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How to Set Up Your New Gabb Phone 4 or 4 Pro

Learn how to set up your Gabb Phone 4 or 4 Pro. Follow step-by-step instructions to activate your plan, transfer your number, pair with the MyGabb app, add approved contacts, manage settings, and download apps safely.

Step 1: Pick your plan & activate service

New line

Pick your plan 📝

There are two different ways to pick your plan, depending on where you purchased your Gabb Phone.

👉 If you purchased your Gabb Phone from gabb.com, you picked your plan at checkout.

👉 If you purchased your Gabb Phone from a marketplace, you’ll pick your plan when you go to our activation portal.

Activate your service 📲

No matter where you purchased your phone, head to our activation portal to activate your Gabb phone.

Upgrade/replacement line

Pick your plan 📝

When you upgrade or replace your Gabb device, there are a couple of options:

👉 Upgrading your Gabb Phone? You’ll pick a new plan during checkout at gabb.com.

👉 Replacing a Gabb Phone? You can keep your existing plan or pick a new one during checkout at gabb.com.

Amazon/marketplace orders: If you bought your upgrade/replacement phone from an online marketplace like Amazon, you’ll pick your new plan when you visit our activation portal.

Transfer your phone number & service to your new Gabb Phone 📲

When you activate your new Gabb Phone 4 or Gabb Phone 4 Pro, you can transfer your existing Gabb phone number to the new phone. This process is done entirely online. Do not remove the SIM card from either Gabb device.

Before you transfer your phone number, make sure you have the IMEI number for the new watch. You can find the IMEI number on the back of the box for your new phone. Make sure both the old and new Gabb devices are connected to WiFi and have at least three bars of cell service.

To transfer your phone number and service to your new Gabb Phone 4 or 4 Pro, go to our activation portal and follow the steps to transfer your phone number and service.

➡️ It may take up to four hours for the transfer to complete.

Step 2: Pair your Gabb Phone to the MyGabb app & Gabb Messenger for parents

Pairing a Gabb Phone 4 Pro to the MyGabb app is no longer necessary. The phone will automatically be set up in the app.

1. Pair your Gabb Phone to the MyGabb app (Gabb Phone 4 only)

Download the MyGabb app ⬇️

Download the MyGabb app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Sign in to MyGabb ✏️

After you download the MyGabb app, sign in to the app. Use the same username and password you use when you log in to your Gabb account (not your child's login).

Pair your Gabb Phone to the MyGabb app ➡️

After you’re logged in to the MyGabb app, make sure that your (parent’s) smartphone has Bluetooth enabled and your Gabb Phone is nearby. Then, open the MyGabb app and tap Set up now on the pop-up for your Gabb Phone. The app will walk you through the setup process.

2. Download Gabb Messenger

Download and log in to Gabb Messenger 🎥

Your child can make and receive safe video calls from family and friends who have Gabb Messenger installed on their phone.

Download Gabb Messenger on your (parent's) smartphone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

‼️ Your child must send a one-time link to their friend or family member with an invite to download Gabb Messenger on their device. They can only send a link to someone who is already a contact.

Log in to Gabb Messenger on your (parent's) smartphone using the same username and password you use to log in to your Gabb account (not your child's login).

See Gabb Messenger Safe Video Calling for tutorials, information, and FAQs about this feature.

Step 3: Set up parental controls on your Gabb Phone

Set up a Safe Zone 🏠

Safe Zones allow you to be notified when your child arrives at or leaves a specified location. You can set up a Safe Zone in a few easy steps:

  1. Log in to the MyGabb app on your (parent's) smartphone.

  2. Tap Safe Zones.

  3. Tap the plus sign ➕ in the bottom-right corner of the map.

  4. Enter your Safe Zone details, then tap Save.

Safe Zones update every 15 minutes. If you want to see a real-time location, tap the refresh button 🔄 on the map in the MyGabb app.

Add approved contacts 👥

You can set up an approved contacts list in the MyGabb app. This can help you to restrict your child from contacting phone numbers that aren’t on the approved contacts list. You can also select the setting to let your child manage their own contact list.

