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Updated – Originally published March 8, 2022
Parenting can feel like a constant scramble. Between school pickups, soccer practice, making dinner, and a million other to-dos, keeping track of your kids is both the most important part — and the most challenging.
Have you ever found yourself wondering something along the lines of, “Was Teddy supposed to ride the bus home with his friend Sam today… or tomorrow?”
Gabb devices lighten the load by offering simple, safe tech that keeps you connected to your kids — without internet, social media, or addictive games.
Because we get it: you want peace of mind without the stress of constant screen-time battles. Our devices — Gabb Watch and Gabb Phone and Gabb Phone Pro — are built for real families. So what can you do on a Gabb phone? Plenty. Let’s get into it.
1. Active GPS and Tracking
Gabb Watch, Gabb Phone, and Gabb Phone Pro come equipped with Active GPS tracking that lets you see where your kids are at any time through the MyGabb app.
Once connected, you’ll be able to check your kid’s GPS location any time you open the app. Whether they’re at a friend’s house, walking home from school, or out riding their bike, you can quickly check in and know where they are — no guesswork needed.
2. Custom Safe Zones
With the MyGabb app, you can create “Safe Zones” — custom geo-fenced areas that let you know if your child strays too far from school, or wanders out of the neighborhood.
Setting up a Safe Zone is easy:
- Open the MyGabb app and tap the menu button in the top right.
- Select “Safe Zone” and enter a trusted address.
- Choose how far your child can travel before triggering an alert.
Once set, you’ll get a notification anytime they go beyond the area you’ve set — giving you peace of mind, and them some freedom. And don’t worry, kids can’t adjust Safe Zones. Only parents can through the MyGabb app.
3. Custom Contacts for Kids
With the MyGabb app, you control exactly who your child can call and text. The Gabb Watch allows kids to communicate only with contacts you approve, ensuring they stay connected to family and trusted friends — without the risk of unknown numbers or spam.
Adding contacts is simple:
- Open the MyGabb app and tap the menu button.
- Select “Contacts” and add approved people.
- Assign them as guardians or regular contacts to manage their role.
Once added, the contact appears in your child’s list, and they can call or text them right away. Plus, Gabb Guard automatically filters out unknown callers and spam, making Gabb the safest kids’ device on the market.
4. Find a Misplaced or Lost Gabb Device
Kids lose things — it’s inevitable. Luckily, with the MyGabb app, you can easily track down a misplaced Gabb Watch or Phone by playing a sound on the device, even if it’s set to silent.
So if you suspect their watch is buried under some laundry or their phone is lost in the backyard, just:
- Open the MyGabb app.
- Select the missing device.
- Tap “Play Sound” to trigger an alert.
Within seconds, you’ll hear the sound and know where to look. No more frantic searches or turning the house upside down.
5. SOS Button & Emergency Contact (Gabb Watch Only)
For added safety, the Gabb Watch features an SOS button that kids can use to quickly reach their assigned emergency contact. If they ever feel unsafe, they just need to press and hold the SOS button for 4 seconds to trigger an alert.
Here’s how to set up:
- Log in to the MyGabb app on your smartphone.
- Tap the Devices tab.
- Tap Profile next to your child’s watch.
- Tap SOS Contact.
- Choose the contact you want this watch to send SOS calls and messages* to, then tap Change.
This feature gives kids confidence when they’re away from home, knowing they can always reach help when they need it.
*The SOS button will call the child’s SOS contact, not emergency services.
6. GabbGo Virtual Pet (Gabb Watch Only)
Gabb Watch kids will get Gabb Go, an interactive productivity game, pre-installed on their new device. GabbGo mixes a chore app with Tamagotchi-style pets, so every time your kid completes a chore or challenge from a custom task list (set by parents within the MyGabb app), they’ll receive coins to upgrade their pets and teach them new tricks.
Now that you’ve mastered your Gabb device, what else should we add to the devices? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) Summary
Active GPS and Tracking:
Know where your kids are anytime, from anywhere, using the MyGabb app.
Custom Safe Zones:
Create geo-fenced areas where your kid can venture and you can get notified anytime they wander too far.
Custom Contacts:
Choose who can contact your kid, and who they can contact as well.
Play Sound for lost Gabb device:
Track your child’s Gabb device with Active GPS and find it by playing a unique sound.
SOS/Emergency Contact (Gabb Watch only):
An easy-access emergency alert button for kids to feel safe, built into every Gabb Watch.
GabbGo (Gabb Watch only):
A productivity game app that rewards kids for completing chores and tasks set by their parents, using the MyGabb app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I track my child’s device if it’s off, in airplane mode, or the battery is dead?
No. GPS tracking needs power and a network connection to update. If the device is turned off, in airplane mode, or the battery dies, tracking won’t work until it’s back online. However, the MyGabb app will show the last known location before it lost connection, and you’ll get a low-battery alert before it powers down.
Can Safe Zones still send alerts if the phone is in airplane mode?
No. Safe Zones rely on GPS tracking and alerts need a connection. If the device is in airplane mode or turned off, tracking won’t update until it’s back online.
How often does GPS update location?
GPS updates every 15 minutes when moving. You can also update it manually anytime by tapping “Locate” in the MyGabb app.
Can my child mute Safe Zone alerts?
No, Safe Zone alerts go straight to your phone, so your child can’t disable them.
Can kids change Safe Zones or contacts without permission?
Nope! Only parents can add or edit Safe Zones and contacts in the MyGabb app.
Author Robert Milligan
Rob is a Gabb staff writer with a passion for stories and over a decade of experience. As a father of three, he loves anything that lights up his kids' worlds and sparks their imaginations. Rob is dedicated to helping families navigate the digital world safely while fostering creativity and meaningful connections.
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