How to set up the Kid-Safe Phone (or Tablet)
Designed in collaboration with Samsung, our range of Kid-Safe devices are designed to provide your child with a remarkably safe and clean digital experience. This guide will take you through the full installation process as a parent/caregiver. If you're setting up a Kid-Safe device for the first time, it will take around 30 minutes for the full installation, or 45 minutes for the entire guide.
Important: To simplify the setup process, if you have a SIM card for the device, you should insert it after you've finished this guide. The device might mention to "Add SIM to connect to a mobile network", which can be ignored. You'll also need to follow the instructions on the SIM packet to activate the SIM card.
After taking the device out of the box, turn it on by holding down the Power button.
Once the device has turned on, tap the Start button.
If you're setting up a tablet, you might also have to select your languge and restart the device as instructed on the device.
Tap the checkboxes for the End User Licence Agreement and Privacy Policy, then tap the Agree button.
Tap the Set up manually button. If you need to transfer data from an old phone, you can do this later with the Samsung Smart Switch app. If you want to do this, we'll show you how to do so at the bottom of this guide.
Tap your Wi-Fi network.
Enter the password for your Wi-Fi network, then tap the Connect button.
Once you've connected to your Wi-Fi network, the device will automatically run through some installation tasks for you. This will take a moment.
Once the automatic installation tasks have finished, you will land on the device's home screen. You'll need to wait a moment to continue the installation.
Tap the checkbox options labelled "I agree to Special Access" and "I agree to Device administrator".
Tap the Agree option at the lower-right corner.
Tap the Agree button on the Samsung Knox Notice page.
If the Safe Surfer app automatically redirects you before you get a chance to tap the Agree button, the Knox Notice page will reappear in a minute or so. Simply tap the Agree button when it appears again.
The Safe Surfer app will let you know some starting information. Swipe up once you've read the information at the top.
Once you've read the rest of the information, tap the Get started button.
If you wish to use either Explorer or Empower mode on this device, you can do this on the online Safe Surfer dashboard later on.
Enter a name for this device, then tap the Next button.
There are two options for the next section.
Important: Please note that you will be connecting this device to your Safe Surfer account as a parent/caregiver, rather than creating an account on behalf of the device user.
If you don't have a Safe Surfer account, enter your details (to create an account as a parent/caregiver), tap the checkbox to agree to the Safe Surfer Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and tap the Next button.
If you already have a Safe Surfer account, tap the Sign in option, enter your login details, and tap the Next button.
Once you've tapped the Next button, the Safe Surfer app might ask you where the device was purchased, along with asking about any applicable referrer. Once you've done this, you can continue with the instructions.
The Safe Surfer app will let you know if you need to add a payment method (and what the due date is) on the Safe Surfer dashboard.
Important: If the app mentions that you need to add a payment method to your Safe Surfer account (for example, if you've never paid for Safe Surfer before, or if it's been several years), we strongly recommend reviewing your payment details now to keep the device restricted as a Kid-Safe device. Before continuing further with the guide, click this link.
Once you're ready, tap the Finish button.
Tap the checkbox found next to Set an admin PIN.
For this last section of setting up the device, the Safe Surfer app will automatically redirect you back to this page if you take more than a moment. If this happens, simply resume what you were last doing. If the device mentions how "Security policy prevents installation of this application", you can ignore this, as the device is doing work in the background.
Set a PIN for the Safe Surfer app, then tap the Confirm button.
Tap the checkbox found next to Enable internet filtering.
Tap the OK option on the Connection request prompt.
Tap the checkbox found next to Restrict app & settings access.
Tap the Installed apps menu.
Tap the Safe Surfer menu.
Tap the switch found next to Off. Ignore the second switch.
Tap the Allow option.
Enter your PIN for the Safe Surfer app, then tap the OK button.
Great work! We've finished the protection installation, but there are a few more things we need to do.
Hold down the Power button to open the Power off menu. On some devices, this is performed by holding down both the Volume down and Power buttons. Tap the Restart option.
Tap the Restart option again.
To find out how to install additional features, click this link.
If you have an old phone that you would like to transfer data from (such as call logs and text messages), you can do this by downloading the Samsung Smart Switch app from the Google Play Store app. You'll do this as part of the following step.
If you're using the Location tracking feature, we recommend skipping this step. If you're concerned about data usage and want to use Location tracking, you might need to disable the Nudity detection feature inside the Safe Surfer app. We are currently working on a data saver setting for the Safe Surfer app itself, which will be available through a future Kid-Safe Experience update.