If your child has a Gabb Phone or Gabb Phone Plus, the approved contacts list only applies to texting, not phone calls. Contact management via the MyGabb app applies to texts and calls on the Gabb Phone 3 Pro, Gabb Phone 4, and Gabb Phone 4 Pro.

Follow these steps to set up an approved contacts list in the MyGabb app:

  1. Enable push notifications so you get notified about flagged and blocked texts.

  2. Build your child’s approved contacts list:

    1. Tap your child’s profile icon 👤, then tap Contacts.

    2. Select Parent-managed or Child-managed from the Contact Management drop-down.

    3. Tap the blue plus sign ➕ in the bottom-right corner.

    4. Choose how you want to add the contact:

      1. Create New Contact: Enter contact details manually, then tap Create Contact.

      2. From Child's List: Approve your child's contacts by selecting the contact(s) you want to improve, then tap Approve Selected.

👉 Setting up an approved contacts list is optional.

Having trouble getting added contacts to sync?
​
1. Make sure your child is logged into the Gabb ID app on their device.

2. Select Settings > Troubleshooting > Sync Settings from the Gabb Messenger app on your Gabb Phone.

Flagged Messages 🚩

Gabb uses proprietary smart filtering to block and flag explicit images and all links, and flag messages that contain harmful words and emojis. Gabb Messenger Safe Video Calling blocks video calls with nudity, ends the call, and notifies the primary parent.
​

If we flag or block a message or image, we’ll send you an email notification and send you a notification from the MyGabb app. The email notification is sent once per day and is not sent at the time the message is sent or received. The content of the flagged message(s) can be viewed in the app and in your Gabb MyAccount.

You can disable push notifications in the MyGabb app, but we’ll still send a notification in the app. Email notifications can’t be disabled.

Here's how it works:

🚩 Flagged: A flagged message means that potentially harmful content has been detected in the message. We’ll send you an email within 24 hours and send you a notification from the MyGabb app. Flagged text or image messages are still delivered to your child’s Gabb Phone. The content of the flagged message(s) can be viewed in the app and in your Gabb MyAccount.

⛔Blocked: A blocked message means that the message contains harmful content, and we block it from reaching the child on their device. We’ll send you an email the same day notifying you of the blocked message, as well as a notification from the MyGabb app. The content of the flagged message(s) can be viewed in the app and in your Gabb MyAccount.

‼️ Flagged content is still visible to the child on their device unless it is also blocked.

Message type

Flagged

Blocked

Potentially harmful outgoing messages

✅

Texts received from contacts with potentially harmful language

✅

Profanity or potentially harmful language from a known contact

✅

Links received from unknown contacts

Note: Links are not clickable

✅

Media received from an unknown number

✅

Negative or offensive emojis

✅

Profanity or potentially harmful language from an unknown contact

👉 If the message contains profanity but the message is not harmful otherwise, we’ll redact the profanity in the message and still deliver the message to your child. If the entire message is harmful, we’ll block the whole thing. You’ll be notified either way.

✅

✅

Incoming images with explicit content

✅

✅

Outgoing image with explicit content

✅

‼️ Although the filtration blocks and flags inappropriate or harmful content with a high level of accuracy, it is ever-improving. We encourage families to have regular conversations about digital safety.

Manage text message deleting settings 🗑️

Deleting settings allow you to control when your child can delete text messages off of their Gabb Phone. There are three text message deleting settings that you can choose from in the MyGabb app:

Instantly

Messages can be permanently deleted from Trash

After 30 days

Messages are permanently deleted from Trash after 30 days

Never

Deleted messages always remain in the Trash

Follow these steps to set your text message deletion settings:

  1. Tap your child’s profile icon 👤, tap Controls, then tap Deletion Settings.

  2. Select the deletion option you want. Your selection is automatically saved.

Step 4: Third-party app management

Gabb Phone 4

Gabb allows up to 11 additional apps on the Gabb Phone 4:

  • Gabb Maps

  • 24 Game

  • Bible App by Olive Tree

  • Chabad.org Daily Torah Study

  • Chess

  • Gospel Library

  • Mini Golf

  • Quran

  • Sillyble

  • Solitaire

  • Sora by OverDrive Education

Additional third-party apps are not available on the Gabb Phone 4.

