In a world where you can easily access anything and everything with a few clicks of a button, it is now more than ever even more worrying for parents to watch out for their kids. While the internet opens access to tons of knowledge and interesting materials, it also makes internet users vulnerable to cyber-attacks and bullying. Hence, it is extremely critical for parents to be able to quickly identify and recognize if their children are using the internet healthily and safely or not.
But, not every parent has the time to constantly hover over their kid’s shoulder to watch what they’re doing on the internet. You also won’t really know what your children are really up to when they’re away from you. Kids are an easy target for online harassment and other negative practices online. One of the best ways to keep your kids safe is by relying on a parental control app.
Among the many parental control apps available on the market, the FamiSafe app is one of the best choices that provide you with full oversight of your child’s phone. From ensuring they’re online looking at age-appropriate content to controlling their screen time. But is this the right app for you? In today’s FamiSafe Review, we will go through this app in detail, all of its pros and cons to help you decide if this is the parental control software for you.
What is FamiSafe?
FamiSafe is an award-winning parental control software that helps you protect your children from inappropriate content and dangers lurking in the online environment. If you’ve done your research on spy apps, you’d know that many of them require you to root or jailbreak your target device. Fortunately, FamiSafe works amazingly without requiring you to go through the complicated and tedious process of rooting or jailbreaking.
You need to first understand that many sites online merely appear innocent but have a lot of malicious intent and harmful content hidden behind its mask designed to sell your browsing data to advertisers or even steal personal information without you knowing. In fact, according to research, the majority of young social media users have experienced cyber-harassment and are 1.9 times more likely to commit suicide.
And unlike adults, young kids treat the internet as a rich entertainment source and also a platform where they can express themselves freely without realizing the pitfalls and dangers of sharing too much information online. This is where the parental control app steps in to help you safeguard your children from harm.
FamiSafe is an extension of the Wondershare family that was founded in Shenzhen, China back in 2003. The FamiSafe app is a fairly simple surveillance app that lets you take full advantage of features such as GPS tracking, app management, browser history scanning, and more. While it does not offer much more advanced monitoring features like reviewing call records and messages logs, FamiSafe is a fully legit software that’s accessible in Google Play Store and Apple App Store easily without needing to jailbreak or root the target device.
How Does it Work?
To start our review, let’s first learn how it works. Once you get your subscription, you can install the application on your kid’s device. While you log in, make sure that both phones are connected to the same account.
After completing its setup, you can select the kind of data you want to monitor on your kid’s device. But, they will know that the parental monitoring application is installed on the phone and it is tracking it.
Device Compatibility
FamiSafe app is compatible with different operating systems like Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows operating systems. However, each different OS quill requires different installation steps which are detailed below:
Android/iOS Devices
Head to Play Store or App Store to search for the FamiSafe app and click install.
Alternatively, you can also scan the QR code on the official FamiSafe site.
You can also provide your email address at the download page of the FamiSafe site where it will then send you a download link to the email you’ve provided.
Windows/macOS Devices
There’s no dedicated app or software for computers. Instead, you’ll need to use the official site every time you want to use FamiSafe on Windows or macOS devices.
Features of FamiSafe
So, how good is FamiSafe? The app comes with useful and practical parental control features to help you keep a close eye on your kid’s phone. Here are some of its key features:
Activity Report
On your FamiSafe online dashboard, you can find an Activity Report where it shows you the daily monitoring of your child’s online activity. From here, you can easily navigate and check the browning activity and app usage chronologically.
FamiSafe even prepares a useful report to give you insight into what your kid is watching and searching for on online search engines. Knowing what your kids are searching for online can help you learn more about your kid’s interests and possible challenges they’re facing at the moment. To view all the apps used in the past date, you can select the calendar provided at the top and set the date for which you want to view the activity.
App Blocker
FamiSafe has an app blocker feature that helps you regulate your child’s app usage on their phone. Since apps are classified by age, you can make use of this app blocker feature to only allow age-appropriate software on your kid’s phone. Alternatively, you can also manually block any unsuitable apps that you do not want your kids to use via the app blocker.
