Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Install, Configure and Use Kids Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If you're like me, then surely your kids ever borrow your phone and play with it. But, in some cases, the kids' curiosity sometimes make them accessing a thing that you don't want to be accessed by them. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy S5 provides the users with a widget called Kids mode that you can find in the Home screen. Kids mode allows you to restrict children's access to certain apps or contents stored in your phone so that you can provide your kids a fun and safe environment while using your phone. Since this widget is not installed by default, then you have to download it first and then install it in your phone manually. Once done, you can configure kids mode according to your need.

How to install Kids mode?
Before using this widget in your phone, you have to download and install it first by using the following steps:

1. Find the Kids mode widgets icon in the Home screen, and then tap it.
2. Tap OK button in the Install application screen.
3. Tap Install button. Your phone will download the widget and then install it.
4. Once installation is completed, you'll be asked to set your PIN. You can do so by tapping Set PIN button.
5. Enter your PIN twice.
6. Enter your alternative password (it'll be used if you forget your PIN) and then tap Continue button
7. Re-enter your alternative password and then tap OK button
8. In the Kid's profile screen, you can create a kid profile:
• If necessary, you can change the photo profile by tapping the picture box and then select the picture source (Select image to select picture from Gallery app, Take picture to take picture using the phone camera and then use the result as the photo profile or Select clip art to select picture from clip art) and then select the required picture.
• Enter your kid name.
• Tap the Date of birth field and then adjust to the required date and then tap Set button.
• Tap Next button.
9. Tap Accept button in the Disclaimer screen.
10. In the Add applications screen, select apps you're allowed by checking the box in the left side of the desired apps and then tap Next button.
11. Tap Finish button.
12. Now, the Kids mode has been installed in your phone.

How to configure Kids mode?
Once the installation and first configuration are completed, now you can configure Kids mode by using the following steps:

1. Tap Kids mode icon in Home screen or in the Apps menu.
2. Tap to enter the parental control screen.
3. Enter your PIN.
4. Tap to view all kids parental control menu.
5. Change the kid's profile:
• Tap the kid's profile name.
• Tap to edit the profile. Here you can change the photo profile, name and date of birth.
• Tap Save button.
6. See the kid's activities:
• Tap Activity.
• Tap Last 7 days tab to see total playtime and most frequently used apps in the last 7 days.
• Tap Last 30 days tab to see total playtime and most frequently used apps in the last 30 days.
7. Change the daily playtime limit:
• Tap Daily playtime limit.
• Slide the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to the right to enable this option.
• Tap the Circle time icon in the middle of the screen to adjust the limit.
• Here you can increase or decrease the daily playtime. The maximum daily playtime is 180 minutes or 3 hours.
• Tap Set button.
8. Allow or restrict apps:
• Tap Applications. Here you'll see all allowed apps.
• Tap and then select the required apps you want to add to the allowed apps list.
• Tap and then select the required apps you want to remove from the allowed apps list.
9. Allow or restrict contents:
• Tap Media.
• Tap and then select media (picture and video) you want to add to the allowed media list.
• Tap and then select the required media you want to remove from the allowed media list.
10. Adjust the Kids mode settings:
• Tap General.
• If necessary, you can enable 3D tilting effect on the Kids mode home screen by checking the box next to 3D tilting effect.
• If necessary, you can disable the Back key in Kids mode by checking the box next to Block key.
• If required, you can change your PIN by tapping Change parental PIN. You'll be asked to enter your current PIN and then enter your alternative password twice.
• If required, tap Reset and then enter your PIN to revert back the settings to the default.
11. Install kid's apps to the Kids mode Home screen:
• Tap Kids store.
• Tap OK button in the Disclaimer screen.
• Now you can see kid's apps grouped into some categories (Special, For kids, Learning, Play, Story and Other). As a note, you should have a Samsung account in your phone to be able installing apps from the kids store. If you have not added a Samsung account, you'll be asked to either sign up a new Samsung account or sign in with your existing Samsung account.
• Select the desired apps you want to install. I'll write further more about it in another post.
• The newly installed app will be added to the allowed apps list automatically

How to use Kids mode home screen?
Once you configure the settings of the Kids mode, now your kid can use your phone to play safely. Here are the complete steps to use kids mode:

1. Tap Kids mode icon in Home screen or in the Apps menu.
2. The Kids mode home screen is now enable. Here you can see some default apps (Kids Gallery, Kids Camera, Kids Drawing, Kids Voice Recorder and Kids Media) and additional apps that you have installed before from the Kids store. 
3. Now, your kid can play all allowed apps and contents in Kids mode safely.
4. As a note, unless you exit from this mode, this mode will remain active even when the screen is locked. And, when the daily playtime limit is over, the Kids mode will be locked and can't be used unless you extend the limit.
5. To exit or disable Kids mode, tap and then enter your PIN.

Please note that while Kids mode home screen is being used, all notifications sound will be turned off and the notifications panel can't be accessed. Well, given to the feature and how this mode works, now you can lend your phone to be played by your kid in peace without worrying they will access or use unwanted apps or contents.