Hi, {Username}
The Power of Support
Find answers to all of your questions
Boost Family Guard
Some Extras are not available with all phones/networks.
To view all Extras compatible with your current plan, log in to My Account.
About Boost Family Guard
What is Boost Family Guard?
Boost Family Guard is a comprehensive family safety app. It provides powerful and easy-to-use tools to help family members stay connected and safe inside and outside the home. Boost Family Guard also provides robust Parental Controls that enable parents to manage their children’s online activity.
From the Boost Family Guard parent app, you can:
Locate all family members (Family Map view).
Locate a specific family member (Individual Map view).
Track family members in real time.
View a family member's location history and timeline.
Get notified when family members enter or leave specific areas.
Notify family members of your current location (Check In).
Send and receive Family Alerts (SOS Alert).
Monitor web and app usage on your child's devices.
Control access to internet-based apps and websites.
Control the installation of new apps (iOS devices only).
Schedule internet off times.
Block internet access instantly.
These features require Boost Family Guard (for Adults) or Boost Family Guard Kids (for Children) to be installed on your family members' devices.
What devices does Boost Family Guard support?
Any 5G-capable phone or tablet can use the Boost Family Guard app for Location monitoring and Parental Controls features as well as 4G phones, Wi-Fi tablets and iPads. Android devices must be running Android 10 or higher and iOS devices must run iOS 15 or higher.
Can I add an iPad or Android tablet to Boost Family Guard?
Yes. Boost Family Guard and Boost Family Guard Kids do not currently offer the aspect ratio formatted specifically for a tablet. However, the Android mobile phone app can be installed on Samsung Galaxy tablets, and the iOS mobile phone app can be installed on iPads running iPad OS 15 or later.
How many family members and devices does Boost Family Guard support?
Boost Family Guard supports up to twenty-two (22) family member profiles (individual family members) and up to ten (10) devices. Devices can be Android or iOS smartphones, tablets (with and without SIM cards), or iPads (with or without SIM cards).
What types of family profiles does Boost Family Guard support?
There are three (3) profile types:
Adult/Admin (typically the primary parent)
Adult/Viewer (can be secondary parent/guardian, nanny, babysitter, or other adult)
Child/Teen
Adult/Admin and Adult/Viewer will have the Boost Family Guard parent app installed on their phone. Child/Teen will have the Boost Family Guard Kids app installed on all their mobile devices (phone, tablet, or iPad).
How many of each profile type can I create?
Boost Family Guard supports two (2) Adult/Admin profile, ten (10) Adult/Viewer profiles, and ten (10) Child/Teen profiles.
Do I have to install the Boost Family Guard Kids app on my child's device?
Yes, you must install the Boost Family Guard Kids app on your child's device to use the parental controls and location tracking features. Adults must install the Boost Family Guard app on their device to track the location of other family members.
Signing Up for Boost Family Guard
Who is eligible to sign up for Boost Family Guard?
Boost Mobile wireless customers
Boost Infinite wireless customers
How much is Boost Family Guard?
The monthly subscription price for Boost Family Guard is $10.00 and includes the first 14 days free. Cancel anytime.
How do I sign up for Boost Family Guard?
If you are a Boost Mobile or Boost Infinite wireless customer, you can sign up through the Boost Family Guard app.
Note: New subscribers must install the Boost Family Guard Kids app on their child's device to use the parental controls and location tracking features. Adults must install the Boost Family Guard app on their device to track the location of other family members.
To sign up through the Boost Family Guard app
Download the app from Google PlayTM or the Apple® App Store® to your AndroidTM smartphone or iPhone®.
Open the Boost Family Guard app and tap Get Started.
Select Create New Account from Adult’s Device if you are signing up for the first time.
Enter your phone number and tap Send. (The number you enter should be for the device you are using to sign up for Boost Family Guard.)
Enter the PIN code sent in a text message to the phone number you entered in the previous step and tap Verify.
Note: If you are not a Boost Mobile or Boost Infinite wireless customer, you will see an error message saying you cannot sign up for the Boost Family Guard service.
Tap the checkbox to accept the Boost Family Guard Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and
then tap Subscribe to sign up for the Boost Family Guard service.
Confirm the subscription on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store billing dialog screen that appears.
Note: Customers who sign up for Boost Family Guard via the app on iOS devices are directed to their App Store account to complete the billing process. Customers who sign up on Android devices are directed to their Play Store account.
Tap Continue on the Congrats! You are all signed up screen.
Do I have to be a Boost Mobile or Boost Infinite wireless customer to sign up for Boost Family Guard?