If your child tries to open the app blocked by you, the software will show a pop-up message on the screen saying “Your Parents do not want you to use this app.”. Your child can also ask you to grant access to the app by tapping on the Ask Request option.
The App Blocker feature even takes things a step further by allowing you to block certain apps for a given period. This means that you can use it to limit distractions from studying and promote better and healthy online habits.
Screen Time Monitoring
Another great parental control tool is the Screen Time feature that gives you an easy-to-understand graph to visualize your kid’s device usage. With this data, you can easily analyze and find out how much time your kid spends on the internet every day. The Screen Time report can even give you a weekly or monthly analysis to see how their screen time varies across different periods of time. The applications on which your kid spends time are divided into three categories: Video Players and Editor, Action, and Other.
Apart from learning their favorite apps, the software also lets you discover exactly how long your child spends on that app and the time of the day that has them glued to their device. This is a very important parental control feature to help parents learn more about their kid’s smartphone usage.
Smart Schedule
World Health Organization (WHO) has come up with a report that states that children aged 2- 4 should not be using digital devices for more than one hour per day, and kids aged 5 – 18 years old should limit their screen time to not over two hours. Exceeding these thresholds can result in an increased risk of obesity, sleep deprivation, low productivity, depression, and even social anxiety; this is why it is very important for you to limit your children’s screen time on their devices.
With the FamiSafe app’s Smart Schedule feature, you can do exactly that. The app lets you set specific screen time restrictions to limit what time of the day and for how long they’re allowed to use the device. You also have the option to remotely block your kid’s phone remotely as you see fit. This way, you can force your child to go off-screen when they’re supposed to be doing other things, like studying. FamiSafe also understands that a mobile device cannot be completely turned off at certain times, hence parents have the option to whitelist certain apps during the period of restriction.
Web Filter
One of the biggest online threats is surfing on the internet as this is where you open yourselves to the dangers lurking online that could potentially bring harm to your child or their mobile devices. With the Web Filter, parents can restrict access to sites they deem dangerous and even get instant notifications when their kids attempt to visit them.
There are also a variety of filter categories that you can use to restrict your kid’s webpage visits including adult content, crime, and death, drugs, gambling, games, religion, shopping, unethical content, etc. However, you need to know that the Web Filter feature relies on Chrome’s and Safari’s site categories and may not work as effectively on other browsers.
Browser History Monitoring
Another way to learn more about your child’s internet activity is by tracking their browser history, including any searches performed in private or incognito mode. By enabling the SafeSearch feature, the app will ensure that only censored results show up on your child’s search browser. In terms of memory, the software allows users to save up to three months’ worth of browning history for you to check back whenever you need to.
Real-Time Location Tracking
FamiSafe takes advantage of the mobile device’s GPS function to help you track your kid’s whereabouts in real-time. Kids may lie about their whereabouts on the phone. With this feature, you can accurately identify where they are at any time of the day. However, one thing to note is that you shouldn’t stay on the real-time location tracking app for too long as it will drain the battery of your child’s phone.
Location History
Aside from real-time location, the software even gives you the child’s location history to show you where they were throughout the day at different times via Google Maps. This is an important feature as it lets you stay on top of your kid’s location history without needing to constantly call and check up on them. The app doesn’t just show you the visited places, but also the time for which they stayed there.
Geofencing
Another powerful location tracking feature includes the Geofencing functionality. FamiSafe allows parents to set up safe zones where the kid frequently visits. The fencing can be created for areas you don’t want your kids to cross. The set area can be a minimum 100-meter radius with a maximum limit of 1,000 meters radius. Once the app detects your child wandering away from the safe zone, it will immediately send you a notification to keep you aware of where they’re going.
YouTube Monitoring
Aside from your kid’s web browser, FamiSafe also works excellently on YouTube by keeping an eye on what kind of videos your kid is watching online. You can even choose to restrict certain content and channels on their YouTube.
