How to set up the Garmin Jr. app, approved-contact LTE messaging and location tracking on the Garmin Bounce kids smartwatch.
The Garmin Bounce is a kids' GPS smartwatch with a built-in LTE radio and a separate data plan. Children can send and receive messages — pre-set replies and short typed messages — but only with contacts that a parent has approved through the Garmin Jr. parent app. The Bounce has no open internet access, no app store and no social media. Parents see the child's location on demand from inside Garmin Jr. and can set school-mode windows that lock the watch into quiet behaviour during the school day.
Garmin Jr. Parent Approval
Garmin Jr. app > Settings > Contacts
Children cannot add or message anyone who is not on the approved list. Treat it like a contacts allow-list.
School Mode
Garmin Jr. app > Settings > School Mode
Hides games, mutes most notifications and limits messaging during school hours. Many UK schools require wearables to be in a similar 'silent' mode.
Location Requests
Garmin Jr. app > Map / Find
Locating a child should support conversations like 'are you home yet' rather than replace them. Always-on tracking can damage trust and is not always accurate.
Subscription Status
Garmin Jr. app > Settings > Subscription
LTE messaging and location need an active data subscription. If it lapses, the watch keeps telling the time but most safety features stop.
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