Below are frequently asked questions about how we implement third-party apps on your Pinwheel phone. These should help you decide which apps you want to install for your kids and how you can request apps for approval!
I’m interested in purchasing the Pinwheel phone, but I am looking for specific apps that my child needs. Where can I see the list of all approved apps?
Check this page and select “browse apps” to see the list of all apps available in our library!
My child needs an app that’s not included in the App Library. Can I request to have that app added?
You can request apps via the App Request board on your Caregiver Portal. When you search for an app that's not available in our App library, you should see an option to "Request App Review". Please note that app requests are still subject for approval based on our therapist guidelines, which you can find here.
How to access the App Request Board?
You can find this by going to the Apps section of your Caregiver Portal. Once there, please follow the instructions appropriate for how you are viewing the portal:
If you are on a mobile device:
Tap the three dots on the upper-right corner of the screen, then tap “Request an App”.
If you are on your computer:
There should be a button on the upper-right part of the screen that says “Request an App”.
How long does it take for an app to be approved?
It highly depends on the app you are requesting! Aside from researching if the app meets our therapist guidelines, we also need to check for any compatibility issues, as well as any loopholes that allows kids to bypass the Pinwheel System.
If you have any app requests that need to be approved ASAP, please contact Pinwheel Customer Care for assistance!
How are apps rated?
We have 4 different ratings for our posted apps:
✅ Pinwheel Approved — apps that are approved by our therapist guidelines, and are likely to be an easy "yes" for you without much decision-making time.
⚠️ Slightly Out of Bounds — apps that have one or more factors outside the guidelines. These apps help Pinwheel to remain relevant and useful as your child grows up. You may need to spend time considering these, in light of your parenting style, your child's development, and your family values!
🛑 Violates Guidelines— apps that have one or more factors causing them to be unsuitable for many children. The app is usually one required by some workplaces, parents, or schools. Give these apps serious consideration time as apps in this category may not be appropriate for your child.
✖️ Unknown / Untested — apps we could not test thoroughly, usually because of not having full account access. We will label these with everything we do know, but please take the time to investigate the app yourself and use your own judgment.
Do the apps require internet connection to work?
Yes! Aside from downloading app data required for the apps to work, it also needs the internet connection to check for updates. For things like music streaming apps, there should be options to save the app data locally so you can save data allocation!
Didn’t find the answer you were looking for? You can contact Pinwheel Customer Care and we’ll answer any questions you may have! You can also call us at (888) 903-7977