Yes, Boost Family Guard is only available to primary account holders who are Boost Mobile or Boost Infinite wireless customers. Customers of other US wireless carriers will not be able to sign up for the Boost Family Guard service.
Can users of other US wireless carriers (non-Boost Mobile, non-Boost Infinite) use Boost Family Guard?
Boost Family Guard does not allow users on other US wireless carriers to sign up for the service. However, Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite wireless customers can invite family members on other US wireless networks to join their Boost Family Guard account. Those family members must have the Boost Family Guard or Boost Family Guard Kids app installed on their device.
Managing Account and Assigning Roles
How can I access and manage settings for my Boost Family Guard account?
As the Boost Family Guard Adult Admin, you can manage your Boost Family Guard account within the Boost Family Guard app on your mobile device. Tap the menu (3-bar) icon in the upper-left corner of the Family Hub to open the Left Menu, and then tap Settings.
How do I add family members to my Boost Family Guard account?
If you have Admin privileges assigned to your profile, you can add family members to your Boost Family Guard account by following these steps:
Tap the orange plus icon on the Family Hub.
Tap Invite Family.
Enter the family member's name, add their mobile phone number (optional), and then tap Add family member.
Select a profile type (Adult or Child/Teen).
Follow steps for the type of profile:
If Adult profile:
Select the privileges (Admin or View Only).
Enter the family member's mobile phone number or email address for sending the invite.
Tap Send invite.
If Child or Teen profile:
Accept the parental consent for collection of data.
Choose a Content Filter level (High, Medium, Low).
If desired, enable privacy & safety settings, and manage access to categories, apps and websites. Tap Continue.
Set Time Limits for internet access or skip for now.
Set a Bedtime to block internet access/device use overnight or skip for now.
Enter the child's mobile phone number or email address for sending the invite code.
Tap Send invite.
Note: There is also a Scan QR Code option as an alternative to sending an invite code. This option is useful when you have the family member's device in hand with the Boost Family Guard or Boost Family Guard Kids app already installed. Tap Scan QR Code at the top of the Set up device screen and follow the on-screen instructions.
Note: When inviting an adult to the family, the adult will be invited to download the Boost Family Guard app. When inviting a child/teenager to the family, the child will be invited to download the Boost Family Guard Kids app.
Can I set up a second parent/guardian in Boost Family Guard?
Yes. Create a new Adult profile with the desired privileges (Admin or Viewer) and then send an invite to the secondary parent’s device. The secondary parent should download and open the Boost Family Guard app, select Join Your Family’s Account, and then enter the invite code. There is also a Scan QR Code option as an alternative to entering an invite code. Tap Scan QR Code at the top of the Set up device screen and follow the on-screen instructions.
Can I change the role of a family member?
Yes. If you have Admin privileges assigned to your profile, you can change an Adult family member's profile to Adult Admin or Adult Viewer. To do so:
Select the family member in the Family Hub.
Tap the Settings icon in the upper-right corner of the map.
Tap Profile type and select the desired role based on privileges.
If you want to change a family member's role from Adult to Child or Child to Adult, you must first
remove their profile and create a new profile with the desired role. To do so:
Select the family member in the Family Hub.
Tap the Settings icon in the upper-right corner of the map.
Scroll to the bottom of the Edit Profile screen and tap Remove Profile.
Create a new profile with the desired role.
Boost Family Guard Child Profiles
What does my child see when they open the Boost Family Guard Kids app?
To help promote good online habits and participate in their own screen time management, your child will have their own dashboard screen, which shows:
Product tour highlighting child features including rewards, usage, countdown, SOS alert.
Content filter status for their profile (High, Medium, or Low).
Current internet access status.
Number of devices being managed.
Check In button.
SOS Family Alert button.
Minimized Family Map showing all family members’ locations.
A button to maximize the Family Map view.
List of Rewards (if granted).
List of Time Limits (if configured).
Countdown to Bedtime (if configured).
Countdown to Off Time (if configured).
Top three app and website usage totals.
History of their devices’ locations.
Current location(s) of their device(s) on a map.
Can my child locate me as the parent?
Yes, but this is optional for the parent. Only if you chose to share your location with all family members on the Boost Family Guard account and turn on family location view for the child, can your child see your location on the Family Map.
You can turn location sharing on and off in the Profile Settings section of your Edit Profile page in the Boost Family Guard app. By default, this location sharing preference is turned on for all profiles.
You can turn the Family Map view on and off in the child’s Profile Settings section of their Edit Profile page. By default, this view is turned on for Child profiles.
Can my child view my web and app activity?
No. A child can't view the web and app activity for any other family member on the Boost Family Guard account. However, your child will be able to view their own web and app activity for their three most- used apps or websites on the current day. This is to help instill good online habits by allowing the child to participate in managing their screen time.
