TickTalk 3.0 - FAQ
How is TickTalk safer for children than your competitors?
TickTalk was created by parents for parents and designed specifically with family in mind. With no internet access, a custom designed parental control App, accurate location tracking, numerous safety features, plus 24/7 security over our backend to protect users from any viruses or potential hacks, we offer the ultimate peace of mind for families over our competitors. Our company purposely offers a small product line so we can dedicate all of our resources to protecting our customer’s data and privacy.
Other large companies have multiple lines of products, offer little in dedicated security, limited customer service assistance, and create products with huge audiences in mind. They typically use third party developers or generic Apps and backends with potential security loopholes that may cause accidental disclosure of personal information and privacy. TickTalk has it’s own internal team that designs, develops, and manufactures the watch and App directly and does not share our program with any third parties. We partnered with Amazon Web Service for our cloud computing service for an added layer of security along with our Firewall protection. TickTalk operates under one main goal: to connect and protect families all over the world in the safest way possible. When purchasing TickTalk, you also have access to our US-based customer service team who is available 5 days per week 9AM-6PM PST to answer any questions or issues you may have.
What are the main differences between TickTalk 3 and other brands of children's smartwatch phones?
Founded by two parents who were searching for a way to connect with their child without giving the responsibility of a smartphone, TickTalk was designed to have all the important features of a cell phone while prioritizing children’s safety and privacy without compromising on parental controls.
Our entire operation is handled internally with the majority of our research and development taking place in the United States. We’ve designed our free TickTalk 3 App and interface to be user-friendly and we incorporate the latest technology in our hardware and operating systems. The majority of our competitors are developed and designed by international startups that typically come with turnkey software and a generic App. Our engineers come with years of experience creating gadgets at companies like Samsung and Apple and continuously research the latest cutting-edge technology to guarantee our products are first-in-class.
Is TickTalk a smartwatch or is it a smartwatch phone? What is the difference?
TickTalk is a smartwatch phone which means it operates exactly as your smartphone does but in the form of a watch. TickTalk can do everything from one device, whereas other smartwatches may require the same brand cell phone or constant Wi-Fi to access features like phone calls, text messages, and location tracking.
Does the TickTalk watch connect to my phone through Bluetooth like other adult smart watch brands?
No, the watch is a standalone smartwatch with it's own cellular service, so it does not need to connect to your cell phone. It does not require an outside Bluetooth connection as it has it's own SIM card which allows it to make phone calls, access data, and send text messages.
What are the features kids will like?
Kids love our FaceTalk video calling feature to connect with friends and family anytime, anywhere. They love using the 2MP camera to snap and share memories with loved ones and the Messaging Center where they can send GIF, emoji, photo, voice, and text messages in individual and group chats. Kids also love our personalization options with our switchable wallpapers, backgrounds and ringtones to make their TickTalk their own.
What are the features parents and guardians will love?
Parents and guardians love being able to connect to their child when they are apart and all the parental controls the TickTalk 3 has to offer. TickTalk helps give children the independence they crave and you the control you want. Having your child a phone call, video call, text, or voice message away makes connecting easier than ever. Our Locator and History Route features allow you to always know where their child is and make sure they are safe. Reminders helps teach kids good habits and Do Not Disturb Mode teaches children to stay focused and limits distractions.
What features keep kids safe?
TickTalk 3 has tons of safety features! TickTalk 3 allows Parents/Admins to approve all watch contacts so you know exactly who is calling or messaging the watch, enable the Firewall to block unknown numbers from contacting the watch directly, disable the dial pad so children cannot call unapproved numbers, location tracking with history route options, SOS emergency contacts, 911 emergency response, disable the watch from being turned off, and more.
What features are in the parental controls?
In the free TickTalk 3 App, Parents/Admins can create custom text responses, set the watch in Do Not Disturb mode, approve other App users and contacts, track the watch location, enable the Firewall to block unknown numbers from calling the watch directly, allow the option for 911 dialing, lock the watch dial pad, disable the watch from being turned off, send greeting cards, and more.
Does TickTalk 3 come with games?
No, as of now the TickTalk 3 does not come with any games. We’ve designed the watch to prioritize personal connections and safety with limited distractions.
Does TickTalk 3 have access to the internet?
No, TickTalk 3 does not have access to the internet or the ability to download social media apps. With research piling up of the effects social media and online content have on children’s mental and emotional development, we created TickTalk to give families a way to connect seamlessly while also protecting children from exposure to inappropriate and unhealthy online content.
Can TickTalk download apps from the internet?
No, since TickTalk does not have internet access it cannot download any third party apps to ensure the protection of your child’s data and privacy. All features on the TickTalk 3 are designed internally by our team for the safest possible product for your child.
