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How can I control Android install.

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  • 01-07-2013 1:44pm
    #1
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭


    I want to get an android phone for my son but I want to restrict the apps that he can download, both pay-for and free apps. There are a number of ways to control the pay-for apps, bit I cant find a way to control the play store for free apps. I basically want the fone to be used as a fone and as an mp3 player, if he got games on it, he would never speak to a human being again. Help much appreciated.
    Tagged:


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    #2
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users Posts: 7,711 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    Then get him a cheap feature phone. Whats the point of paying for a high end phone and then disabling the functions that make it worthwhile.


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    #3
    homer911
    Registered Users Posts: 5,113 ✭✭✭homer911


    Just make sure he is on a calls/text package only, then bar him from WIFI through mac address control


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    #4
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    A cheap feature fone wont have a decent app to play music.........


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    #5
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users Posts: 7,711 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    BlueSpud wrote: »
    A cheap feature fone wont have a decent app to play music.........

    Really?


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    #6
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    homer911 wrote: »
    Just make sure he is on a calls/text package only, then bar him from WIFI through mac address control
    All well till he goes to a pals house, downloads a ton of games then returnes to his bedroom for a week,


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    #7
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    Bluefoam wrote: »
    Really?
    Also, at some point I will allow some apps on to it.


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    #8
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,164 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    tumblr_m6i9s2Lmk01r1q9lt.jpg

    Either he's mature enough for a smartphone or he's not. Once he has one you wont keep it locked down, it just wont happen.


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    #9
    Atomic Pineapple
    Registered Users Posts: 18,272 ✭✭✭✭Atomic Pineapple


    BlueSpud wrote: »
    All well till he goes to a pals house, downloads a ton of games then returnes to his bedroom for a week,

    I know this sounds harsh but if you feel the need to restrict his use of a smartphone and don't trust him enough to be sensible in it's use then I have to suggest that a smartphone may not be the best solution here?

    It sounds like a non smart phone plus a nano iPod or basic MP3 player would be a better solution for now?


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    #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Use something like this on the Play Store?


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    #11
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,164 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Use something like this on the Play Store?

    All he has to do is delete his google account and phone will reset, boom, full access. You trust him or you dont, its as simple as tbh.


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    #12
    homer911
    Registered Users Posts: 5,113 ✭✭✭homer911


    You sound like even more of a control freak than I am - and thats saying something.

    You should know whether you can trust your child or not. You also need to know when to give your child the trust they haven't earned, and give them the opportunity to prove themselves - perhaps the outcome will be better than you think? My son is off on a post leaving-cert holiday in a few days. The wife and I are terrified as to what he might get up to, but at some point we have to start trusting him..


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    #13
    Riesen_Meal
    Registered Users Posts: 10,575 ✭✭✭✭Riesen_Meal


    homer911 wrote: »
    You sound like even more of a control freak than I am - and thats saying something.

    You should know whether you can trust your child or not. You also need to know when to give your child the trust they haven't earned, and give them the opportunity to prove themselves - perhaps the outcome will be better than you think? My son is off on a post leaving-cert holiday in a few days. The wife and I are terrified as to what he might get up to, but at some point we have to start trusting him..

    Not the forum for parenting issues or opinions on how people raise their kids.

    OP was looking for info on protecting the handset from what I assume are porn-y type apps and games....


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    #14
    irishpancake
    Registered Users Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭irishpancake


    ED E wrote: »
    tumblr_m6i9s2Lmk01r1q9lt.jpg

    Either he's mature enough for a smartphone or he's not. Once he has one you wont keep it locked down, it just wont happen.

    Imagine the embarrassment of showing that to yer mates???

    Ya gotta trust him.. or don't get him an Android.

    He will have it rooted and put on custom rom on in jig time.....just how it is!!


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    #15
    irishpancake
    Registered Users Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭irishpancake


    homer911 wrote: »
    You sound like even more of a control freak than I am - and thats saying something.

    You should know whether you can trust your child or not. You also need to know when to give your child the trust they haven't earned, and give them the opportunity to prove themselves - perhaps the outcome will be better than you think? My son is off on a post leaving-cert holiday in a few days. The wife and I are terrified as to what he might get up to, but at some point we have to start trusting him..