What notifications will my child receive from Boost Family Guard?
Your child will be notified of the following Boost Family Guard events:
A family member entered or left a Safety Area.*
The child entered or left a Safety Area.**
A family member sent a Check In or SOS alert.*
The child sent a Check In or SOS alert.**
A parent made a change to the child’s Reward or Advanced Parental Controls (iOS).*
A Parental Control that limits the child’s online activity is approaching, starting, or ending.*
A device assigned to the child’s profile has location settings disabled.**
A device assigned to a family member has a low battery.*
A device assigned to the child’s profile has a low battery.**
A device assigned to a family member has Power Saving turned on.*
A device assigned to the child’s profile has Power Saving turned on.**
*These notifications require notifications related to other family members to be turned on in the child’s
profile settings.
**These notifications require notifications related to their own profile to be turned on in the child’s profile settings.
Family members with Admin profiles can turn notifications regarding other family members and/or notifications related to the child’s own profile on or off in the child’s profile settings.
Can I reduce or stop these notifications?
You can reduce the number of notifications you receive as follows:
Select your profile icon on the Family Hub.
Tap the Settings icon in the upper-right corner of your profile details.
Under Profile Settings, use the toggle switch next to the (Profile name) receives their own notifications option to turn off notifications related to your own profile.
You can reduce the number of notifications your child receives as follows:
Select your child's profile icon on the Family Hub.
Tap the Settings icon in the upper-right corner of their profile details.
Under Profile Settings, use the toggle switch next to the (Profile name) receives their own notifications option to turn off notifications related to their own profile.
Under Profile Settings, use the toggle switch next to the Receive push notifications from other family members option to turn off notifications from family members.
Location Monitoring and Alerts
Does my child need to have the Boost Family Guard Kids app installed on their device for me to locate them?
Yes. Your child must install the Boost Family Guard Kids app on their device for you to locate them. When the Boost Family Guard Kids app is installed on your child's device and the device has joined the Boost Family Guard account, you'll get:
A precise device location on the Family and Individual maps.
The ability to track family members in real time as they change locations.
A location history and timeline of recent movements (breadcrumb trail).
Scheduled Location Alerts indicating where your family member is at a specific time of the day.
Arrival and Departure alerts when your child enters or leaves a Safety Area such as home or school.
A Check In feature that lets your child send you a notification with their precise location.
An SOS feature that sends an alert to all family members.
Will my child know when I have located them using Boost Family Guard?
No. Your child won't know when you've located them. However, during setup of the Boost Family Guard Kids app on the child’s device, the parent or guardian must accept the permission on behalf of the child allowing the app to monitor their location and share it with family members. In compliance with privacy policies your child will receive a monthly SMS message or notification from the Boost Family Guard app reminding them they can be located by the Adult/Parent Admin.
How can I optimize accuracy for locating my child's device?
If your child's device has the Boost Family Guard Kids app installed, the location accuracy will indicate a street address. However, location accuracy is highly dependent on mobile OS settings outside of the Boost Family Guard app, including but not limited to:
Child device has good connectivity to a data network and Wi-Fi is turned ON.
Child device has Location permission setting within their OS turned ON.
Child device has Precise Location within their OS turned ON (iOS 14 or above).
Child device has High Accuracy within their OS turned ON (Android 12 or above).
Child device has location sharing permission within the OS set to Always allow access to child's device location.
Child device has Background App Refresh within their OS turned ON (iOS only).
Child device has Battery Optimization and Power Saving within their OS turned OFF (Android only).
Why am I being notified to turn off Power Saving on my child's Android device?
Turning Power Saving off in the Android OS settings improves Boost Family Guard's ability to locate your child accurately. Tapping Learn more in the notification banner displays a list of location settings for your child's device. A red status icon identifies the settings that should be changed to improve location accuracy. Tap Send instructions to provide your child with details on how to change the settings on their device.
Does Boost Family Guard location services work when the phone is outside my mobile service provider's network or roaming internationally?
Boost Family Guard is designed to be used within your mobile service provider's coverage areas in the continental US and Hawaii. As such, some features may be unavailable outside of this service area.
However, if your family member’s device has the Boost Family Guard or Boost Family Guard Kids app installed and is connected to Wi-Fi when it's outside the Boost network or roaming internationally, you should be able to see the device's location.
What should I do if I can't see my child's device location with Boost Family Guard?
If a child can't be located, the child's device may be turned off or the phone's location functionality is deactivated. The child may also be in an area where there is no, or very poor, network connection (two bars of signal strength or less).
