Guides
Getting Started
Parent Dashboard vs. Child App
Parents use the web Dashboard (phone, tablet, or computer) to set limits, lock devices, and view play time. Children use the native GamerGuard app on their device. It enforces session locks, daily limits, and bedtime — using Apple Screen Time on iOS and usage monitoring on Android.
Your First 5 Minutes
1. Create a Family Circle and add a child profile. 2. Go to Devices → Add New Device → assign a child → Generate Code. 3. Open GamerGuard on your child's device and enter the 6-digit code within 30 minutes. 4. Grant permissions (Screen Time on iOS; Usage access + overlay on Android). 5. On iOS, pick games in the Screen Time picker (shield icon). 6. Edit the device to set daily limits and optional bedtime.
Email or Google Signup
Parents can create an account with email and password or Sign up / Sign in with Google. After signup you land on the parent Dashboard. Google and email accounts both create a family circle automatically.
Free Plan vs Guardian Pro
Starter (free) includes 1 child device, basic time limits, and manual app blocking. Guardian Pro unlocks unlimited child devices, advanced schedules, and priority support. See Pricing for current plans. Upgrade from Pricing or when the app asks you to add another device.
After an App Update
Force-close GamerGuard on parent and child devices, then reopen to load the latest dashboard. Parent web updates deploy to gamer-guard.com automatically. On iOS, Screen Time enforcement lives in the native app — if blocking or sync still feels wrong after a web update, install the latest child build from TestFlight or the App Store.
Smart Monitoring
Viewing Daily Play Time
On Devices, each card shows Today's play: minutes used, daily limit, and a progress bar. The parent sees time used (e.g. 36 min of 2h). The child app shows time left today as the big number — same data, opposite labels. Dashboard → Analytics shows trends by child over seven days. There is no live per-app breakdown (e.g. Roblox vs. Minecraft) on the parent dashboard today.
Remote Lock & Emergency Stop
Lock one device: Devices → Lock on the device card. Lock all children: Dashboard → Emergency Stop (top right). Games should stop within a few seconds. This is not a timed "pause until dinner" — tap Unlock or turn off Emergency Stop when you are ready. On iOS, allow notifications on the child app for the fastest lock while they are in another game.
How Gaming Sessions Work
By default the child device is session locked — games are blocked. The child starts a session from the child app (entering the session PIN if you set one). Time counts against their daily limit while the session is active. They can End Session in the app (session PIN may be required), or you can Lock them remotely. Optional Sleep Lock ends the session when the screen turns off (Parent Passcode may be required to change that setting).
Daily Limits & Bedtime
Devices → Edit (pencil) → Limits: weekday/weekend minutes and optional "Allow Time Starting At" (e.g. after school). Edit → Bedtime: downtime window (e.g. 9 PM – 7 AM). Dashboard → Schedules: rules for which days and times gaming is allowed. Bonus minutes from fulfilled rewards apply for today only and expire at midnight.
iOS vs. Android
iOS requires picking apps in Apple's Screen Time picker inside GamerGuard (shield icon on the child device). While a session is active, iOS usage can update in roughly minute-level steps via Screen Time monitoring. Android requires Usage access and Display over other apps; you may see a persistent "GamerGuard is Active" notification while monitoring runs.
Stopping Uninstall (iOS & Android)
Apple does not let apps block their own deletion. On iOS, GamerGuard walks you through Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → Deleting Apps → Don't Allow. Confirming that setup uses your Parent Passcode; the Screen Time passcode (not the GamerGuard PIN) is what blocks uninstall. On Android, use Google Family Link or your device's kids/profile controls so the child cannot remove GamerGuard.
Family Circles
5-Step Circle Setup
1. Family Circles → Create Circle. 2. Add Child (name, optional session PIN for unlocking play). 3. Devices → Add New Device → assign that child → Generate Code → enter it on the child app. 4. Settings → Family Security → Parent Passcode (for iOS app picker and uninstall-protection setup). 5. Devices → Edit for limits/bedtime/apps; use Settings → Content Safety for circle-wide blocked app IDs, and the iOS Screen Time picker for games Apple will shield.
What Is a Family Circle?
A private group of parents and child profiles. Circles hold missions, rewards, co-parent invites, circle-wide content rules, and Emergency Stop for every linked device. Physical devices are paired under Devices and assigned to a child when you generate the pairing code (you can change the assignment later in Edit).
