Findmykids App Reviews: Is It Really Free? How Does It Work?
As parents, the safety of our children is always a priority, especially when we’re not around to watch over them. In this digital age, tools like Findmykids have become essential for many families. While many user reviews mention that Findmykids is free, it’s important to clarify that not all of its features are.
In this review, we’ll explain which features are free, how Findmykids works, and what Pingo by Findmykids is, so you have all the necessary information before making a decision. Make sure to get the full picture before downloading or purchasing the app!
What is Findmykids App and How Does It Work
Findmykids is a location tracking app that allows parents to monitor their children's real-time whereabouts. Through this app, you can not only see the exact location of your child, but also access other useful features, such as location history, alerts when your child leaves a safe zone, and much more. This makes Findmykids a valuable tool for ensuring the safety of younger kids.
To use it, you need to install the app on your phone and another app called Pingo on your child's device, or use a compatible GPS watch. The app shows the location on a map, allows you to review movement history, set up safe zones, and receive alerts if the child leaves them. Additionally, it includes a panic button and monitors the child’s device battery level for added peace of mind.
The app you install on your phone:
- Findmykids app
The app you install on your child's device:
- Pingo app
Detailed Review of Findmykids Features
Findmykids offers some features that can be tested for free, as well as others that require a paid subscription. Below, we will break down both types of features separately.
Free Features of Findmykids
These are the features that can be used at no additional cost after downloading the app:
Feature | Brief description |
Real-time tracking | Allows parents to see the child’s exact location on a map. |
Location history | Shows the places the child has visited recently. |
Battery monitoring | Parents can monitor the child’s device battery level. |
Panic button (SOS) | The child can send an emergency alert to parents with their exact location when they need help. |
Loud signal | Allows parents to make the child’s device emit a loud sound, even if it's on silent or low volume. |
Basic notifications | Parents receive alerts for entering or leaving safe zones and low battery alerts. |
Detailed overview of free features
Findmykids stores the history of your child’s locations for the last 24 hours. This feature allows parents to review where their child has been throughout the day, providing a clear picture of their movements.
A common concern is that the child’s device may run out of battery and no longer be trackable. This feature enables parents to monitor the battery level of their child's phone or GPS watch and receive alerts when it’s low.
This feature allows the child to send an emergency alert to their parents by pressing a button on their device. If the child feels endangered or needs immediate help, they can activate the panic button (SOS) to notify their parents.
The Loud Signal feature is designed for situations when the child isn’t responding to calls or messages, and parents need to quickly get their attention. It lets parents trigger a loud sound on the child’s device, even if it’s on silent or the volume is low.
Parents can set up safe zones on the map and receive instant notifications whenever their child enters or exits these designated areas, providing peace of mind about their child’s location.
Paid features (Premium)
Findmykids offers advanced features through a subscription that provides greater control and additional options to ensure the safety of children:
Feature | Description |
Extended location history | Access to location history for more than 24 hours, allowing detailed tracking of your child's movements. |
Ambient sound listening | Allows parents to remotely listen to the surrounding environment of the child’s device to check their safety. |
Advanced notifications | More detailed and customizable notifications, allowing you to adjust the frequency and type of alerts you receive. |
Priority technical support | Access to priority technical support for quick resolution of any issues or questions regarding the app. |
Detailed overview of premium features
This feature allows parents to access a complete history of the places their child has visited for more than 24 hours, providing a detailed record of their movements over multiple days or even weeks.
With this feature, parents can remotely listen to the ambient sounds around their child's device to verify if they are in a safe environment.
Advanced notifications offer more customization, allowing parents to fine-tune alerts based on their preferences. Parents can adjust the frequency and types of notifications they receive to suit their needs.
Premium users gain access to priority technical support, ensuring a quicker response time for any issues or questions about the app. This provides peace of mind for parents needing assistance.
Findmykids Premium Pricing
1 Month | $2.99 |
1 Year | $16.99 |
How to Install and Set Up Findmykids
Step 1. Download the app
Parent's phone: Search for and install Findmykids from Google Play or the App Store.
Child's phone: Install the Pingo - Chat with Parents app on your child's device.
Step 2. Create an account and link devices
Parents: Open Findmykids, register with your email or phone number.
Child: Open Pingo, accept the permissions, and link the devices by scanning the QR code or manually entering the code.
Step 3. Set up permissions
Child: Accept the GPS and notification permissions in Pingo.
