Is TextNow Safe for Kids?
Age rating is set by App Store, not by Unstar. This page explains it and adds what parents report in reviews. Not affiliated with TextNow, Inc..
What TextNow's age rating means
TextNow holds a family-friendly 4+ rating on the App Store. It is broadly appropriate, but a low age rating does not remove every risk: check whether it has chat, ads, or in-app purchases below.
Things for parents to check
- As a Social Networking app, TextNow can put your child in contact with strangers or user-generated content that is not moderated in real time. This is the biggest supervision concern for younger users.
What parents and users report about TextNow
Users frequently report issues with account creation, logging in, and app crashes. Many complain about poor customer support and unexpected charges. The app is also criticized for being unreliable on computers and lacking privacy features.
Summarized from 93 recent 1-3 star reviews. These are user reports, not verified claims.
How to keep your child safe with TextNow
Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions. Set an age limit for apps, require Ask to Buy for purchases, and restrict or remove TextNow if it is above your child's age.
Use Google Family Link to approve installs, set a Play Store content rating limit, require purchase approval, and block or uninstall TextNow on your child's device.
TextNow for kids: frequently asked questions
Is TextNow safe for kids?
TextNow carries a family-friendly official rating (4+) on the App Store. That makes it broadly suitable, but even family-rated apps can include chat, ads, or in-app purchases, so check the factors below.
What age rating does TextNow have?
The App Store rates TextNow as 4+. This is the store's own content rating, set from the app's features and content, not our opinion. Use it as the starting point for whether it fits your child's age.
Can my child use TextNow safely?
If you decide to allow it, use device parental controls: Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions on iPhone, or Family Link and Play Store parental controls on Android. Turn on purchase approval, set age-appropriate content limits, and keep the account under your family group so you can see activity.
How do I block or remove TextNow from my child's phone?
On iPhone, open Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, then restrict or delete the app and block reinstalling it. On Android, open Family Link, select your child, find TextNow and block or uninstall it. You can also set a store age limit so apps above your child's age cannot be installed.