If the phone can't be located for an extended period of time, check the child's device settings to ensure:
Child device has good connectivity to a data network and Wi-Fi is turned ON.
Child device has Location permission setting within their OS turned ON.
Child device has Precise Location within their OS turned ON (iOS 14 or above).
Child device has High Accuracy within their OS turned ON (Android 12 or above).
Child device has location sharing permission within the OS set to Always access child's device location.
iPad or Android tablet has push notifications for Boost Family Guard and Boost Family Guard Kids turned ON.
Child device has Background App Refresh within their OS turned ON (iOS only).
Child device has Battery Optimization (Power saving) within their OS turned OFF (Android only).
If the device still can't be located after 24+ hours (and the settings are accurate), contact Boost
customer support by calling 833-50-BOOST (833-502-6678) from your mobile phone.
How long does Boost Family Guard store location history?
You can view a family member’s location history for the last 7 days only.
Can I use Boost Family Guard to locate a device that's not on my Boost Mobile or Boost Infinite Wireless plan?
Yes. You can send invites to join your Boost Family Guard account to family members on other US wireless carrier networks (Non-Boost Mobile, Non-Boost Infinite). After they install the Boost Family Guard or Boost Family Guard Kids app and join, you can locate their device in the Boost Family Guard app.
What is a Safety Area and how do I set one up for my child?
Boost Family Guard lets you create and monitor virtual Safety Areas such as home, school, and work. For example, parents who want to know if (and when) their child arrives at school can be notified when their child enters or leaves a school-defined Safety Area. Another Safety Area may monitor the home of an elderly relative so you can be notified when that family member enters or leaves their home. There are three ways to set a Safety Area: from the left menu, from the quick-action menu, and by using a device's current location.
To set a Safety Area from the left menu, follow these steps:
Tap the menu icon in the upper-left corner of the Family Hub or Family Map and select Location Alerts.
Tap Safety Areas > Create Safety Area.
Enter an address and a name for the desired Safety Area.
If desired, expand or reduce the Safety Area by manipulating the orange circle. (The minimum area is 492 feet.)
Tap Next.
Choose which family members trigger the Safety Area alert, and which events (arriving or leaving) apply.
Tap Create.
To set a Safety Area from the quick-action menu, follow these steps:
Tap the orange plus icon on the Family Hub or Family Map.
Tap Safety Areas > Create Safety Area.
Enter an address and a name for the desired Safety Area.
If desired, expand or reduce the Safety Area by manipulating the orange circle. (The minimum area is 492 feet.)
Tap Next.
Choose which family members trigger the Safety Area alert, and which events (arriving or leaving) apply.
Tap Create.
To set a Safety Area from a device's current location, follow these steps:
Tap the desired family member's icon on the Family Hub.
Tap the device icon on the map. A pop-up box appears with the device's current address.
Tap Save Area.
Enter a name for the Safety Area.
If desired, expand or reduce the Safety Area by manipulating the orange circle. (The minimum area is 492 feet.)
Tap Next.
Choose which family members trigger the Safety Area alert, and which events (arriving or leaving) apply.
Tap Create.
What is a Scheduled Alert and how do I set one up for my child?
Boost Family Guard enables you to schedule alerts that let you know your family members’ location at a specific time of day. For example, you may schedule an alert for 11:00 PM on weekend nights to check your teenager’s location at curfew, or you might schedule an alert for 5:00 PM on Thursdays to verify whether your child made it to piano lessons on time.
To create a scheduled alert, follow these steps:
Tap the menu icon in the upper-left corner of the Family Hub or Family Map and select Location Alerts.
Tap Scheduled Alerts > Create Scheduled Alert.
Enter an alert name, the days to which the alert applies, and the time of the alert.
Select whether the alert should repeat every week and assign the alert for the desired family members (you will receive a location update from the selected family members at the scheduled time).
Tap Create.
Web and App Activity and Limits
Can I see my child's screen time for the day?
Yes. The Usage section in your child’s profile details gives an overview of the time your child spent using the internet on their device each day. Usage displays the total internet usage time and the time spent on individual internet-based apps, websites, and categories (as defined in Content Filters). You can view usage by day, week, month, and specific date range.
Note: Because this usage data is stored remotely on secure servers, it may take up to six minutes for a child’s internet usage to appear on your device.
Can I see what websites my child viewed?
The Usage History section of Boost Family Guard provides a detailed breakdown of which sites a child visited throughout the day. For example, if 30 minutes of Tik Tok time appears in Usage, a parent can select Usage History to see a list of Tik Tok web addresses the child visited.
To view your child’s Usage History, tap the history (clock) icon at the top-right corner of the Usage screen. Usage History displays two tabs.