Does TickTalk 3 block calls from strangers or unknown numbers?
Yes, TickTalk 3 can block calls and messages from unknown numbers, allowing only preset approved contacts to contact the watch directly. To activate this feature, you will need to enable the Firewall through the free TickTalk 3 App. We created this video for more information on using and setting up our Firewall.
Can TickTalk 3 call 911?
Yes, TickTalk 3 can dial 911 in case of emergencies that require police or medical intervention. We made a shortcut by pressing the silver button once and the red button twice to call 911 directly. We created this video for more information on dialing 911 directly from the watch.
How can I keep my kids from calling random numbers from the watch?
Through the free TickTalk 3 App, Parents/Admins can disable or enable the watch dial pad. When enabled, children can call any number they’d like and when disabled can only speak with pre-approved contacts through the free TickTalk 3 App.
How do I contact the watch? Is it through my phone provider or do I have to download an app?
Parents/Admins and pre-approved contacts can contact the watch directly through the free TickTalk 3 App which is available to download at the Google Play and Apple Store. All communication is done through the TickTalk 3 App to ensure the child’s data and privacy are always protected.
How do I message the watch and where can I see the messages?
Parents/Admins can message the watch directly through the free TickTalk 3 App which is available to download at the Google Play and Apple Stores. All messages are stored in the Messaging Center and you have the option of sending text messages, voice messages, photos, GIFs, and emojis back and forth with your child to always stay connected. We made this video for more information on setting up individual chats.
Who can message the watch?
Any contact who has been approved by the Parent/Admin can message the watch directly once they download the free TickTalk 3 App from the Google Play or Apple Store. The Parent/Admin will receive a notification for any add requests to the watch to approve or deny.
Can I set up a group chat with our entire family if we only have one TickTalk watch?
Yes! You can set up a group chat with your entire family, other TickTalk watches, teachers, and more as long as they download the free TickTalk 3 App from the Google Play or Apple Store. We made this video for more information on setting up group chats.
Can TickTalk send text messages from the watch face?
While the watch face cannot type out text messages due to its small size, we have preloaded preset text responses in the watch and give the option of creating up to 25 custom text responses through the free TickTalk 3 App to best fit your child’s lifestyle like “heading to soccer practice” or “going to Theo’s house.” A lot of our TickTalk families enjoy using the voice messaging feature to send longer messages back and forth. We created this video for more information on setting up custom text responses.
Where can you set up customized text messages?
You can set up custom text messages through the free TickTalk 3 App and will appear on the watch end immediately. We made this video for more information on setting up custom text responses.
Will my child be able to see any text messages I send when it is in DND (Do Not Disturb) Mode?
When in Do Not Disturb mode, text messages that are sent cannot be seen as the watch is shut off from any alerts or notifications. During DND mode, only the screen remains on to show the time to limit distractions. However, the watch can still be tracked by the Parent/Admin during DND and any messages sent will come through as soon as the DND mode time limit is up. We created this video for more information on setting up Do Not Disturb mode.
Will my TickTalk receive messages instantly even if it's in bad reception?
Yes, we’ve optimized our Message Center to receive all text, voice, emoji, and photo messages immediately after being sent. If you happen to be somewhere where the reception is weak, the Message Center will resend or refresh to receive any messages you may have missed as soon as reception improves.
How long of a voice message can you record on TickTalk 3?
Each voice message can be up to 1 minute long.
How many contacts can I set up on the watch?
TickTalk 3 allows up to 53 preset contacts on the watch. We made this video for more information on setting up contacts.
I see TickTalk has two watch access settings for contacts: Full Access and Limited Access. What is the difference and can I set different access levels for different contacts?
TickTalk allows you to set every contact’s access level in the TickTalk 3 App. A contact with Full Access will have the same access as the Primary User including locator tracking, Super Hearing, editing contacts, and other privacy features. A contact with Limited Access will have minimal access to the App including making voice calls, Wi-Fi and video calls, using the messaging center, and sending Greeting Cards to the watch directly. We made this video on setting user access settings for more information.
How do I set contacts? How can I keep them from adding all their friends or chatting with people they’ve met online?
Any person who wants to text and FaceTalk the watch must have the free TickTalk 3 App downloaded and will have to be approved by the Parent/Admin. The Parent/Admin will be alerted of any add requests in the App to ensure your child is only speaking with people that have been approved.
Can TickTalk set up a voicemail?
No, TickTalk does not have a voicemail box. However, you can send voice recordings in our Messaging Center so your child instantly receives your voice message.
Can TickTalk 3 call international numbers?
Yes, TickTalk 3 can communicate with international or overseas numbers if you have the T-Mobile or AT&T plan. You will need to set up the contacts through the free TickTalk 3 App with all applicable dialing details which can be provided by your local carrier.