Here’s how to add one of these apps to your child’s Gabb Phone 4:

  1. Log in to the MyGabb app on your (parent's) smartphone.

  2. Tap Manage.

  3. Tap on your child's Gabb Phone 4.

  4. Tap Manage Apps.

  5. Browse or search for the app you want to download, then tap Add > Add App.

  6. Open the Gabb ID app on the Gabb Phone 4 while connected to WiFi, then tap Check for Updates. The app will be added to the Gabb Phone. ✅

Gabb Phone 4 Pro

We have hundreds of apps available to download on the Gabb Phone 4 Pro. Gabb thoroughly reviews every app that comes into our Gabb App Store.

👉 You must be on the Advanced plan to download apps. Find out how to upgrade your plan.

With a Gabb Phone 4 Pro on the Advanced Plan, parents have full control over which apps your child can access; however, we understand that third-party apps may come with risks. Please review the Gabb App Guide and make the best decision for your family.

Here’s how to add an app to your Gabb Phone 4 Pro:

  1. Verify that your Gabb Phone is connected to WiFi. 🛜

  2. Log in to your Gabb account and make sure that your Gabb Phone 4 Pro is on the Advanced plan.

  3. Tap the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner, then tap Gabb App Store.

  4. Browse or search for the app you want to download, then select the checkbox next to the app. The app will load into the Google Play Store on your Gabb Phone 4 Pro within 24 hours.

  5. After the app is loaded into the Google Play Store, your child must download the app on their phone from the Google Play Store.

👉 Gabb App Management FAQs

Phone setup troubleshooting

If your issue isn’t listed below, please refer to our Gabb Phone 4 Pro or Gabb Phone 4 troubleshooting articles.

Can't link Gabb Phone to MyGabb app

Can't link your Gabb Phone to the MyGabb app? Log in to your Gabb account and verify that your Gabb Phone is active. If the phone is not active, go to our activation portal. We’ll walk you through the steps to activate your Gabb Phone.

Can't log in to the MyGabb app

If you're having issues logging in to the MyGabb app, make sure you're logging in using the account credentials you created when you set up your Gabb account (not your child's login).

I don't know my child's Gabb ID

If you don't know your child's Gabb ID, you can look it up in your Gabb account. The Gabb ID will be listed under your child's existing device.

Here’s how to find your child’s Gabb ID:

  1. Log in to your Gabb account.

  2. Tap on your child’s Gabb Phone. Their Gabb ID will be listed at the top of the screen, below the phone number.

"Unauthorized" error message

Follow these steps if you're getting an "unauthorized" error message:

  1. Log out of the MyGabb app.

  2. Log back in to the MyGabb app using the account credentials you created when you set up your Gabb account (not your child's login).

A new line was set up instead of transferring

If you set up a new line when you wanted to transfer your service, we’ll need to help you cancel that line and transfer your service to your new Gabb Phone 4 or 4 Pro.

Can't receive texts or calls

Follow these steps if you can't receive texts or calls on your Gabb Phone 4 Pro:

  1. Log in to your Gabb account and verify that your new Gabb Phone is active.

    • If the Phone is active, continue to the next step.

    • If the Phone is not active, go to our activation portal and follow the steps to activate it, then continue to the next step.

  2. Move to an area with better service, such as outside or near a window.

  3. Turn the Phone off, then back on.

Failed to get activation code

Not getting an activation code on your Gabb Phone screen when trying to pair it with the MyGabb app? Try these steps:

  1. Go to our activation portal and verify that you've purchased a plan for your Gabb Phone 4 Pro.

  2. Press and hold the power button to turn your Gabb Phone off, then press and hold it again to turn it back on.

  3. Connect your Gabb Phone to WiFi. 🛜

Apps not loading on Gabb Phone 4 Pro

If you've enabled a third-party app for your Gabb Phone 4 Pro and the app still isn't on the phone, keep in mind that it may take up to 24 hours for the app to be downloaded to the Gabb Phone.

