At Pinwheel, we're committed to ensuring your child's device grows alongside them. That's why we offer the option to enable app requests from the Play Store! Turning on this feature allows for the entire Play Store to be accessed on the device and for apps to be requested for installation.
We recommend turning on this feature only if you are comfortable with your child browsing the Play Store and requesting apps that you may not consider appropriate.
Contents
How to Enable
I. Setting Up - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
II. Adding a Google Account - On the Pinwheel Phone
III. Installation - On the Pinwheel Phone
IV. Approval - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
V. Banned Apps - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
VI. Managing Apps - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
Special Notes
I. Disabling the Google Play Store.
II. Apps that requires Google Play Store to work.
III. Installing Chrome and Youtube
Frequently Asked Questions
I. Is the Google Play Store safe?
II. I enabled Google Play but when I tap it to install an app, it doesn’t work/crashes?
III. What’s the difference between Google Play Store and Pinwheel App Library?
IV. How do I know if an app from the Google Play Store is safe for my kids?
V. How do in-app purchases work?
VI. My child's app needs browser access. What should I do?
I. Setting Up - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
1.) Log in to the Caregiver Portal.
2.) Tap More → then select Apps
3.) Select the App Store tab, then tap the toggle button next to the Google Play Store text and ❔ icon. It should initially show "Not Allowed."
4.) A pop-up explaining the feature will appear. We suggest thorough reading before proceeding. Tap Next to proceed.
5.) Check the risks to confirm your understanding. Tap Continue.
6.) Read “How It Works," scroll down, and tap Manage Pending Apps or Skip.
7.) Check toggle beside the ❔ Icon if the label changes from “Not Allowed” to “Allowed.” If the Google Play Store option appears, it would mean that Google Play Store is now enabled on your child’s Pinwheel Phone!
❗️ The Google Play Store requires a 13+ regular Google Account. Please continue reading if you have not set up a Google Account on the Pinwheel device yet.
II. Adding a Google Account - On the Pinwheel Phone
1.) Open the Pinwheel Settings app.
2.) Tap on Unlock Parental and Troubleshoot Options.
3.) Enter your Caregiver credentials → select OK.
4.) Tap on Google Login.
5.) Sign in with a 13+ regular Google Account (Family Link or school-issued accounts will not work with the Google Play Store.)
6.) You’ll be redirected to the Pinwheel Settings app once done.
👉 To read why Google Family Link is incompatible with Pinwheel, check this article here.
III. Installation - On the Pinwheel Phone
1.) Open **Google Play Store** through your home screen.
2.) Search for an app you want installed, and then tap on Install.
3.) Once the downloading is complete, you will still need to approve it in the Caregiver Portal. Proceed to the next set of instructions.
❗️ Some apps are currently incompatible with the Pinwheel device. We are currently working on allowing you and your child to request these apps. Check out the list of known incompatible apps here:
- Google Chrome
- YouTube
This list will be updated as we discover more incompatible apps.
IV. Approval - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
1.) Log in to the Caregiver Portal
2.) Select More → then tap Apps
3.) Select the Pending tab. You can tap Approve or Reject to take action, or tap app itself to view details. If your app is not on the list, refresh your browser page or restart your Caregiver App.
4.) We highly encourage you to review the app by visiting the developer’s website or Google Play Store Listing links. You can find these information by selecting the About tab on the App's details screen.
5.) Once you’ve decided, Approve or Reject the app installation.
👉 While we aim to empower parental choice, certain apps have been prohibited by us to optimize for your child’s safety . Continue reading to understand Pinwheel’s Banned Apps list.
V. Banned Apps - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
1.) If you or your child attempts to install a Banned App, it will appear under the Requested Banned Apps list.
2.) You can find this by going to Apps → then tapping on the Pending tab.
3.) Swipe down to see the Requested Banned Apps list.
4.) You can tap on the Google Play Store Listing link to review the app details, or you can tap the X button to dismiss the app listing.
👉 Check out the full list of banned apps by tapping on See The List tab under Apps Apps → Pending tab.
VI. Managing Apps - In Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal (CGP)
1.) Log in to the Caregiver Portal.
2.) Go to Apps → Installed tab.
3.) From there, you have the freedom to do the following:
- Schedule apps
- Set up Modes
- Uninstall app as needed
- Update: It would be best if you will update the app via Google Play Store.
Special Note:
I. Disabling the Google Play Store.
Follow these steps if you would like to disable the Google Play Store:
1. Log in to the Caregiver Portal.
2. Tap More → then select the App Store tab.
3. Tap the toggle that says "Allowed" near Google Play Store's ❔ icon to disable it.
4. Under Google Play Store, tap Manage, followed by Disable.
5. Check the toggle near the ❔ Icon if the label changes from “Allowed” to “Not Allowed”.
If the Google Play Store option disappears, it means that The Google Play Store is now disabled on your child’s Pinwheel Phone!