How does the location tracking work on TickTalk 3?
TickTalk 3 uses 3 different technologies and will automatically choose the best signal for the most accurate location. Your TickTalk does not need to be on Wi-Fi to track and will work in 3 steps to offer the most precise location:
- First, it will locate the nearest public Wi-Fi to enable online tracking with a location accuracy between 100-500 feet.
- If the watch cannot locate a public Wi-Fi hotspot or the Wi-Fi signal is weak, it will locate a GPS signal with a location accuracy between 10-300 feet. In GPS mode, while the accuracy is higher, it will result in faster battery drainage so the watch will rely heavily on Wi-Fi locating.
- If a Wi-Fi or GPS signal is not available, the watch will locate the nearest cell tower signal and use the cellular tower location. The locating accuracy in this mode is between 500 feet to 20 miles depending on how far the cellular tower is from your TickTalk. TickTalk will mainly use Wi-Fi and GPS to track and will rarely use cellular towers. However, some of our customers who live in rural locations do rely on cellular towers as they do not have access to strong Wi-Fi or GPS signals.
What is the locating accuracy of TickTalk 3?
The locating accuracy of TickTalk 3 has been greatly improved compared to the past 2 generations with the addition of 4G reception. Now, the watch will automatically choose the strongest signal to give you the most accurate location. We have optimized the locator algorithm to be more precise for outdoor positioning via GPS. As GPS locating can consume excess battery while searching for satellite signals, we utilize public Wi-Fi locating as the main technology to optimize battery life while maintaining an accuracy of 100-500 feet.
Does TickTalk 3 have GEO-fence?
No, TickTalk 3 uses Wi-Fi locator as the main locator to show location with an accuracy between 100-500 feet. GEO-fence can result in inaccurate tracking, which is why we rely on 3 different technologies to track the watch so you always know where your child is.
Does the watch allow you to send pictures?
Yes, the TickTalk 3 allows for 2-way photo sharing to be sent from watch-to-watch or watch-to-App.
The camera of TickTalk 3 is 2MP. Will the photos look blurred?
With TickTalk’s small screen, 2MP resolution is more than enough to still offer high-quality photos to share memories with friends and family.
Can kids transfer the photos and videos to parents?
Kids can save and send photos through the Messaging Center. At this time, TickTalk cannot send videos from the watch to the free TickTalk 3 App due to data limitations. We are currently in the development phase for our Cloud storage service and will be contacting customers as soon as it is available.
Can TickTalk 3 record video?
Yes, TickTalk 3 can record up to 30-second videos on the watch and save to the photo album. TickTalk 3 has an 8GB memory to store photos and videos.
Is TickTalk 3's video calling function smooth?
Yes, we enhanced our FaceTalk video calling and optimized our server in the United States to make image transmission faster and smoother. Our Engineering team works 24/7 to ensure that any bugs or issues are fixed immediately.
Does TickTalk 3's video calling feature consume a lot of battery?
Video calling will consume more battery and it may cause the watch temperature to rise. For protection, we set a 3-minute usage time limit for video calls and the system will cut off the video call automatically once the time limit has been reached. If you are not concerned with battery consumption, you can make another video call directly after the 3-minute cutoff.
Does TickTalk need cell service?
Yes, TickTalk needs a SIM card with cellular service to work properly. TickTalk is not affiliated with any wireless carriers but is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks. We provide a free SIM kit from Red Pocket as an affordable monthly plan for our TickTalk users which you can find more information about here. Make sure your monthly plan is a regular cell phone plan with talk, text, and data. Wearable, digits, tracking, or tablet plans are not compatible with TickTalk.
Does TickTalk work with Verizon or Sprint?
At this time, TickTalk is not compatible with Verizon or Sprint but it is compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Red Pocket, which is a US-based prepaid carrier that offers a no-contract, pay-as-you-go plan with no activation fee for a more affordable option.
If I don’t want to get a SIM card and cellular plan, will TickTalk work with just Wi-Fi?
Yes, TickTalk can technically work with just Wi-Fi but will not work whenever your child leaves the Wi-Fi area and they will need to set up a new Wi-Fi connection wherever they go to use the watch. We recommend our included Red Pocket SIM card kit which is an affordable, pay-as-you-go plan that offers plans as low as $10 per month for 500 minutes, 500 texts, and 500 MB of data. Make sure your monthly plan is a regular cell phone plan with talk, text, and data. Wearable, digits, tracking, or tablet plans are not compatible with TickTalk.
Will TickTalk stop working once I’m out of Wi-Fi?