Try these steps:

  1. Verify that your Gabb Phone is connected to WiFi. 🛜

  2. Log in to your Gabb account and make sure that your Gabb Phone 4 Pro is on the Advanced plan.

  3. Tap the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner, then tap Gabb App Store.

  4. Browse or search for the app you want to download, then tap Add > Add App.

  5. Connect your Gabb Phone to WiFi. 🛜

  6. Update the software on your Gabb Phone, if applicable.

  7. Turn your Gabb Phone off, then turn it back on.

Keep the phone connected to WiFi and make sure it's signed in to your child's Gabb ID.

Phone setup FAQs

Where do I pick my plan?

Where you pick your plan depends on where you bought your Gabb Phone.

Where you bought the Gabb Phone

When you’ll pick your plan

How to get started

gabb.com

At checkout, when you purchase the phone, before you receive the phone in the mail

Go to our activation portal after you get your phone in the mail. Your plan will already be selected.

Buy with Prime on gabb.com

After you get your phone and start to activate the Gabb Phone

Go to our activation portal and pick your plan when prompted

Another retailer (Amazon, Walmart, etc.)

After you get your phone and start to activate the Gabb Phone

Go to our activation portal and pick your plan when prompted

Can I transfer my phone number to my new Gabb Phone?

Yes, you can transfer your existing phone number to your new Gabb Phone. Go to our activation portal and follow the prompts to transfer your phone number.

What do I do when I accidentally create a new line instead of transferring my line?

If you accidentally set up a new line instead of transferring your line, don’t worry! Contact Gabb Support so we can help you transfer your line and cancel the new one you created.

Does the Gabb Phone have approved contacts?

You can set up your child’s Gabb Phone to have approved contacts in your MyGabb app. When you set up an approved contact list, this means that your child can only contact someone that you added to the list.

The Gabb Phone 4 and Gabb Phone 4 Pro also have the option to allow your child to manage their own contact list.

Can I download apps on a Gabb Phone?

The Gabb Phone 4 and Gabb Phone 4 Pro have different permissions when it comes to downloading apps.

Gabb Phone 4

The Gabb Phone 4 has a limited number of approved apps available for download. Parents must approve these apps in the Gabb App Store.

  1. Verify that the Gabb Phone is connected to WiFi. 🛜

  2. Log in to your Gabb account.

  3. Tap the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner, then tap Gabb App Store.

  4. Tap on your Gabb Phone 4.

  5. Browse or search for the app you want to download, then select the checkbox next to the app.

Gabb Phone 4 Pro

The Gabb Phone 4 Pro has an app library with hundreds of apps available for download. Parents must approve these apps in the Gabb App Store before the app can be added to the Gabb Phone 4 Pro. Your Gabb Phone 4 Pro must be on the Advanced service plan to download apps.

Learn more about apps on the Gabb Phone 4 Pro.

  1. Verify that your Gabb Phone is connected to WiFi. 🛜

  2. Log in to your Gabb account and make sure that your Gabb Phone 4 Pro is on the Advanced plan.

  3. Tap the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner, then tap Gabb App Store.

  4. Browse or search for the app you want to download, then select the check box next to the app. The app will load into the Google Play Store on your Gabb Phone 4 Pro within 24 hours.

  5. After the app is loaded into the Google Play Store, your child must download the app on their phone from the Google Play Store.

How do I remove apps from my Gabb Phone?

To remove an app from your child's Gabb Phone 4 or Gabb Phone 4 Pro, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Gabb account.

  2. Tap the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner, then tap Gabb App Store.

  3. Tap Remove next to the app you want to remove from the phone.

Still need help? Please contact Gabb Support!

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