BimbiLock
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App guide

Let’s get started,
one step at a time.

Set up BimbiLock as a parent. Before handing over the phone, always test opening apps, returning to the Space and leaving it with your PIN.

01 / Start here

Your first launch

  1. Open BimbiLock and create a four-digit PIN. Enter it again to confirm.
  2. Follow guided setup: read the Accessibility explanation and open the Android settings shown by the app.
  3. Enable the BimbiLock service, then return to the app. You must grant permissions yourself: the website and app cannot enable them automatically.
  4. Check the protection status. Choose which apps to lock or create your first Space.
Your BimbiLock PIN is separate from your phone’s unlock code. Choose a code your child does not know.

02 / The parent’s apps

APP protection

  1. From Home, tap “Choose APPs to lock”.
  2. Search for and select the apps you want to protect, then confirm to save.
  3. Check that protection is active and permissions are ready.
  4. Open one of the selected apps: the BimbiLock PIN screen should appear.

Use “View selected APPs” to review your selection and remove apps you no longer want to protect. You can pause and reactivate APP protection from Home. If Android has revoked a permission, restore it first.

If supported on your Android device, add the BimbiLock tile to Quick Settings: pausing protection requires PIN verification in the app. Uninstall protection is a separate setting.

03 / Their apps, all in one place

Create a child’s Space

  1. Open Children’s Area and create a new Space.
  2. Enter the name to display, then continue.
  3. Select the allowed apps and save.
  4. Read and accept the Space notice. It also explains browser and Store access and the addition of newly installed apps.
  5. If you have several Spaces, select the child who will use the phone and start their Space.

The grid scrolls vertically and offers small, medium or large icons. During a Space, allowed apps open without the BimbiLock PIN, even if they are selected for ordinary app locking. Sign-in requirements in other apps still apply.

To leave, use the exit command and enter your PIN. To stay, choose to return to the Space. Manage profiles and app selections in the parent area.

Browsers and Stores are accessible. During an active Space, recognised browsers and Google Play open without the BimbiLock PIN, even if selected for ordinary app locking. Web browsing is unrestricted, including game links and advertisements. If you select Game Hub, Galaxy Store is also accessible. Configure limits, accounts and purchase confirmations in the Stores first. BimbiLock does not filter content, advertisements or notifications, and does not create separate accounts in other apps.

New apps installed during a Space

After you accept the updated notice, new launchable apps installed while a Space is active are added to that child’s profile. The app is installed normally on the phone: no separate copy is created. The Space active when installation finishes determines which profile receives the app, regardless of who or which Store started the download. Previously installed apps are not added retrospectively, and other profiles remain unchanged.

Exit with your PIN to review or remove new apps from the selection. Instant or cloud games that do not install an Android app remain inside Game Hub. After an update, exit any active Space, open the parent area and start the Space again to read the updated notice.

04 / Make room for a web link

Add a web game

  1. In the parent area, edit the Space and open its app selection.
  2. Tap “＋ Web”.
  3. Enter a name and the full address, starting with https://.
  4. Tap “Add and select”, then save the Space.

The game appears in the grid and opens in the internal web view. External links may open in a browser; Google Play links may open the Store. During an active Space, browsers and Google Play are allowed without a PIN: the address you add does not restrict browsing throughout the Space. Some PWAs installed as apps are also supported: test the one you want to use on your phone.

The game may need an Internet connection. Sign-in on other domains, file selection, the camera and microphone may require external steps or may not be supported in the internal view. If a page fails to load, use the recovery controls or return to the Space.

Browser saves are not imported. Sites on the same domain share BimbiLock’s web storage: saves are not isolated for each child.

05 / Android, with your permission

Permissions and battery

What each type of access is used for
AccessPurposeWhen needed
AccessibilityRecognises the foreground app and applies PIN and Space rules.Required for protection.
Usage accessSorts by most-used apps.Optional.
Device administratorAdds a step before uninstalling.Only if you enable the option.
Battery settingsReduces service suspensions imposed by the phone.Depends on the model and configuration.

Open Settings → Permissions and battery to find the checks. Instructions cover Samsung, Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO, OPPO/realme/OnePlus, Huawei/HONOR and vivo/iQOO, alongside general guidance. Menu names may vary.

Messages are not read and screen content is not recorded. For details about data, read the privacy notice.

06 / Your preferred language

Italiano, English and العربية

Version 1.4.17, being prepared, adds Arabic alongside Italian and English for the interface and privacy notice. In that version, open Settings → Language and choose Automatic, Italiano, English or العربية. Translations work offline and the manual choice is saved. Check Google Play for update availability: this page does not announce its release.

In version 1.4.17, Automatic chooses Arabic when the primary system language is Arabic, regardless of region. Otherwise it uses Italian when the primary locale’s region is Italy (IT), and English for other regions. It does not use GPS, SIM or IP location. On Android 13 and later, the preference is synchronised with the app language in system settings.

Changing the language does not change your PIN, children’s names, Spaces or selected apps.

The translation covers screens and dialogs created by BimbiLock. Google consent forms and Android system windows use the languages offered by their respective services: the Google European consent form is not currently available in Arabic.

07 / If you forget the four digits

Recover your PIN

“Forgot PIN?” appears after five consecutive incorrect attempts. If compatible biometrics are configured, Android verifies the parent and lets you set a new PIN while keeping your selections.

If biometrics are unavailable, you can start a reset with a five-minute wait. You must confirm when the wait ends: time passing alone does not delete anything. The reset deletes your BimbiLock PIN, selections and Spaces, which you will need to set up again. It does not delete data from other apps.

The waiting period does not prove the identity of the person holding the phone: another person with physical access could also complete the reset. Support does not know your PIN.

08 / Optional additional protection

Uninstalling and removal

You can enable Uninstall protection from Home or Settings. Confirm your PIN and the Android permission request. It is not absolute protection, and it remains separate from pausing APP protection.

To disable it, open BimbiLock → Settings → Protect against uninstalling and confirm your PIN. Disable device administrator access before removing the app. If Android does not complete this step, use its settings.

Uninstalling or clearing app data deletes the local configuration. To update, use the channel you originally installed from: do not uninstall to force installation of a file with a different signature.

09 / Quick checks

If something goes wrong

What happens when I return from Privacy or Permissions?

In recent versions, returning from an internal Privacy or Permissions page takes you back to your previous screen. An additional PIN is not required within the same parent session while the app stays in the foreground. PIN verification is still required after the app goes into the background or you open Android settings. After the PIN, the app resumes the previous screen and retains your search, filters, scroll position, selections and unfinished name or web game forms. Remember to confirm to save your changes.

The PIN does not appear on selected apps

Check that APP protection is active, the app is selected and Accessibility is enabled. Check battery settings. Inside a Space, the apps allowed for that profile take precedence over ordinary app locking.

An app in the Space will not open

Check that it is still installed, selected and available on the device. Open it as a parent first to set up sign-in and permissions. For a web link, use “＋ Web” with an HTTPS address. Some apps or PWAs need specific checks.

A web game does not load or loses its save

Check your connection and that Android System WebView is available and up to date. Use “Try again” if offered. Internal web view data is separate from browser data and shared between sites on the same domain.

Protection stops after a while

Check “Permissions and battery” and your manufacturer’s instructions. Check again after restarting or enabling battery saving: Android may suspend the service.

Still need help? Write to bimbilock.assistenza@gmail.com with your phone model, Android version, BimbiLock version and steps to reproduce the issue. Do not send your PIN.