Suspicious Photo Detection
FamiSafe is equipped with advanced technology that can scan photos to determine whether your child is sending or receiving explicit content online or via social media. The app will accurately track the phone’s photo albums and will even send you an alert when your child is watching adult videos or pornographic images. For Android devices, users even have the choice to view and delete the content remotely.
Suspicious Text Detection
On top of scanning photos, the FamiSafe app is able to scan texts to let you know when your kid is sending or receiving offensive and upsetting content from someone through apps like Facebook, Instagram, Kik, Messenger, Twitter, Whatsapp, SMS, Gmail, or even YouTube.
You also have the choice of linking your kid’s social media accounts to your device and choosing which suspicious terms you want the app the monitor. You can add additional trigger words to the database and the software will send you an alert whenever it detects those words appearing anywhere on the mobile device.
Driving History Report
One of the most interesting FamiSafe features is the driving history report that gives you insight into your teenager’s driving habits without requiring you to be seated in the passenger’s seat every time they drive. The app will generate a detailed report after each trip that contains key statistics like average speed, maximum speed, and total driving distance.
In addition to that, you also get a weekly summary of their driving performance and driving routines. The report gives you access to the latest three weeks’ report to monitor progress and put an end to bad habits.
Low Battery Alert
FamiSafe can even give you basic information about your child’s mobile device such as when the phone is about to run out of power. This way, you will know for sure when your kid is lying to you about not returning calls due to low battery. When the battery is low, you can also quickly give your child a call and ask them to come back home or charge the phone.
Additional Features
Free Updates
Once you install FamiSafe on the device, the software will give you free lifetime updates until you stop using the software. This means that you don’t have to worry about paying extra for the latest features, you only need to pay for the amount you paid to get started with FamiSafe.
Money-Back Guarantee
Worried about paying for something you don’t like? No problem! FamiSafe gives you a free trial with a money-back guarantee that gets you each and every penny back into your account if you decide you do not like it. The company will only keep your money if you find it worthy of the money paid after testing it.
Support Service
FamiSafe is a very easy-to-use and understands software that can be easily navigated without too much problem. Nonetheless, in the unlikely event you find yourself in a hard situation, FamiSafe has a dedicated support team that is always there to help you out.
Multiple Numbers of Devices
FamiSafe helps you keep track of all your kids with just a single plan. It doesn’t matter if you only have one or five kids. FamiSafe has a plan that allows you to track multiple devices at the same time so you don’t have to buy different plans for all your kids.
FamiSafe Review – Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable subscription plans.
- Desktop version available.
- Links up to 30 phones.
- Does not require rooting or jailbreaking on your kid’s device.
Cons
- Does not log calls.
- Short and limited free trial
- Does not monitor messaging apps.
- Cannot help you scan contacts, notes, and calendar events stored on your kid’s device.
FamiSafe Pricing
While there is a 3-day free trial with limited features, FamiSafe does not come with a Free Version. If you want to unlock the platform’s full potential or use the app for longer, you will need to upgrade to the FamiSafe Premium version that includes all of the features like website filtering, browsing history tracking, time limit setting, current location tracking, etc discussed above.
FamiSafe has three different plans that are affordable for you to pick from:
- Monthly Plan ($9.99) that lets you monitor up to five devices.
- Quarterly Plan ($19.99) that lets you monitor up to 10 devices.
- Annually Plan ($59.99) that lets you monitor up to 30 devices.
Reviews online have shown that the limited FamiSafe trial is an issue for many users as not only are there limited functionality, but 3 days is too short to test the app properly. Nonetheless, all their premium plans come with a 7-day money-back guarantee where you can apply for a refund request if you find that FamiSafe is not up to your expectations.
Moreover, FamiSafe premium plans are subject to auto-renewal if you pay by credit card or PayPal. If you transfer funds via debit card, digital wallet, or cash on delivery, your subscription will automatically expire by the end of its term.
How to Download FamiSafe?
One of the best aspects of the FamiSafe software is that its installation and use of it are incredibly effortless. Here are a few basic steps you’ll need to execute to complete the installation and begin using the app:
Step 1: Install and Download. Search for FamiSafe on Google Play or Apple store and install it onto your phones.
