The wellness-packed smartphone made for your kid
Quality smartphones that enable responsible and healthy usage for your kid's everyday life, with modes managed by parents.
Give your child or teen the device they want with the features you want. Easily add more functions as they gain responsibility.
Try risk-free for 30 days!
Now available in Canada
Where Gabb and Pinwheel agree
Get more insight into your child's digital life
Start with just talk and text monitored in your Caregiver Portal, then add more apps and freedoms as your child grows in responsibility.
Contact safelist allows calls and text with approved contacts only
Read text messages and monitor call history remotely, from your device
GPS locator shows you were they are and have been recently
600+ vetted apps with easy ratings to understand areas of concern
Workarounds and app loopholes closed
Choose your own cell phone plan
Pinwheel works with most carriers so you can add a line to your current plan, or try one of our affordable no contract options
Explore Our Features
Pinwheel vs Competitors
We offer the best options for your child to use their phone unsupervised, without worrying you.
Pinwheel is the only kids phone that gives you the ability to read actual text messages from your device, rather than simply using algorithms to block concerning content or warn you about issues.
Since the full text history is available on the Caregiver Portal, all text messages are available to you, even if the child deletes the text message from their device.
The Pinwheel team vets each individual app in the App Library according to child development expert recommendations. The easy Red-Yellow-Green rating system highlights concerns like ads or in-app purchases, potential for communicating with strangers, or explicit content.
Set up custom schedules when specific apps and contacts are available or not, such as only parents and emergency contacts during school hours, only alarm clock at night, etc.
The Pinwheel App Library has more than 1,200 apps, but not social media or web browsers, so you child will not have access to the entire Internet or social media platforms before they’re ready.
Schedules for during school, overnight and weekends can make specific apps and contacts available for certain hours.
Only approved contacts can call or text your child’s device, so they won’t receive spam or be able to communicate with strangers. If they receive a call or text from a non-approved number, you’ll see it as pending on the Caregiver Portal. As your child grows, you can allow them to manage their own Safelist.
Choose any cellular provider compatible with your phone model. All you need is a SIM card from your carrier of choice (you can use one from your current phone).
Pinwheel offers popular music streaming apps such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.
See where your child is and has been recently and get notified when they leave or arrive at a saved location.
See why thousands of parents prefer Pinwheel
"To me, as a parent, the key difference is this: Pinwheel has built a unique OS where the phone can be modified and updated based on your growing child, their daily schedule, and the cream-of-the-crop best apps in the app boutique."
Sara W.
Pinwheel's support is one of the best I've ever experienced!
David L.
Pinwheel is great because you can schedule when they have access to apps, friends, emergency contacts, etc. You can also go in and shut everything down whenever you want to...You have a lot of control and the apps give parents any type of warnings and explains why. You can decide whether to give him access to those or not.
Shelley B
I have been so impressed with both the Pinwheel Phone and their awesome customer service! The phone has so many options for customizing just the right balance of independence and protection for each family and each child within the family. The caregiver portal is intuitive and easy to navigate quickly to make adjustments as kids get older and needs change. The customer service has a lightning-quick response time and is extremely helpful. I would not consider any other phone for my kids and so highly recommend them to all families - there is no downside!
Maria O
Pinwheel has been exactly what we were looking for; a functional phone that helps me help my teen learn to engage responsibly. They’ve included more and more apps that help make this applicable to teens (and not just littles) and they’ve also started offering a better quality phone. The pricing is very reasonable and the customer service has exceeded my expectations with every interaction. I’m truly grateful for their mission and am impressed by the continuous improvements we’ve seen since we started with Pinwheel back in 12/2020. I would recommend Pinwheel to anyone without hesitation.
Katrina P
This is the best and most flexible child /teenager phone system available. I can add it to any carrier, even Mint Mobile. It is perfect for allowing your kid to grow and mature with what you allow them access too.
Carl C
After doing a lot of research for a phone for a teenage boy, I finally decided to give this a try. It has been a great starter phone and I love that it keeps him accountable and transparent with all of his activity. It's the perfect starter phone that allows him to do everything he needs without all of the garbage.
Angela R
Frequently asked questions about Pinwheel
What sets Pinwheel apart from other kids’ phones?
At Pinwheel, we believe there is a better way to introduce technology so that your kiddo develops a healthy relationship with mobile devices right from the start. Rather than putting the focus on controlling your child’s phone usage, our goal is to provide technology that adds value to your child’s daily growth and teaches your child how to use tech as a tool - in a way that brings you as the parent peace of mind
How much does Pinwheel cost?
Phone models start at CA$149 and the monthly service for the parent management software is CA$19.99 per month (or $18.33 paid annually). If you have more than one child with a Pinwheel, the monthly service for additional phones is just CA$6.99 (or CA$6.25 if paid annually). You may choose any cell plan you like.
Does Pinwheel offer free shipping in Canada?
Yes! Standard shipping (and returns) are free. Expedited shipping (generally 2 days) is CA$30 and Express (generally next day) is CA$55.
What is your return policy?
We offer free shipping and returns within 30 days of purchase for any reason. See our Return Policy for more details.
Does Pinwheel have unlimited texting and calling?
Pinwheel does not provide cellular service. Parents can add the phone to whatever plan they want, making it possible to put a Pinwheel on your family plan or any other plan with unlimited call and text.
What apps are available?
We have an App Library with over 1,200 popular apps (Spotify, Duolingo, Google apps, etc.). The App Library contains important information about each app and a rating based on child development expert recommendations. You choose which apps your child can access and download. If your child needs an app that's not available in the App Library, you can download it from the Google Play Store (except social media and adult apps), without making the Play store available to your child.
Does Pinwheel block social media?
Yes. Pinwheel phones do not have web browsers or social media apps like Instagram and TikTok. The App Library contains over 1,200 popular apps with detailed safety ratings so you can choose the ones that fit your child. As your child grows, you can add apps and functionality to fit their tech experience. If your child needs an app that isn't in the App Library, you can download it from the Google Play Store (except social media and adult apps).
What type of phone model is Pinwheel?
Our most popular phone, the Pinwheel Plus 3, is a Samsung model that is compatible with all major phone carriers. You can see the manufacturers and models on the product detail pages.