The Visited tab shows a historical timeline of all sites the child visited and the time the sites were accessed.
The Filtered tab shows a historical timeline of all sites the child attempted to access but were blocked by Boost Family Guard.
The sites in each tab are grouped by day, starting with the most recent day with internet usage.
Can I receive alerts about my child’s web or app activity?
Family members with Adult profiles are notified when a child reaches a time limit. You must have notifications turned on in your profile settings to receive this alert.
Can I see my child’s internet search history?
No. Boost Family Guard does not track your child’s web browser search history. However, in Usage History you can see the websites they visited and the websites they attempted to visit but were blocked by Boost Family Guard.
You can also filter your child’s web browser search results by toggling on Safe Search in Content Filters. This setting blocks all Yahoo searches and removes sexually explicit content from search results on Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo.
Can I view my child's web and app activity when they're on Wi-Fi or offline?
All online activity will be available in the Usage section of Boost Family Guard, including while your child is on Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection. (Note that any activity on apps, websites, or categories set to Ignored in Content Filters is not tracked.)
However, Boost Family Guard does not show your child's usage of apps that do not use internet services and may run offline locally on their device. This could include select non-internet-based games for example.
How is my child's web and app activity being collected?
When setting up the Boost Family Guard Kids app on your child's device, you let us establish a VPN profile on that device through which all internet-related activity passes. We use the VPN connection to provide you with these Parental Controls features: Content Filters, Time Limits, Off Time, Bedtime, Internet On/Off, and Usage.
Can I see the web and app usage of Adult devices on my account?
No. You cannot monitor web and app usage of Adult devices.
Who can view my child's web and app activity?
Only family members with Adult profiles on your Boost Family Guard account are able to view your child’s web and app usage.
Adult Viewer profiles can see the Usage section in the child’s profile details, which displays the child’s total time spent on the internet for the current day. Adult Admin profiles can tap the Usage section to view additional details about the child’s web and app activity.
Who can view my child's web and app activity?
Can I turn off the Usage feature on my child's phone?
No. You can’t turn off the Usage feature for your child’s profile. However, you can set any apps,
websites, or categories you do not want to track for your child to Ignored in Content Filters. The Ignored option allows your child to access the website, app, or category at any time without its use being tracked in Usage or managed by other Parental Controls.
Can I limit how much time my child spends online?
Yes. You can limit your child's daily internet use with Time Limits. Set an overall internet limit for the day and create custom time limits for the various app & website categories and individually managed apps. Different time limits can be selected for weekdays and the weekend.
Time limits can be set from no time limit to 12 hours in 15-minute increments. The maximum time limit that can be set for individual apps, websites, and categories depends on whether an overall internet time limit is set. For example, if you set the overall internet time limit at four hours, the time limit for an individual app, website, or category cannot exceed four hours. The time limit for an individual app also can’t exceed the time limit for its category.
The overall time limit takes priority over time limits set for individual apps and categories. For example, if the overall limit and the Netflix limit are both set at four hours, Netflix will be blocked if the child’s total internet usage reaches four hours before the child has spent four hours on Netflix.
Can I prevent my child from accessing the internet at certain times?
Boost Family Guard's Parental Controls include several features for controlling internet access on a child's device:
You can block internet access during the hours set as the child's Bedtime (for example, from 9:00 PM until 7:00 AM). (On children’s Android devices, all device use (except phone calls) is also blocked during Bedtime.)
You can block internet access during scheduled Off Time periods during the day, such as homework, music lesson, or family dinner time. On children’s Android devices, all device use (except phone calls) is also blocked during Off Time.
You can turn the internet off whenever you want to quickly block internet access. For example, a parent may decide to turn the internet off for a child until they clean their room or do their homework.
Note: Blocking internet access does not prevent your child from using apps that have been downloaded to their device and are being run offline (non-internet-based apps).
Can I prevent my child from using their device(s) at certain times?
Yes. If your child has an Android device, they are blocked from using their device during Bedtime and Off Time. A Boost Family Guard blocking screen displays on the child’s device explaining that the device is locked. While their device is locked, your child can still answer and make phone calls. The blocking screen includes a dial button, which your child can tap to open a call dialer.
If needed, you or another Adult on the Boost Family Guard account can unlock your child’s device during the current Bedtime or Off Time period. Your child will then be able to use the device and access apps that do not require an internet connection. However, internet restrictions will still be in effect on their device until the current Bedtime or Off Time ends.
Note: The Accessibility permission must be enabled on your child’s device to support blocking device usage during Bedtime and Off Time. Please enable this permission during setup of Boost Family Guard Kids on your child’s device.
