ThisCalculator

Everyday

Life360 Child’s Phone: Setup Guide

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Life360 Child's Phone: Setup Guide

To set up Life360 on your child’s phone, you install the app, create a family circle, and add the child’s device through an invite link or QR code. This guide walks through the full process for both iPhone and Android, including permissions, location settings, and troubleshooting.

What Life360 Does

Life360 is a family location-sharing app that shows each member’s real-time location on a private map. It also offers driving reports, crash detection, and panic alerts. The free version covers basic location sharing; paid plans add features like driving analysis and unlimited place alerts.

The core unit is a “Circle”—a private group of up to 8 members (free) or more with a paid plan. Each member must have the app installed and running on their own phone. You cannot track a phone that does not have the app, and you cannot add a device remotely without installing it on that device.

Before You Start

You need the child’s phone in hand and their passcode (or your ability to unlock it). You also need the parent’s phone with Life360 already installed and logged in. Check that the child’s phone has a working internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) and that location services are enabled in the system settings.

  • If the child’s phone is an iPhone, you’ll need their Apple ID password to approve some permissions.
  • If it’s an Android, you may need to disable battery optimization for Life360 later.
  • Ensure the child’s phone has enough storage for the app (about 100 MB).

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. Install Life360 on the child’s phone from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
  2. Open the app and tap “Get Started.” You’ll be asked to create an account or sign in. For a child, create a new account with their email or phone number. You can also use the parent’s account to add a child later, but a separate account is usually cleaner.
  3. Enter the child’s name, birthdate, and phone number when prompted. The app will ask for permission to send SMS or push notifications—allow these.
  4. Join or create a Circle: If the parent already has a Circle, the child can join by entering the Circle’s invite code (found in the parent’s app under “Settings” > “Circle” > “Invite”). Alternatively, the parent can send an SMS invite from their app, and the child taps the link.
  5. Grant location permission: The app will ask for “Allow While Using” or “Always”. Choose “Always” so the child’s location is available in the background. On iPhone, also go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Life360 and set to “Always”.
  6. Enable notification permissions so the child receives alerts for check-ins and circle messages.
  7. Verify the child appears on the map in the parent’s app. The first location may take a few minutes to appear.

Important Permissions and Settings

After the initial setup, check these settings to ensure reliable tracking:

  • Background App Refresh (iPhone): Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Life360 = ON.
  • Battery Optimization (Android): Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization > Life360 = “Don’t optimize” (or “Unrestricted” on some phones). This prevents the OS from killing the app in the background.
  • Location Accuracy: Use high accuracy (GPS + Wi-Fi + mobile networks) on Android. On iPhone, ensure “Precise Location” is toggled on for Life360.
  • Do Not Disturb / Focus modes can temporarily block location updates. If the child’s location goes stale, check if a Focus/DND mode is active.

Common Problems and Fixes

If the child’s location does not update, try these in order:

  1. Force-close and reopen Life360 on the child’s phone.
  2. Toggle Location Services off and on in the phone’s system settings.
  3. Check the app’s own location permission—it may have been reset to “While Using” after an OS update.
  4. Restart the phone.
  5. Reinstall the app (make sure you have the login credentials).

Another common issue: the child’s phone shows a “no network” or “offline” state. This usually means the phone has no cellular data or Wi-Fi. Life360 requires an internet connection to send location data.

Costs and Plans

Life360 has a free tier that includes basic location sharing, one or two places, and crash detection. Paid plans (Life360 Plus and Premium) add unlimited place alerts, driving reports with speed and phone-use data, and roadside assistance. Prices vary by region and are listed in the app. The free tier is sufficient for basic location tracking.

Privacy and Safety Considerations

Before setting up, discuss with your child that they will be visible to the family circle. Life360 does not allow hiding your location from the circle admin—if the child disables location or uninstalls the app, the parent is notified. Also note that Life360 collects location data and shares it with third parties for analytics (per their privacy policy). If you are concerned, you can limit the circle to only family members and review the privacy settings in the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up Life360 on my child’s phone without them knowing?

No. The app must be installed and logged in on the child’s phone, and the child will see the app icon and receive notifications. Life360 is designed for transparency within a family.

Does Life360 work on a child’s iPhone?

Yes, it works on both iPhone and Android. On iPhone, you must allow “Always” location access and enable Background App Refresh to get continuous updates.

Can I track my child’s phone if they turn off location?

No. If the child turns off location services or enables airplane mode, Life360 cannot determine the phone’s location. The app will show the last known location and the time it was recorded.

How do I add a second child?

Repeat the same setup process on the second child’s phone, either creating a new account or adding them to the existing circle via an invite. Each child needs their own phone with the app installed.

Is Life360 free?

Yes, the basic version is free. Paid plans offer additional features like driving reports and unlimited place alerts, but they are optional.

What if the child’s phone is lost?

You can see the last known location in the Life360 app. If the phone is off, you may need to use the phone’s built-in finder (Find My iPhone or Google Find My Device) as a backup.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.