Child Profiles & Session PIN
Add Child creates a profile with auto-generated avatar, points, and optional maturity level. Optional 4-digit session PIN: the child enters it on their device to start a gaming session. This is not the Parent Passcode. Each device is assigned to a child when pairing (or later in Devices → Edit).
Session PIN vs. Parent Passcode
Session PIN (set in Add Child): child unlocks a gaming session. Parent Passcode (Settings → Family Security): required on the child device to change managed apps in the iOS Screen Time picker, and to confirm Restrict App Deletion (block uninstall) during iOS setup. Remote lock, limits, and Emergency Stop use the web Dashboard — not the Parent Passcode on the child phone.
Missions, Points & Bonus Time
Kids do not only play when they earn missions. You set daily limits; missions earn points and fulfilled rewards add bonus minutes for that day only. Verify missions on Dashboard → Missions; Fulfill redemptions on Dashboard → Rewards. Badges and streaks update when you verify missions.
Circle Settings (Gear Menu)
On a circle card, open the gear icon: Content Filters, Purchase Approvals, Social Controls, and Privacy & Invites. Content Filters set allowed game ratings (ESRB-style). Settings → Content Safety is separate: circle-wide blocked app IDs plus a web-filter preference. Purchase and social settings are stored as circle preferences — enforcement varies by platform. What actually gets blocked today is driven by blocked app IDs, per-device Apps, and the iOS Screen Time picker.
Inviting Other Parents
Family Circles → Invite Adult. The invitee must already have a GamerGuard account. Co-parents share missions, rewards, device locks, and Emergency Stop. Privacy & Invites controls whether only the Owner or all members can send invites.
Emergency Stop
Dashboard → Emergency Stop locks every child device in the circle within a few seconds. Use it when all gaming must stop now. Lock one device only: Devices → Lock. Turn Emergency Stop off when normal rules should apply again.
Privacy & Invites
Family Circles → gear → Privacy & Invites: private invite-only circles and invite policy (owner-only vs. all members). GamerGuard does not read messages, track GPS, or sell family usage data. There is no parent toggle for per-app live history — you see daily totals on Devices. Full details: Privacy Policy and Terms of Service linked below.
Linked Devices
Pairing a Device
Devices → Add New Device → assign a child → Generate Code. The device is created as "Pending Device" (rename later in Edit). On the child device, open GamerGuard and enter the 6-digit code within 30 minutes. Once paired, the app remembers the device and opens the Child Dashboard automatically. Free plans allow 1 device; upgrade to add more.
Regenerate Code & Reset Play Time
If pairing fails or you need to re-link, use Regenerate pairing code on the device (Devices). Parents can also reset today's play time from the device card when usage looks wrong or stuck over the limit — then ask the child to reopen GamerGuard.
Content Safety & Blocked Apps
Settings → Content Safety: circle-wide blocked app IDs and an optional web-filter preference (strict / moderate / none). The web-filter preference is stored for your account; blocking today is driven by blocked app IDs, Devices → Edit → Apps, and — on iOS — apps you select in the Screen Time picker. Apple only allows shielding apps you explicitly choose.
How Blocking Works
When locked (session lock, parent Lock, Emergency Stop, bedtime, or daily limit reached), GamerGuard applies OS-level shields on iOS or blocking overlays on Android for managed apps. GamerGuard itself stays accessible so the child can enter a PIN or you can recover settings.
Online & Last Seen
Each device card shows Active if it checked in within the last 15 minutes, plus a relative last-seen time (e.g. Just now / 5 min ago). If a device stays offline, open GamerGuard on the child device and confirm Wi‑Fi and permissions. Shields already on the device keep working offline; pairing and remote lock need network.
Missions & Rewards
Creating Missions
Dashboard → Missions: assign chores like homework or cleaning. Children mark them complete; you verify to award points.
Extra Screen Time Rewards
Children redeem points for rewards in the child app. You Fulfill pending redemptions on Dashboard → Rewards to grant bonus minutes for today — they expire at midnight and do not carry over.
FAQ
Pair device → Devices → Add New Device.
Lock all children → Dashboard → Emergency Stop.
Parent passcode → Settings → Family Security.