How do I unlock my child’s Android device during Bedtime or Off Time?
The 4-digit passcode required to unlock your child’s device is in the Boost Family Guard left menu > Settings > Device Passcode on your (Adult) device. Open the child device you want to unlock, and then tap Unlock on the Boost Family Guard Kids blocking screen. Enter the passcode to unlock the device for the current Bedtime or Off Time period.
Internet restrictions remain in effect on the unlocked device until the Bedtime or Off Time period ends.
Their device will be locked again as usual during the next Bedtime or Off Time period.
Note: The passcode can be used to unlock any of your children’s Android devices. This code is permanent and cannot be changed, so please do not share it with your children.
Can I prevent my child from making online purchases with their device?
You can prevent access to most internet-based apps and websites dedicated to online purchases by setting categories such as App Stores & Downloads, Gambling, and Online Shopping to Blocked in Content Filters. You can also add a specific website to manage and set its filter permission to Blocked.
If both your device and your child's device are running iOS 15.1 or later, Boost Family Guard supports Advanced Parental Controls, including the ability to block in-app purchases through the Apple App Store.
Advanced Parental Controls
What are Advanced Parental Controls?
Advanced Parental Controls let you configure whether your child can do the following actions on their iOS device:
Make in-app purchases
Install new apps
View explicit content
Change the date and time
Change the device passcode
Advanced Parental Controls also prevent the child from uninstalling the Boost Family Guard Kids app on their device.
Note: Both the child’s device and the device of the adult setting up Advanced Parental Controls must run at least iOS 15.1 to enable this feature.
How do I set Advanced Parental Controls for my child’s iOS device?
To enable Advanced Parental Controls, a family member with an Admin profile must set up Apple Family Sharing and permit Boost Family Guard Kids to manage restrictions on the child’s device.
Note: You’ll need access to both your own (Admin) device and the child’s device to set up Advanced Parental Controls.
Follow these instructions on how to enable Advanced Parental Controls:
a. Create an Apple Family child account from the adult device to connect your child to the Apple Family Sharing account. (Skip this step if your child already has an Apple account.)
Note: The child device must be signed into the child’s Apple account to enable this feature.
b. Accept the permission on the child’s device allowing Boost Family Guard Kids to manage restrictions. This permission sets Boost Family Guard Kids as the parental control app on the child’s device, which permits Boost Family Guard Kids to manage restrictions on the device.
Note: If another app is already set as the parental control app on the child device, the permission for that app must be removed before Boost Family Guard Kids can be added as the parental control app.
c. Enter the parent Apple ID and password on the child device to give parental consent for Boost Family Guard Kids to manage restrictions. Family members with Admin profiles receive a push notification informing them when the child device steps are complete. Tap the notification to open the child’s Advanced Parental Controls settings, where you can configure which actions the child is allowed to take on their device.
Note: Advanced Parental Controls authorization can be revoked at any time from the Device Details screen for the desired device.
Why do I need an Apple ID to use Advanced Parental Controls?
Boost Family Guard integrates with Apple Family Sharing to provide you with Advanced Parental Controls. This integration means you need to have an Apple ID and Apple Family Sharing account in order for Boost Family Guard to support and implement the Advanced Parental Controls features.
Content Filters
How can I block a website or app?
With Content Filters, you can block your child’s access to internet-based apps and websites on their devices.
App & website categories group potentially thousands of similar apps and websites. To block an entire category, tap the arrow to the right of the category name and select Block from the filtering options (Block/Allow/Ignore) that display. This setting blocks internet access to all apps and websites that fall within the category.
Some categories include a list of apps to which you can apply separate filter permissions. To block an individual app, expand the relevant category, find the desired app under Manage individually, and then change its filter permission to Blocked.
Under Manage content, you can also add specific websites to manage and set the filter permission to Blocked. Up to 20 websites can be added to manage.
Note: Content Filters do not block apps that have been downloaded to your child's device and are being run offline (non-internet based apps).
What are the differences between Allow, Block and Ignore apps and websites?
Allow as the name implies, enables the child to access the app or website whenever their internet access is not blocked. The only time an Allowed app or website cannot be accessed by the child is if you set internet Off Time limits, Bedtime limits, or block internet access immediately. Allowed apps and websites are reported under Usage in the child's profile details. An example may be a favorite game or social media site that you allow but only during certain times that you set.
Block will permanently block the child from accessing those internet-based apps and websites whether the child has access to the internet on their device or not. An example might be a game or website that is not age appropriate for the child. However, any app, video, or other media on your child's device that does not require internet access will not be blocked. For example, if you block a gaming app but your child has already downloaded a version of the app they can play offline, that game will not be blocked. Likewise, if you block a streaming app like Netflix but your child has already downloaded a video, that video will not be blocked.
