Pinwheel Caregiver

Pinwheel Caregiver

by Pinwheel

194 ratings
108 reviews
Free

Details

Released
May 25, 2021
Updated
October 28, 2026

Features

Pinwheel Caregiver screenshot #1 for iPhone
Pinwheel Caregiver screenshot #2 for iPhone
Pinwheel Caregiver screenshot #3 for iPhone
Pinwheel Caregiver screenshot #4 for iPhone
Pinwheel Caregiver screenshot #5 for iPhone
Pinwheel Caregiver screenshot #6 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
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About

Manage your child's smartphone usage with a curated app library, safelisted contacts, and customizable schedules. Create routines to foster independence and responsibility, while monitoring location and text messages. This system helps establish healthy tech boundaries without conflict.

✓Safelist contacts with scheduled availability
✓Enable apps from a curated library
✓Schedule app and contact permissions by time of day
✓Create customizable routines for chores and tasks
✓Monitor live location and text messages
✓Companion app for Pinwheel smartphones
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What's New in Pinwheel Caregiver

1.9.3

October 28, 2026

Pinwheel Home setup now supports Canadian home addresses, plus clearer handset instructions and translation updates.

User reviews

Slow and freezes up all the time

The app freezes up on me all the time, takes 30 seconds to switch between pages. I can only reject one contact/text at a time and this phone is spammed constantly by bots - it takes 30 seconds to reject each individual one. Who has time for that??? Why can’t I select all and reject multiple at once? The location notification is laggy although it’s improved over the past couple of months. I love the idea, but everything takes soooooo long it drives me crazy.
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Response from developer

Hi there, the loading times you’re describing aren’t normal for our Caregiver App. It could be related to your phone model or internet speed, but either way it’s worth looking into! Adding contacts is indeed quite the manual process you've mentioned, but it should be quick once the app is running smoothly. Please reach out to our support team through live chat and we’ll help get it sorted!

Very convenient and gives parents peace of mind

My son had been asking for a phone, but I was really hesitant to get him one. I wanted him to be able to call and text me without having unlimited access to the internet and social media. Pinwheel felt like a good compromise! I love that I can manage his contacts, apps, and screen time while still giving him a little independence. It definitely makes me feel better about him having his first phone!
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Helpful with learning communication skills!

We’ve had Pinwheel Home for about 2 months now and let me tell you this is an awesome product. If you’re on the fence about getting a house phone for your toddler then let me help sway you towards it! I got Pinwheel home doubtful my child would hold conversations long on it at all. Boy have I been proven wrong. She loves chatting with her grandparents and family on the phone. The best part is, is that I know who is on the other end. My daughter is 2.5yrs old so really I believe this would be good for toddlers and up!
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The best decision for us!

I honestly can’t say enough good things about pinwheel! The phone and parent caregiver portal & service have all worked so seamlessly, we get immediate updates on his gps(unlike some of the competitors), we can monitor all his texts and calls, we control app downloads and the phone can’t just access Google searches or social media. It’s great for kids who aren’t quite ready for full access on a regular phone, which is great for our 13 year old!
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Careful parents

There are many things I like about the concept of this software and device, but having used it for my 12 (now 13) year old it has a glaring fatal flaw. If your child finds out the parental password and uses it to bypass controls on their phone it does not notify the parent account nor does it log what they do once that control has been bypassed. This had real world consequences for us as our daughter discovered our password and accessed online forums and was being groomed before we discovered the issue. In my opinion this is a fatal flaw and makes me unable to recommend this service.
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Developer apps

FAQ

Does Pinwheel have ads?

No, Pinwheel does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and explore, with subscription costs associated with using a Pinwheel phone.

What is the cost of Pinwheel?

The Pinwheel Caregiver Portal app is free to explore. To use with a Pinwheel phone, plans start at $17.99 per month if you choose your own carrier, or $29.99 per month with Pinwheel Wireless. Discounts are available for multiple devices.

What devices does Pinwheel support?

The Pinwheel Caregiver Portal app is designed for iPhone and iPad devices. It functions as a companion app for Pinwheel smartphones.

How often is Pinwheel updated?

The latest version of Pinwheel Caregiver is 1.9.3, last updated on October 28, 2026. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, this indicates ongoing development.

What age rating is Pinwheel?

Pinwheel has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for parents of young children and older.

Can I use Pinwheel with any smartphone?

No, the Pinwheel Caregiver Portal app is specifically designed to work with Pinwheel smartphones and does not function with other devices.

What do users like about Pinwheel?

Users appreciate Pinwheel's ability to help children develop healthy boundaries around technology use without drama, and its features for creating routines and managing app access.

How does Pinwheel help with routines?

Pinwheel allows for fully-customizable checklists to help children learn independence and responsibility. Parents can create routines for tasks like getting ready for school or bedtime, with positive reinforcement through gold stars and confetti.