Parents: Set up safe zones, notifications, and check real-time location in Findmykids.
Once set up, you're ready to start using the app to monitor your child’s location and ensure their safety.
Real User Reviews of Findmykids
Most users find the location tracking feature very useful, but there are also some negative reviews.
One user mentioned that the app didn’t meet their expectations. They were hoping to control screen time and listen to the surroundings of their grandchild, but discovered these features aren’t available on iPhone.
Another user noted that the app worked well initially, showing their daughter's location in real-time. However, over time, they started experiencing delays, and now the app incorrectly shows that their daughter is always at home, even though they know that’s not the case.
These reviews highlight both the app’s strengths and areas where it may fall short for some users.
Findmykids App Alternative: Is Msafely the Better Choice
If you're considering alternatives to the Findmykids app, Msafely could be an excellent choice, depending on your needs. Below is a breakdown of why Msafely may be the better choice for some families, and how it compares to Findmykids.
Comparison at a glance
Feature | Findmykids | Msafely |
Real-time location tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
Text message monitoring | ❌ | ✅ |
WhatsApp monitoring | ❌ | ✅ |
Call history monitoring | ❌ | ✅ |
Social media access | ❌ | ✅ |
Hidden mode | ❌ | ✅ |
Recommended age range | Under 13 years | Under 18 years |
Price (Monthly) | $2.99 | $39.99/month |
Price (Annually) | $16.99/year | $8.33/month (12 months) |
Why consider Msafely as an alternative to Findmykids app
Msafely offers a range of advanced features that Findmykids lacks. If you’re looking to go beyond basic location tracking, Msafely includes:
- Text message monitoring
- Call history monitoring
- Browsering history monitoring
- Installed app checking
These features can be critical for parents who want more comprehensive control over their child’s phone activity, especially as they get older and use a wider range of apps.
Findmykids does not provide any tools to monitor social media apps like Facebook or Instagram. Msafely, however, can monitor 16 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. Parents can view their kids' chat history, posts, and interactions on these platforms to help ensure their online safety.
Unlike Findmykids, which displays the app openly on the child's phone, Msafely operates in hidden mode, making it more discreet. This is ideal for older children or teens who are more privacy-conscious and may resist tracking apps.
Msafely is designed for children up to 18 years old, making it suitable for both younger kids and teenagers. This flexibility makes it a better option for families who want to track the activities of older children without raising privacy concerns.
Which one is right for you
Choose Findmykids if you're looking for a simpler, more budget-friendly option for younger children (under 13) and are mainly focused on location tracking and basic alerts. It's a great tool for parents who want to keep an eye on their kids' whereabouts without needing advanced monitoring.
Choose Msafely if you need advanced monitoring capabilities, including access to text messages, social media, and call history, or if you're tracking older children (up to 18 years old). Msafely is ideal if you require discreet tracking and greater privacy control for older kids.
Ultimately, Msafely stands out as a more comprehensive and versatile tool, while Findmykids is simpler and better suited for younger children or parents looking for basic features at an affordable price.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Findmykids is a useful tool for parents who want to track their children's location in real time and receive safety alerts, offering basic features like GPS tracking and creating safe zones. However, if you're looking for more comprehensive parental control, Msafely might be a better option, as it offers advanced features such as app blocking, screen time management, and more detailed control over device usage. Ultimately, choose the app that best meets your needs and those of your family.
FAQs
Q1. What is Findmykids and how does it work?
Findmykids is an app designed for parents to track their children's location in real-time. It uses the GPS signal from the child's device (phone or smartwatch) to show their location on an interactive map and sends alerts when the child enters or exits predefined safe zones.
Q2. How can I know where my child is without installing an app?
If you want to know your child's location without installing any software on your phone or theirs, Msafely is the perfect choice. With its cloud-based solution, Msafely lets you track your child's past and current locations remotely, no apps needed.
Q3. Is Findmykids app compatible with all devices?
The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Q4. Is the app free?
Findmykids offers a free version with basic features like real-time tracking and safe zone alerts. However, to access advanced features like extended location history or the ambient listening function, you need to subscribe to the premium version.
Q5. How do I install Findmykids on my child’s device?
You need to install Findmykids on your device and the linked app Pingo on your child’s device. Then, you can pair the two devices by scanning a QR code or entering a manual code generated during installation.
Q6. Can I listen to my child’s surroundings with Findmykids?
Yes, the ambient listening feature is available in the premium version of Findmykids.