Ignore is similar to Allow in that a child has access to those apps and websites. The difference is Ignore apps and websites are not blocked when you set internet Time Off limits, Bedtime limits, or block internet access immediately. When those internet access blocks are in place, apps or websites set as Ignore can continue to be accessed by the child. Additionally, those apps and websites are not reported under Usage. An example of an Ignore website is a school site that the child needs to access at any time.
Can I allow my child to visit a website that is currently blocked?
Yes, to allow access to a blocked website, you can simply toggle its filter permission from Block to Allow or Ignore.
Can I block an app that's not included in the Apps & Websites list or Categories?
Yes. You can block an app that appears in the child’s internet Usage by tapping the usage entry and selecting Set as Blocked.
You can also manually add websites that you don’t want your child to view. In the Manage content section, tap Websites and then enter the desired website address. The website will be automatically set as Blocked. Boost Family Guard will block internet access to the website and all sub-domains of the website (including the app) on your child’s device.
Can my child still make phone calls and send text messages during Bedtime and Off Time?
Yes. Your child will still be able to make/receive phone calls and send/receive text messages from the Boost Mobile or Boost Infinite service. This would include native Android text messages and iPhone iMessages. However, you can block third-party apps that use the internet for calling and texting. Please see question 6 for more details.
Can Boost Family Guard block third-party apps that can be used for calling and texting?
Yes, to prevent the use of third-party internet-based apps and websites that let your child call or
message people, you can use Boost Family Guard's Content Filters feature to:
Set the Chat & Forums category to Blocked to prevent access to internet-based apps and websites dedicated to multimedia messaging services and online chat forums.
Block specific apps within the Chat & Forums category (such as WhatsApp and FaceTime) by setting them to Blocked.
Add the website used by the calling or texting service you want to block, and then set its filter permission to Blocked.
Note: Content Filters cannot be used to block SMS messaging.
Will I be notified if my child tries to access blocked content or websites?
No, you won't be immediately notified if your child attempts to access blocked content or websites on their phone. However, you can view a historical timeline of the blocked content or websites your child attempted to access in the Filtered tab of their Usage History.
How do I remove content filters for a child's device?
To remove all content filters on your child's device, toggle off the Filter content option at the top of the Content Filters screen. When the Content Filters feature is disabled, you can still track the child’s internet usage and limit their online time with other Parental Controls.
I have content filters set through my home Wi-Fi router. What happens when Boost Family Guard content filters conflict with my router's content filters?
Boost Family Guard and your home Wi-Fi router work in tandem to manage access to internet-based apps and websites. The VPN on your child’s device first filters content based on Boost Family Guard parental control settings. If the app or website is allowed, content is then filtered based on the router’s settings. For example:
If you block TikTok via Boost Family Guard, your child’s device will not be able to access TikTok regardless of the home Wi-Fi router settings.
If you allow TikTok via Boost Family Guard but block the app via the home Wi-Fi router, your child’s device will not be able to access TikTok when connected to the home router.
If you allow TikTok via Boost Family Guard and your home Wi-Fi router, your child’s device will be able to access TikTok whether it’s connected or not to the home router.
Why are some apps or websites not working properly when I block a different one?
Some apps or websites may share resources with another one, which could cause your blocking of one to impact the other. For example, if Facebook® is blocked, you won’t be able to sign in to Spotify® using the “Sign in through Facebook” option.
In addition, all sub-domains of a blocked website are also blocked. For example, if you add Google.com as a managed website and set it to Blocked, Boost Family Guard will block the child’s access to all sub-domains of Google.com, as well as the Google app.
App evasion prevention and alerts
What happens if my child attempts to remove the Boost Family Guard Kids app?
During the setup process on a child's device when joining the Boost Family Guard account, a screen displays asking if you want to restrict the Boost Family Guard Kids app from being deleted. You should enable this restriction to ensure your child remains connected to Boost Family Guard.
If your child later attempts to remove the Boost Family Guard Kids app, their experience differs based on the type of device they have:
Apple
iOS 14.x or earlier: The child is asked to enter a specific passcode to delete the app.
Note: This passcode is created by a parent during the setup process for the child’s device.
iOS 15.1 or later: The child is asked to enter the parental Apple ID and password to delete the app.
If your child manages to uninstall the app, you will see tamper alerts in the app on your (adult) device indicating that there is an issue with the child’s permissions. You can then check the child’s device.
Android
The child sees a pop-up message saying they are not allowed to delete the Boost Family Guard Kids app.
