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Gabb Messenger for Kids

What is Gabb Messenger for kids?

This article covers how to use the Gabb Messenger app for kids. If you want to learn about how to use Gabb Messenger on a parent’s smartphone, check out this article.

Gabb Messenger is the default texting app on all Gabb phones, allowing your child to connect with friends & family in a safe environment. Your child can send text messages, group texts, emojis, voice messages, pictures, & videos using Gabb Messenger. Kids can also make video calls to their contacts. Gabb Messenger comes pre-installed on all Gabb Phones.

Setting up Gabb Messenger

Add a contact
  1. Open the Gabb Messenger app on the Gabb phone. 
  2. Select Contacts at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select the person icon in the upper-right corner. 
  4. Fill out the contact’s information, then select Save.

Select the Favorites icon at the bottom of the screen to add this contact to your Favorites list.

Send a text message
  1. Open the Messenger app on the Gabb phone.
  2. Select Messages at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select the pencil icon in the upper-right corner. 
  4. Select a contact to send a text message to.
  5. Write a message, then select the arrow icon to send the message.

You can share videos up to 30 seconds long & up to five images per text.

Send a voice message
  1. Open the Messenger app on the Gabb phone.
  2. Select Messages at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select the contact you want to send a voice message to.
  4. Tap the plus sign to the left of the Write a message box, then select the microphone icon.
  5. Record your voice message, then select the arrow icon to send the voice message.

Voice messages can be up to 15 minutes long.

Copy & paste a message
Copy a message
  1. Open the Messenger app on the Gabb phone.
  2. Find the message you want to copy, then press and hold on it.
  3. Tap Select Message.
  4. Select the check box ✔️ next to the message you want to copy.
  5. Select the Copy icon in the upper-right corner (third icon from the right).
Paste a message

Open the message you want to paste the text in, press and hold in the Write a Message box, then select Paste.

Join channels

Channels allow your child to stay up to date with all things Gabb, from news to weekly wallpapers. Here’s how to join a channel:

  1. Open the Messenger app on the Gabb phone.
  2. Select Channels at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Browse our channels. When your child finds a channel they want to join, select View, then Join Channel.
Mute conversation
  1. Open the Messenger app on the Gabb phone.
  2. Press & hold on the conversation you want to mute, then select Mute notifications.
  3. To unmute a conversation, press & hold on the conversation, then select Unmute notifications.
Requests tab

If your child receives a text from an unknown number it will appear in the Requests tab with a red dot indicating they have a message request. Here’s how to manage your message requests:

  1. Open the Messenger app on the Gabb Phone, then select the Requests tab.
  2. Select Add and fill out the contact details to add the number to your Contacts List.
  3. Select Block to block the number & remove the message.

Managing contacts

Add & manage contacts from the Gabb Messenger app on your Gabb phone. Your child can add, remove, or block contacts right from their phone.

Edit a contact
  1. Open Gabb Messenger from the Gabb phone.
  2. Select Contacts at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select the contact you want to edit.
  4. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, then select Edit contact.
  5. Make changes to the contact, then select Save.
Remove a contact
  1. Open Gabb Messenger from the Gabb phone.
  2. Select Contacts at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select the contact you want to remove.
  4. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, then select Remove contact.
Block a contact
  1. Open Gabb Messenger from the Gabb phone.
  2. Select Contacts at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select the contact you want to block.
  4. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, then select Block contact.

Video calling

Gabb Messenger allows your child to make safe video calls to other Gabb Messenger users.

Video calls can only be made to contacts who have Gabb Messenger installed on their Gabb phone & have video calling enabled. If the contact does not have Gabb Messenger installed on their device your child will not be able to make video calls to that person.

Make a video call
  1. Open Gabb Messenger from your Gabb phone.
  2. Select Contacts at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select the camera icon next to the contact you want to make a video call to. 
  4. Select Start call.
  5. Select the red phone icon to end the video call.

Gabb ensures safe video calling by detecting nudity on video calls. If we detect nudity during the video call, we’ll end the call, video calling will be locked, and you’ll get a notification from the Gabb Messenger app on your smartphone.

Gabb Messenger Troubleshooting

Can’t send or receive messages to/from another child
  1. Make sure that both your child and the recipient have Gabb Messenger installed on a Gabb phone.
  2. Make sure that a parent has enabled video calling for each child. This must be done from the Gabb Messenger app on a parent’s smartphone.
  3. Add the contact as an approved contact (if applicable).
  4. Make sure both kids are logged in to their Gabb ID & connected to WiFi.
Can’t send or receive messages to/from a parent
  1. Make sure that your child has Gabb Messenger installed on their Gabb phone.
  2. Download the Gabb Messenger Parent app on your smartphone. 
  3. Make sure your child is logged into their Gabb ID app & their phone is connected to WiFi.
  4. Use the Gabb Messenger Parent app to make a video call to your child:
    • Open the Gabb Messenger Parent app on your smartphone.
    • Select the video camera icon at the top of the screen.
    • Select the video camera icon next to the child you want to call.
Child can text unapproved contacts

If your child can text people who aren’t in their contacts, you might not have parent-managed contacts turned on. Here’s how to update that setting:

  1. Enter the contact’s details, then tap Approve Contact.
  2. Log in to the Gabb Messenger app on your smartphone.
  3. Tap on your child’s profile icon, then tap Controls.
  4. Tap Contact Management
  5. Make sure the Parent-managed slider is active.
  6. Tap Approved Contact List, then tap Approve a new contact
Can’t make video calls
To/from another child:
  1. Make sure that both your child and the recipient have Gabb Messenger installed on a Gabb phone.
  2. Make sure that a parent has enabled video calling for each child. This must be done from the Gabb Messenger Parent app.
  3. Add the contact as an approved contact (if applicable).
  4. Make sure both kids are logged in to their Gabb ID & connected to WiFi.

Video calls can only be made to contacts who have Gabb Messenger installed on their Gabb phone & have video calling enabled. If the contact does not have Gabb Messenger installed on their device your child will not be able to make video calls to that person. Children can make video calls to parents who have the Gabb Messenger Parent app installed on their smartphone.

To/from a parent:
  1. Make sure that your child has Gabb Messenger installed on their Gabb phone.
  2. Download the Gabb Messenger Parent app on your smartphone. 
  3. Make sure your child is logged into their Gabb ID app & their phone is connected to WiFi.
  4. Use the Gabb Messenger Parent app to make a video call to your child:
    • Open the Gabb Messenger Parent app on your smartphone.
    • Select the video camera icon at the top of the screen.
    • Select the video camera icon next to the child you want to call.
Deleting settings not being followed

You can set up one of three different deleting settings: 

  • 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. 

Here’s how to change your child’s deleting settings:

  1. Log in to the Gabb Messenger app on your smartphone.
  2. Tap on your child’s profile icon, then tap Controls.
  3. Tap Deleting Settings
  4. Select the radio button next to the deleting setting you want. It will update automatically.

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