II. Apps that require the Google Play Store to work.
Here is a compilation of apps that rely on the Google Play Store for logging in or for some functions to operate effectively.
| App name | Function |
| Amazing Facts Ministry | Webpage Loading |
| Bear In Mind | XAPK Issue |
| Bible Study Fellowship App | Login (needs whitelisting) |
| Brilliant Bible | App Loading |
| CARFAX - Shop New & Used Cars | Login (needs whitelisting) |
| Citi Mobile® | Copyright Issues |
| Dr. Berg | Play Videos |
| Dutch Bros | Login |
| Eyes On Score | Login |
| Fender Play | Login |
| Fight Laugh Feast Network | App Loading |
| Franklin Christian Academy | App Interface |
| Galaxy Wearables | Pairing Device |
| Garmin Watch | Pairing Device |
| Gesa Digital Banking | Copyright Issues |
| Golden 1 Mobile | Copyright Issues |
| Happy Color® – Color by Number | App Interface |
| Hebrew Interlinear Bible | App Interface |
| Huntington Mobile | App Interface |
| Lead Bank Mobile | Copyright Issues |
| LEGO® Powered Up | XAPK Issue |
| Locket | Login |
| Meet Mobile Swim | See Play Stats |
| Mobile Link for Generators | App Loading |
| MYiNNERME: Kids/Teen self-care | App Loading |
| NIIMBOT | Login |
| Planning Center Music Stand | Login |
| Pokemon Go | Login |
| PowerSchool | Login |
| SC Federal Credit Union | Copyright Issues |
| SELCO Community Credit Union | Copyright Issues |
| Silly Sounds for Dogs | App Interface |
| United Prairie Bank | Copyright Issues |
| Utah First Digital Banking | App Loading |
| Vantage CU | Copyright Issues |
| Varo Bank: Mobile Banking | Copyright Issues |
| West Bank Mobile Banking | Copyright Issues |
| West Bank Mobile Banking | Copyright Issues |
| Zoho Notebook | Login |
III. Installing Chrome and Youtube
Due to conflicts with our device system, certain apps such as Chrome and YouTube cannot be requested for installation on the Play Store. Follow these steps if you would like to install these apps:
1. Enable the Google Play Store
2. Go to Pinwheel Settings -> Request System Apps
3. Tap Install on any app
4. Go to your Caregiver Portal -> Apps -> Pending tab
5. Tap Install or Deny
Frequently Asked Questions
I. Is the Google Play Store safe?
The content on the app store (photos, videos, etc.) is controlled by Google. As with many of their products, they exclude explicit adult content but, some might be considered too adult for some individuals. This should be a consideration of how/when you enable Google Play.
II. I enabled Google Play but when I tap it to install an app, it doesn’t work/crashes?
Since the Google Play Store on your Pinwheel Phone has been disabled for some time, it may be outdated. You may need to update to the latest version first:
1. Connect your Pinwheel Phone to the WIFI.
2. Open the Google Play Store app.
3. Tap on the profile icon on the upper right.
4. Tap on Settings, then About, and then Play Store version.
III. What are the differences between the Google Play Store and Pinwheel App Library?
Advantages of the Google Play Store:
- More apps to choose from.
- Latest version and faster updates for apps.
Advantages of Pinwheel App Boutique:
- Curated content with warnings and reviews on app listings to help Caregivers make educated decisions.
- Automatically install apps on new devices.
- No Google Account is required.
IV. How do I know if an app from the Google Play Store is safe for my kids?
Most Google Play Store apps are unvetted by Pinwheel and will not benefit from our loophole-blocking system that restricts access to inappropriate content. Additionally, most apps contain embedded links and browsers that can grant children access to the open web and social media. Unvetted apps from the Play Store could expose your child to inappropriate content, in-app purchases, excessive screen time, and more.
We cannot guarantee children's suitability or safety of apps from the Google Play Store. Should you have any doubts about the appropriateness of an app, we strongly recommend choosing one from our curated library instead, where we've closely examined each app and taken steps to restrict outside access. The apps in our curated library have been carefully and thoroughly vetted and rated by us to optimize for your child's safety.
V. How do in-app purchases work?
1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on the profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Tap on Payments & subscriptions.
4. Tap on Payment methods.
5. Add a new credit or debit card or manage your payment methods.
Please note that your child can also use the payment methods added to the Google Play Store without your supervision. We recommend either using a debit card or deleting the payment method once your child is done using it.
VI. My child's app needs browser access. What should I do?
It's common for apps to require browser access for complete functionality. If you're comfortable with letting your kids have access to a browser, you can install one from the Google Play Store.
Additionally, consider setting up modes or time limits on the browser to manage their access. We recommend staying vigilant about apps that frequently require browser access.
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