If you enabled the Nudity detection feature earlier, Safe Surfer attempts to upload any potential content detections immediately, including over mobile data. If you would prefer to save data (rather than upload as quickly as possible), you can resolve this by navigating to the Settings app > Connections > Data usage > Data saver > enable the switch to turn on the Data saver feature. This means that content detections will only upload over Wi-Fi.
Once you're ready, you can provide your child with access to further apps either now or in the future. You can do this on the Safe Surfer dashboard by visiting the Devices menu and clicking the More info button on the applicable device listing. You can then switch to your preferred device mode. During this process, the device itself needs to be connected to the Internet (preferably Wi-Fi), and you'll also need the device on-hand to confirm the prompts on the phone during the mode switch. We will add a link to this step once we've curated guides on how to do this. If you switch the device into Explorer mode, you can find out how to approve apps on the Safe Surfer dashboard by clicking this link.
If you would like to allow specific apps in the default Essentials mode, a limited amount of apps (such as Gmail, Google Maps, and the full version of Spotify) can't be used due to how the Samsung Knox security technology works. Devices usually come with various built-in apps that we need to enforce blocking to provide the expected experience. All apps can be used in the Explorer and Empower modes. You can find out more by clicking this link.
If you choose to allow access to the Google Play Store in either Explorer or Empower mode, you can find out how to hide inappropriate content through the parental controls settings by clicking this link. Once you're done, return back to this guide.
If your child would like to send photos via the texting app (that is, Google Messages by default), it's good to keep in mind that sending photos to iPhone devices (or any other phone in certain cases) can inadvertently consume top-up credit, which is separate to your SIM plan. In general, we suggest informing your child that it's best to avoid sending photos through the Messages app unless it mentions "RCS message" in the text field bubble, as shown below. (Most Samsung and other Android phones have RCS enabled by default, which uses the Internet rather than old texting technology.) This issue typically doesn't affect other photo messaging situations (such as Messenger Kids or WhatsApp).
Google Messages, the default texting app for Kid-Safe devices, supports detecting and blocking spam texts. You can find out how to set this up by clicking this link.
Great work! This device is now fully protected. To start monitoring protected devices, visit our easy-to-use online dashboard.
If you would like to set up another Kid-Safe device, simply scroll to the top of this guide. If you would like to protect a different kind of device, visit our Guides page.
Step 1: Device setup
Important: To simplify the setup process, if you have a SIM card for the device, you should insert it after you've finished this guide. The device might mention to "Add SIM to connect to a mobile network", which can be ignored. You'll also need to follow the instructions on the SIM packet to activate the SIM card.
After taking the device out of the box, turn it on by holding down the Power button.
Once the device has turned on, tap the Start button.
If you're setting up a tablet, you might also have to select your languge and restart the device as instructed on the device.
Tap the checkboxes for the End User Licence Agreement and Privacy Policy, then tap the Agree button.
Tap the Set up manually button. If you need to transfer data from an old phone, you can do this later with the Samsung Smart Switch app. If you want to do this, we'll show you how to do so at the bottom of this guide.
Tap your Wi-Fi network.
Enter the password for your Wi-Fi network, then tap the Connect button.
Once you've connected to your Wi-Fi network, the device will automatically run through some installation tasks for you. This will take a moment.
Once the automatic installation tasks have finished, you will land on the device's home screen. You'll need to wait a moment to continue the installation.
Tap the checkbox options labelled "I agree to Special Access" and "I agree to Device administrator".
Tap the Agree option at the lower-right corner.
Tap the Agree button on the Samsung Knox Notice page.
If the Safe Surfer app automatically redirects you before you get a chance to tap the Agree button, the Knox Notice page will reappear in a minute or so. Simply tap the Agree button when it appears again.
The Safe Surfer app will let you know some starting information. Swipe up once you've read the information at the top.
Once you've read the rest of the information, tap the Get started button.
If you wish to use either Explorer or Empower mode on this device, you can do this on the online Safe Surfer dashboard later on.
Enter a name for this device, then tap the Next button.
There are two options for the next section.
Important: Please note that you will be connecting this device to your Safe Surfer account as a parent/caregiver, rather than creating an account on behalf of the device user.
If you don't have a Safe Surfer account, enter your details (to create an account as a parent/caregiver), tap the checkbox to agree to the Safe Surfer Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and tap the Next button.
If you already have a Safe Surfer account, tap the Sign in option, enter your login details, and tap the Next button.
Once you've tapped the Next button, the Safe Surfer app might ask you where the device was purchased, along with asking about any applicable referrer. Once you've done this, you can continue with the instructions.
