Installation Android
Install the app
Download app - APK or PlayStore
GPS setting and synchronization
Possible issues and solutions
Why is all this so complicated?
Action not allowed? FamilyLink active?
Setup Issue: Restricted Setting
Download app - APK or PlayStore
Before installing the app, you can choose between the APK version and the Play Store version. APK stands for "Android Package Kit" and is a file format used to install Android apps on your device. It is comparable to an EXE file on Windows computers. The APK version is usually more up-to-date and can also be used on devices without a Google account, such as Android TVs, Huawei, and Amazon devices. The Play Store version is easier to install, especially if FamilyLink is used on the device. Please note that the APK and Play Store versions are not compatible with each other. Updates for the APK version must be done by downloading the latest version from our website, while updates for the Play Store version are handled directly through the Play Store. If you encounter any issues during the APK installation (e.g., messages like "Not Allowed" or "Restricted Setting"), you will find various troubleshooting suggestions at the end of this section. Potential issues with APK installation include:
Action not allowed? FamilyLink active?
Setup Issue: Restricted Setting
Installation on the child's device
The installation is always done first on the child's device. Only after the installation is complete can the settings be managed through the web portal or the free parent app. After downloading the app, the welcome screen will appear, followed by the registration screen. Here, you will enter your email address (not your child's email address!) and choose a secure password.
This must be confirmed again during the initial installation. Please remember that you can only change the email address by reinstalling the app, and you will need this email address in the future to log in to the web portal."
Set your (parent) e-mail
After entering this e-mail address, you can decide whether you want to use the app as a child or parent app. The parent app does not require a license and is free. With the help of the parent app you have a quick overview of the day's activities on the children's device and can access the web portal with one click. If you select the item parent app, the installation is already finished at this point. In the children's version, the next step is to enter the device name under which the device will later appear in the Web Portal. It is best to choose a meaningful name here.
Set Android access rights
The device administrator prevents the app from being easily uninstalled. In the second step, you have to activate the accessibility services. These are necessary to control URLs in the Chrome browser app. In the last step you have to enable usage access/stats for Child Control. The usage data is necessary to control individual app run times. The activation of the individual functions varies from device to device. In some cases you have to scroll down to find the appropriate setting. Please contact us if you have difficulties at this point.
Facing Restricted Setting issue?
GPS setting and initial synchronization
In the next step you can choose whether you want to use GPS positioning for the device. If you select YES, Android will ask you if the app should be allowed to use GPS positioning. In this case confirm with YES. As soon as the first synchronization with our server is finished you will see the main page of Child Control. This page is still quite empty at the moment. As soon as apps are running, you will see the total duration of the day and the duration of each app here. It also shows the limits that are activated for the child. With the "Web Portal" button you can also access the settings in the Web Portal from the child app at any time. There is nothing else to do on the child's mobile device.
Remember that the mobile device requires Internet reception (WLAN or an Internet mobile connection) so that you can synchronize settings from the Web Portal (more on this later).
Success! What's next?
To make settings, log in to the Web Portal with your user data. You can find the login directly on our homepage or at https://salfeld.com/en/login/
Illustration: Success! The app was successfully installed! All further steps can now be done from the Web Portal.
Android update notes
If you try to install the current APK version over an existing PlayStore version, you will receive an Android error message. The reason for this is the different signatures of the PlayStore and our version. To update to the current version, you must (unfortunately) first completely uninstall the PlayStore version. After that, you can reinstall the version from the download area of our homepage. Please note on devices with multiple users (e.g., tablets), that the parental control must be uninstalled separately in each user account. Once you start using the new version from our homepage, you can update it in the future without having to uninstall it again.
Install on AndroidTV
Android TV does not provide a browser app as default. In this case you have to download the .apk file on another device (e.g. Windows PC), save it on a USB stick and use this USB stick to install Child Control on the TV. Please note that AndroidTV does not display the app directly on the start page. You can access the app via Settings (cogs) -> Apps -> All apps. AndroidTV also lacks the implementation of the device administrator. This prevents unauthorized uninstall. Alternatively, you can block the app settings via Web Portal -> Apps to prevent an unauthorized uninstall. Notice: Amazon FireTV sticks are not supported (yet).
Why is all this so complicated?
The Android operating system is characterized by a multitude of individual permissions that help protect users' privacy. These permissions ensure that not every app has unrestricted access to the device. Although this is generally a positive measure, it can lead to challenges when setting up Child Control. The app requires the activation of various permissions to fully ensure its functionality. We explain in detail which specific rights are needed in the chapter Required Permissions. If you encounter problems during the setup, this chapter offers initial solutions. We are aware of the complexity of this issue and are also happy to provide personal support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Action not allowed? FamilyLink active?
If the installation of the Child Control App is not possible after downloading and the above message appears, this is due to Google FamilyLink being active on the device. You can solve the problem as follows:
On the parent's device, open the FamilyLink app. Tap on the respective child's device and enable 'Apps from Unknown Sources'. After installing the Child Control App, you can reset this setting.
If there is no FamilyLink app on the parent's device, you can also make this setting online using a browser via https://familylink.google.com/. When accessing this page, make sure that you are logged in to Google with your parent account, which manages the FamilyLink child account. Click on the respective child's device on the FamilyLink overview page and then enable Apps from Unknown Sources.
Setup Issue: Restricted Setting
The following problem can occur when activating permissions such as Accessibility Services on newer versions of Android:
The Android permission for Accessibility Services is needed in Child Control to read the current URL of the web browser for the web filter and potentially block a webpage. It also protects manipulation-critical areas (e.g., adjusting the clock). Since Accessibility Services can be misused by apps, Google has introduced this security feature in newer Android versions. You can solve the problem as follows:
Press the Android back button (multiple times) to return to the setup of Child Control. Then initially skip activating the Accessibility Services. Complete the installation. After that, on the child's device, go to Settings > Apps > Child Control. Click on the three dots at the top right and choose "Allow restricted settings". See the screenshot below (the screenshot is from a Samsung device; the layout may vary on other devices). Then switch back to the Child Control app, scroll all the way down, and press the "Missing Rights" button. Now the Accessibility Services for Child Control should be activatable. If you encounter problems, we are happy to help. Click here for support contact!
