Kid's Shell - a children's shell to run only authorized applications on your Android phone or tablet.

In addition to the development of sites, in our free time we are developing children's mobile applications. In particular, educational mobile applications for our children. For all of Habra Dad and Habra Mom, we have prepared a little peace of mind on the eve of the New Year holidays.







This post is dedicated to all owners of mobile devices based on the Android operating system, namely:

• parents who have small children under 7 years old
• everyone who has nephews and nieces
• to all those who periodically give their Android - device to a child in order to occupy it at least for a while.

Very often, after the device is in the hands of a child, it does not return at its best. The child will launch any third-party application, climb into the settings, send SMS and be sure to call someone else). Installing the application through Google Play or making a purchase inside the application is generally a nice thing.

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In order for the phone to be safely given to the child, we developed Kid's Shell - a child shell for running only authorized applications on the phone or tablet.



The shell is placed as a normal application and runs on top of the installed shell on the phone and controls all unwanted actions and launches.



We tried to block everything that is possible:

• application launch
• incoming calls
• go to settings
• launching applications when switching from the list of recently launched applications (with a long press of the Home button)
• hardware keys (even the call buttons - yes, yes, the very first Android phones were like that)

After installing the application and familiarizing yourself with the step-by-step instructions on how the application works and how it is configured, the Kid's Shell desktop appears. On the desktop, you bring applications that are allowed to run. Before giving the phone to a child, set up the application in “Parent mode”. Parental mode and exit from the application are password protected as an example.







So that when you click the Home button, the child cannot exit the application, you need to tick the “Remember my default choice” checkbox and select Kid's Shell from the list. Now when you press the Home button, the child will return to the Kid's Shell. After the applications are displayed on the desktop, you can return to the “Children's mode” and calmly give the phone to the child.







In case the child or the application tries to perform an unacceptable action, the lock screen appears.



The application is absolutely free and optimized for tablets and phones.



Download the app in Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whisperarts.kidsshell







Ps. In the comments of Google Play and in the reviews on the mail, users are often asked to add to the program the ability to select the type of lock: a mathematical example or password. The main argument - children in primary school already know the multiplication table.



Technically, there is nothing difficult. Take and add the choice of the type of password: pin code or solution of the example. But the problem will arise if the user forgets his password. How to restore it? After all, if the user forgets the password, he will not be able to exit the shell, even by rebooting the device.



I want to make the most simple solution. This is how the application itself turned out: easy and simple. I do not want to force the user to register, enter his e-mail or phone number somewhere.



We are waiting for comments and suggestions for the implementation of a simple password recovery.



Pss. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! Ahead of the long holidays and weekends. Try not to occupy the child’s phone or tablet, but rather have fun together on the street.