The Safe Surfer app will let you know if you need to add a payment method (and what the due date is) on the Safe Surfer dashboard.
Important: If the app mentions that you need to add a payment method to your Safe Surfer account (for example, if you've never paid for Safe Surfer before, or if it's been several years), we strongly recommend reviewing your payment details now to keep the device restricted as a Kid-Safe device. Before continuing further with the guide, click this link.
Once you're ready, tap the Finish button.
Tap the checkbox found next to Set an admin PIN.
For this last section of setting up the device, the Safe Surfer app will automatically redirect you back to this page if you take more than a moment. If this happens, simply resume what you were last doing. If the device mentions how "Security policy prevents installation of this application", you can ignore this, as the device is doing work in the background.
Set a PIN for the Safe Surfer app, then tap the Confirm button.
Tap the checkbox found next to Enable internet filtering.
Tap the OK option on the Connection request prompt.
Tap the checkbox found next to Restrict app & settings access.
Tap the Installed apps menu.
Tap the Safe Surfer menu.
Tap the switch found next to Off. Ignore the second switch.
Tap the Allow option.
Enter your PIN for the Safe Surfer app, then tap the OK button.
Great work! We've finished the protection installation, but there are a few more things we need to do.
Hold down the Power button to open the Power off menu. On some devices, this is performed by holding down both the Volume down and Power buttons. Tap the Restart option.
Tap the Restart option again.
Step 2: Enable additional features (optional)
To find out how to install additional features, click this link.
Step 3: Transfer data from an old phone with Samsung Smart Switch (optional)
If you have an old phone that you would like to transfer data from (such as call logs and text messages), you can do this by downloading the Samsung Smart Switch app from the Google Play Store app. You'll do this as part of the following step.
Step 4: Enable Data saver (optional)
If you're using the Location tracking feature, we recommend skipping this step. If you're concerned about data usage and want to use Location tracking, you might need to disable the Nudity detection feature inside the Safe Surfer app. We are currently working on a data saver setting for the Safe Surfer app itself, which will be available through a future Kid-Safe Experience update.
If you enabled the Nudity detection feature earlier, Safe Surfer attempts to upload any potential content detections immediately, including over mobile data. If you would prefer to save data (rather than upload as quickly as possible), you can resolve this by navigating to the Settings app > Connections > Data usage > Data saver > enable the switch to turn on the Data saver feature. This means that content detections will only upload over Wi-Fi.
Step 5: Switch to either Explorer or Empower mode (optional)
Once you're ready, you can provide your child with access to further apps either now or in the future. You can do this on the Safe Surfer dashboard by visiting the Devices menu and clicking the More info button on the applicable device listing. You can then switch to your preferred device mode. During this process, the device itself needs to be connected to the Internet (preferably Wi-Fi), and you'll also need the device on-hand to confirm the prompts on the phone during the mode switch. We will add a link to this step once we've curated guides on how to do this. If you switch the device into Explorer mode, you can find out how to approve apps on the Safe Surfer dashboard by clicking this link.
If you would like to allow specific apps in the default Essentials mode, a limited amount of apps (such as Gmail, Google Maps, and the full version of Spotify) can't be used due to how the Samsung Knox security technology works. Devices usually come with various built-in apps that we need to enforce blocking to provide the expected experience. All apps can be used in the Explorer and Empower modes. You can find out more by clicking this link.
Set up Google Play Store parental controls
If you choose to allow access to the Google Play Store in either Explorer or Empower mode, you can find out how to hide inappropriate content through the parental controls settings by clicking this link. Once you're done, return back to this guide.
Important notes
Photos via Messages
If your child would like to send photos via the texting app (that is, Google Messages by default), it's good to keep in mind that sending photos to iPhone devices (or any other phone in certain cases) can inadvertently consume top-up credit, which is separate to your SIM plan. In general, we suggest informing your child that it's best to avoid sending photos through the Messages app unless it mentions "RCS message" in the text field bubble, as shown below. (Most Samsung and other Android phones have RCS enabled by default, which uses the Internet rather than old texting technology.) This issue typically doesn't affect other photo messaging situations (such as Messenger Kids or WhatsApp).
Block spam texts with Google Messages
Google Messages, the default texting app for Kid-Safe devices, supports detecting and blocking spam texts. You can find out how to set this up by clicking this link.
Protection complete
Great work! This device is now fully protected. To start monitoring protected devices, visit our easy-to-use online dashboard.
If you would like to set up another Kid-Safe device, simply scroll to the top of this guide. If you would like to protect a different kind of device, visit our Guides page.
Updated on: 20/01/2025
Thank you!