Note: This feature requires both the device administrator and Accessibility permissions to be accepted during the child device setup process.
If the device admin permission was accepted during setup but the Accessibility permission was not, your child will be able to delete the app. You will then receive a notification informing you of a potential app evasion. Tamper alerts will also display in the app indicating an issue with your child’s device permissions.
What is the Accessibility permission, and what happens if my child attempts to disable it on their Android device?
The Accessibility permission is required to support certain Boost Family Guard features on children’s Android devices. Enabling this permission (along with the device administrator permission) when setting up the child device on the account prevents your child from deleting the Boost Family Guard Kids app. The Accessibility permission also enables Boost Family Guard to lock the child’s device during Bedtime and Off Time and prevent the child from removing the VPN.
If your child attempts to evade Boost Family Guard by disabling the Accessibility permission, they are blocked by a screen informing them that this action is not allowed.
What is a VPN and why does my child need to install one for Boost Family Guard Kids?
A virtual private network (VPN) creates a secure connection between a mobile device and the internet. On Boost Family Guard Kids, a VPN connection is used to monitor and restrict internet-related activity on your child’s device. When setting up your child’s device, follow the steps in the Boost Family Guard Kids app to install the VPN to ensure the Parental Controls you create for their profile can be implemented on their device.
What happens if my child attempts to remove the Boost Family Guard Kids VPN?
On Android devices, your child gets a blocking screen if they attempt to access Boost Family Guard Kids VPN configurations or remove the VPN in the device settings.
Note: The Accessibility permission must be enabled on your child’s Android device to prevent them from removing the VPN.
On iOS devices, your child is not blocked from removing the VPN. However, Boost Family Guard notifies you of a VPN issue via push notification and in-app alerts. You can then check your child’s device and reinstall the VPN.
Will I be notified if the VPN on my child's device isn't working?
Yes. Boost Family Guard alerts you if the VPN on your child's device is disabled or uninstalled:
An exclamation mark icon appears on the child's profile avatar (Family Hub and Family Map), and on the device with the VPN issue (Individual Map).
A Parental Controls Disabled banner appears in the child's profile details.
A Check VPN Device status indicator appears in the device details for the child's device.
A device is no longer communicating push notification appears on the parent's device.
Note: If the VPN is disabled rather than uninstalled, Boost Family Guard Kids automatically re-enables the VPN up to 15 minutes later.
Will I be notified if something is wrong with the location settings on my child's device?
Yes. Boost Family Guard alerts you if one or more location settings are disabled on your child's device:
A no-location icon appears on the child's profile avatar (Family Hub and Family Map), and on the device with the disabled location setting (Individual Map).
A Location Settings Disabled banner appears in the child's profile details.
Note: Tapping the Fix button in the banner displays a screen showing which location settings are disabled. From that screen, you can tap Send Instructions to notify your child to enable the location settings.
Will I be notified if my child's device has a low battery?
Yes. Boost Family Guard alerts you if the battery in your child's device has a 15% or less battery charge:
A battery icon appears on the child's profile avatar (Family Hub and Family Map), and on the device with the low battery (Individual Map).
A Low Battery banner appears in the child's profile details.
Note: Tapping the Call button in the banner initiates a call to the child so you can let them know about the low battery.
The Low Battery banner also notifies you if Power Saving (also called Battery Saver) is enabled on a child’s Android device, which can affect their location accuracy. Tap the Learn More button in the banner to view the child’s location settings and send instructions for the child to turn off the power saving mode.
Cancellation
How do I cancel my Boost Family Guard account?
Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite customers can only cancel their Boost Family Guard subscription through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Important! Uninstalling the app does not cancel your subscription.
To cancel your subscription
1. Tap the menu icon in the upper-left corner of the Family Hub to display the Left Menu, and then tap Settings.
2. Tap Subscription.
3. Tap Cancel Boost Family Guard.
4. Tap Open Play Store or Open App Store and follow the instructions below for the appropriate store.
Cancel subscription via Google Play Store
1. From Play Store, tap the profile icon at the top right.
2. Tap Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.
3. Select the subscription you want to cancel.
4. Tap Cancel subscription.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Cancel subscription via App Store
1. From the App Store, tap the profile icon at the top right.
2. Tap Subscriptions.
3. Select the subscription you want to cancel.
4. Tap Cancel subscription.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Alternate method for iOS devices
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your name.
3. Tap Subscriptions.
4. Select the subscription you want to cancel.
5. Tap Cancel subscription.
6. You might need to scroll down to find the Cancel subscription button. If there is no Cancel button or you see an expiration message in red text, the subscription is already canceled.
Need More Help?