No, if you have a cellular SIM plan through AT&T, T-Mobile, or Red Pocket, TickTalk will work just like your cell phone does. Your child will be able to access all features and receive calls, messages, and location tracking with TickTalk’s 4G/LTE reception.
Which SIM plan should I select when checking out?
While TickTalk is not affiliated with any wireless carriers, we provide a free SIM kit from Red Pocket as an affordable monthly plan for our TickTalk users. We offer multiple carrier options so you can select which option works best for you:
- Pick Red Pocket on GSMA Network if you want to go with Red Pocket SIM on AT&T’s network for $10 per month (500 minutes/500 SMS texts/500 MB of data)
- Pick Red Pocket on GSMT Network if you want to go with Red Pocket SIM on T-Mobile’s network for $10 per month (500 minutes/500 SMS texts/500 MB of data)
- Pick “Your Own Local Carrier” if you are outside of the US, want to add a new line to your family plan, or would prefer to get the SIM directly through your carrier. The average cost for an additional line directly through the carrier is between $35-$45 per month. Make sure your monthly plan is a regular cell phone plan with talk, text, and data. Wearable, digits, tracking, or tablet plans are not compatible with TickTalk.
Red Pocket SIM activation will need to happen through the Red Pocket website and not through T-Mobile or AT&T. To activate the Red Pocket SIM, credit, or refill your monthly plan, view the user manual, go to Red Pocket's website.
What is Red Pocket?
Red Pocket is a US-based prepaid carrier that offers a no-contract, pay-as-you-go plan with no activation fee. Red Pocket works with both AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks to offer an affordable plan option with the same coverage as the major networks. You can activate the SIM and credit the account online at their website. Please be aware, the watch will not work with the Red Pocket yearly plan and we recommend the $10 monthly plan with 500 minutes, 500 SMS texts, and 500 MB of data. To view other plan options, you can explore Red Pocket’s website here.
What kind of reminders are preset in the watch?
TickTalk comes with 60+ preset reminders like homework, feeding their pet, reading books, brushing teeth, chores, and more!
Can I set up custom reminders?
Yes, you can set up to 20 total reminders. Choose between creating custom reminders or 60+ preset reminders in your TickTalk to best fit your child’s lifestyle. We made this video for more information on setting up custom reminders.
How many hours can a fully charged TickTalk 3 operate?
Battery life will vary based on network signal, personal usage, configuration, cellular network, and amount of time used. With average use, a fair estimate would be between 8-12 hours on a full charge. Below is a short guide to what you may expect:
Does TickTalk have a touch screen?
Yes, TickTalk has an easy-to-use touch screen.
Does the screen easily break on TickTalk 3?
No, we built the screen on the TickTalk 3 with kid’s lifestyles in mind. We improved the design of our screen to be wrapped in a rubber housing to ensure that if it were to fall, the screen would be protected and not touch the ground directly.
What does the water resistance IP67 rating mean?
IP67 water resistance rating means the TickTalk 3 is capable of withstanding water exposure immersion between 15 centimeters and 1 meter for up to 30 minutes for the life of the watch. We do not recommend wearing the watch while bathing, diving, swimming, or other water activities as the water-resistant parts of the watch may age over time resulting in reduced protection.
Can I go swimming with TickTalk 3?
No, IP67 water resistance on electronic products is not designed for swimming. IP67 technology is designed to prevent damage in the case of minor water exposure.
What is the return policy?
We want you to love your TickTalk, but understand sometimes it just isn’t a match. If you want to return your TickTalk, we will accept a return for a full refund within 30 days of the original purchase date as long as it is in good condition and does not present water damage.
What type of warranty do you offer?
We offer a 1-year limited warranty for any hardware issues with no charge to you for parts or labor for a replacement watch. Our warranty is only valid when purchased from authorized retailers (MyTickTalk.com and Amazon) and cannot be applied to outside third-party purchases. The warranty does not cover water damage as we cannot confirm the amount of time or quantity of water exposure.
What is the age range for TickTalk?
TickTalk was designed for children between the ages of 5-12.
Can TickTalk 3 listen to music?
As of now, TickTalk 3 does not come with a music feature. However, this is a feature we would like to explore for future generation TickTalks.
Does TickTalk 3 fit older children's wrists?
Yes, the strap can fit a wrist up to 7.5 inches. If your child’s wrist is larger than that, you can replace the band with any adult watch strap with a width of 22mm.
Does TickTalk 3 have vibrate mode?
Yes, the TickTalk 3 has 3 ringtone modes: vibrate with sound, vibrate mode, and silent mode.
Can TickTalk 3 adjust to Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, TickTalk 3 has an auto time zone system that distinguishes between different time zones based on operator signal. If the operators in some countries do not provide NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) service, you can manually adjust the time in the settings on the watch. We made this video for more information on setting the watch time.