Linking a child's phone

The short version. Settings, Family, the child's card, Link their WhatsApp. The child sends the code from their phone, once. From then on, what they send goes to your Inbox with their name on it. Bobbie answers them only if you tick Let Bobbie answer.

Why link a child#

The letter is in the child's bag, the child has a phone, and you are at work. Linked, they photograph it and send it to Bobbie, and it is in your Inbox before they have put the bag down. "Football's moved to Friday" becomes something you can confirm rather than something you hear about on Thursday night.

Linking#

1. Open the menu, Settings, Family.
2. On the child's card, in the WhatsApp section, press Link their WhatsApp. A code appears, good for fifteen minutes.
3. On the child's phone, send that code to Bobbie's number. Open WhatsApp on their phone does it in one press if they are looking at your screen; otherwise read the code out.
4. Bobbie replies to the child to say they are linked. The card now shows their number, partly hidden, with Unlink.

What they can send#

Photos of letters, PDFs, voice notes, and messages like "trip on the 14th, need £12". Each arrives in your Inbox marked with the child's name, waiting for a grown-up. Nothing a child sends goes onto the calendar on its own. See things a child adds.

Whether Bobbie answers#

By default, no. The child can send in, and Bobbie says thanks, but any question gets a gentle "ask your parent to give you access". Tick Let Bobbie answer on the card and it will answer them, within limits you choose. See letting Bobbie answer a child.

What is really happening#

A child's phone number is stored against the child, not against a person who can log in. The code proves the phone is theirs. Their number is shown partly hidden to the parents, never to anyone else, and is deleted when you unlink or remove the child. The privacy notice covers exactly what is kept.