    What dya think he might get up to??

    You already know...right?? Thats why yer terrified....let it go!!


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    #16
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    draffodx wrote: »
    I know this sounds harsh but if you feel the need to restrict his use of a smartphone and don't trust him enough to be sensible in it's use then I have to suggest that a smartphone may not be the best solution here?

    It sounds like a non smart phone plus a nano iPod or basic MP3 player would be a better solution for now?

    You are right on the mark, but I agreed to buy him a fone next birthday, which would mean the player would be in the bin next year. Any decent player which has a good interface costs a ton and upwards, and I'm not too flush. For the same money I want to get a fone, lock it down, then free it up next year.


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    #17
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    homer911 wrote: »
    You sound like even more of a control freak than I am - and thats saying something.

    You should know whether you can trust your child or not. You also need to know when to give your child the trust they haven't earned, and give them the opportunity to prove themselves - perhaps the outcome will be better than you think? My son is off on a post leaving-cert holiday in a few days. The wife and I are terrified as to what he might get up to, but at some point we have to start trusting him..

    Thanks for that. Now here's some advice on how you should bring up your kids.....


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    #18
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Use something like this on the Play Store?

    That is exactly what I am looking for, you are a star, thanks.


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    #19
    Atomic Pineapple
    Registered Users Posts: 18,272 ✭✭✭✭Atomic Pineapple


    BlueSpud wrote: »
    You are right on the mark, but I agreed to buy him a fone next birthday, which would mean the player would be in the bin next year. Any decent player which has a good interface costs a ton and upwards, and I'm not too flush. For the same money I want to get a fone, lock it down, then free it up next year.

    iPhone would be easier to lock down but I guess that's way over budget?


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    #20
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    draffodx wrote: »
    iPhone would be easier to lock down but I guess that's way over budget?

    I drive a €150 Huawei phone.......


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    #21
    BlueSpud
    Registered Users Posts: 302 ✭✭BlueSpud


    ********************* CLOSED ***********************************


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    #22
    Riesen_Meal
    Registered Users Posts: 10,575 ✭✭✭✭Riesen_Meal


    BlueSpud wrote: »
    ********************* CLOSED ***********************************

    A mod will close this for you when he gets around to it....


    Just on the phone -

    Maybe have a look at that new Vodafone phone for 100 quid for him?

    I believe it can be sim-unlocked online for 8 quid after you buy it... (if he is a different network)

    Best of luck!

    Let me know how you get on with that app if possible, gonna have to do something similar with one of our wee lads tablets in a week for his bday....


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    #23
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,164 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    BlueSpud wrote: »
    That is exactly what I am looking for, you are a star, thanks.

    I'd put serious bucks that your son, or one of his mates, circumvents that within weeks. Just so ya know.


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    #24
    EGriff
    Registered Users Posts: 1,906 ✭✭✭EGriff


    ED E wrote: »
    I'd put serious bucks that your son, or one of his mates, circumvents that within weeks. Just so ya know.

    Could be hours rather than weeks. Android is so easy to work with and has so many forums for each specific phone. Putting a new ROM on takes about 20 minutes (and that includes finding and downloading it).

    Also look at the screenshots on that app... Is that gingerbread or something else? Either way the app looks like it hasn't been updated in ages and may not even work.


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    #25
    elderlemon
    Registered Users Posts: 1,014 ✭✭✭elderlemon


    Check out this article - http://www.androidcentral.com/editor-s-desk-bringing-kids-android-fold

    uses an app called zoodles which allows you to control which apps they can use and how long they can use the phone for. Might be what you're looking for.


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    #26
    irishpancake
    Registered Users Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭irishpancake


    elderlemon wrote: »
    Check out this article - http://www.androidcentral.com/editor-s-desk-bringing-kids-android-fold

    uses an app called zoodles which allows you to control which apps they can use and how long they can use the phone for. Might be what you're looking for.

    Is the OP's son a 7-year old??

    Also, see here:

    http://www.zoodles.com/en-US/home/marketing
    Looking to download our Kid Mode app?

    Kid Mode is briefly unavailable as we finish the new version of our service that incorporates the most recent changes to the Federal Trade Commission's "Children's Online Privacy Protection Act."


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