Step 2: Sign Up. You’ll need to first register an account with FamiSafe from either your own phone or your kid’s phone. Make sure the right designation is applied to all the phones. You should register yourself as “parent” and your child’s phone should be registered as “baby”.
Step 3: Set up the app on your kid’s phone.
For iPhone Devices
Log into your account, pick your child’s identity and enter your child’s personal information like name and age.
Allow FamiSafe permission by enabling the location to be reached and add mobile device management.
For Android Devices
- Log into your account, pick your baby’s name and type the kid’s name and age as you did for the iPhone.
- Grant FamiSafe permission when requested.
- Offer access to Software use.
- Grant FamiSafe access for administration to shield the app from uninstallation by someone other than you.
- Enable position monitoring to watch your child’s phone remotely.
If you happen to encounter any problems during installation or downloading FamiSafe, you can always request a ticket through their app’s Support area or drop them an email at support@wondershare.com and they will respond within 24 business hours.
FamiSafe Review – Final Verdict
FamiSafe is a powerful parenting control tool that promotes better online supervision of children without violating their privacy. It also eliminates the need for a complicated rooting or jailbreaking process of your kid’s device, making it easier to install and handle by parents who are less tech-savvy.
Although FamiSafe does not log calls, monitor conversations in messaging apps, or scan contacts, notes, and calendar events, it does help you keep track of your child’s online activity by making use of text, photo, and video scanning to ensure they’re only watching age-appropriate content.
While FamiSafe has a free trial, it may come up on the short side as it offers limited features and time to test it out. Nonetheless, the app’s premium subscriptions are very affordable and even lets you supervise up to 30 devices. The premium subscriptions even come with a 7-day money-back guarantee in case you don’t think it’s suitable.
Overall, FamiSafe is a very affordable app that helps you control screen time, conduct current location tracking, track your kid’s device, app usage, filter websites, and more without violating your child’s privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FamiSafe free to use?
Unfortunately, FamiSafe is not free to use as it does not have a free version. However, FamiSafe offers a very affordable plan and the company even gives you a three-day free trial as well.
Can I install FamiSafe remotely?
Yes, you can install the FamiSafe app from Play Store or Apple Store on your kid’s device remotely. But you’ll need to have the same account signed in on their Google Play Store. That said, you’ll still need manual intervention to complete the setup.
Do I need to jailbreak or root the device for FamiSafe to work?
No, you do not need to jailbreak or root the device for FamiSafe to work. In fact, FamiSafe does require you to do anything that will harm your device in any way. Even the permissions that FamiSafe asks you to give are compulsory for you to spy on your kid’s device.
Can FamiSafe monitor Snapchat?
Some of the useful features on FamiSafe allow you to monitor Snapchat. You can look at how long your kid was using Snapchat. You can even set a timer to control the app usage before it gets too addictive.
Can I use FamiSafe to monitor computers, Xbox, etc?
No, you cannot use FamiSafe to monitor computers and Xbox. FamiSafe can only be used to monitor your kid’s mobile device.
What can FamiSafe see?
You can use FamiSafe to detect blocked sites and apps, detect inappropriate words or phrases used in the phone, and locate the target device. Likewise, the app can also help you control screen time, restrict website access and app usage, monitor driving performance, and even help you identify explicit content on the phone.
Is FamiSafe parental control software good?
Yes, FamiSafe is a good app to help you monitor and teach your child proper internet usage in moderation. With that being said, it may not be the best at spying as it lacks capabilities such as call logging, contact, note, calendar scanning, keylogging, and screen recording.
Is FamiSafe expensive?
No, FamiSafe is not expensive. The company offers very reasonable plans for you to track your child’s phone usage. It even has a three-day free trial for the control software before upgrading to a premium plan. The monthly subscription costs $9.99 and lets you link up to five phones, the quarterly plan is $19.99 and allows up to 10 phones. The annual plan goes for $59.99 and gives you access to up to 30 phones.
Is FamiSafe hidden?
Yes, FamiSafe is hidden as it runs in the background, but it will display a pop-up upon startup.