and no message history.
* A short notification while a model downloads, and — when a newer AI model is available — a **SafeCircle update available** notification.
* An entry named **SafeCircle Protection** in Android's Accessibility settings, which Android describes as monitoring conversations to detect safety risks and notify the parent.

Everything the app detects goes to the parent. Talk with your child about what is monitored and why before you set it up.

## After setup [#after-setup]

The app runs in the background; there is nothing to open day to day. Open it to check the status: **MONITORING ACTIVE** means protection is running. **Settings** lets you change the theme, see which detection mode is active and report a bug.

To stop monitoring, uninstall the app on the child's phone and revoke the device in the dashboard — see [Children and devices](/en/docs/platform/dashboard/children-devices). A reinstalled app has to be paired again with a new code.

<Cards>
  <Card title="How it works" href="/en/docs/platform/android/how-it-works" description="What the app reads, what it sends and how often." />

  <Card title="Supported apps" href="/en/docs/platform/android/supported-apps" description="The messaging apps the child app monitors." />

  <Card title="Permissions" href="/en/docs/platform/android/permissions" description="What each permission is for." />

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" href="/en/docs/platform/android/troubleshooting" description="Pairing failed, status shows a problem, device offline." />
</Cards>