A Poppy device can send messages to smartphones and other Poppy devices, but it isn’t a typical phone and has several key differences:

• Only previously approved contacts can message the device (or be sent messages)
• Sending messages requires a Wi-Fi internet connection
• Supports voice and text only (no images or video)

Poppy’s messaging features are designed to prevent unwanted messages and spam. For a contact to send or receive messages they must be invited by a parent via the link from the Contacts section of the Settings page. When a smartphone contact accepts an invite they will receive a contact card with the phone number they’ll use for messaging.

Messages sent to that number from anyone who has not been approved as a contact will not be delivered. For example, this means if you invite Grandma, she cannot simply share the phone number with Grandpa: he must also be invited.

If a contact changes phone numbers, they’ll need to be re-invited.

Managing Contacts

Parents manage contacts via the Contacts section of the Settings page.

Inviting a New Contact

Click the Invite button and share the provided link via a method of your choice (text message, WhatsApp, email, etc). The new contact will use that link to get set up, after which all parent contacts will receive a text notification indicating the addition of a new contact.

Editing a Contact Name

Click the dots next to a contact name and press edit. Editing a name can be particularly useful in order to:

• ensure that the name matches how your child refers to this contact
• clarify ambiguity if you have contacts with similar names (for example contacts named “Grandma” and “Gran” may be harder for your child (or the device) to distinguish, so editing the contact names for more specificity may help ensure messages are directed to the intended recipient).

Deleting a Contact

Click the dots next to a contact name and press “Delete”. This change takes effect immediately: messages can no longer be sent to or received from the deleted contact.

Designating a Contact as a Parent

If a contact is designated a parent, they will receive a daily device usage summary as well as notifications regarding new contact additions. To designate a contact as a parent, click the dots next to the contact name and select “Parent”.

How are numbers assigned?

You may notice that most smartphone contacts receive the same number for a particular user - but this is not always true. The exact phone number assigned depends on how many other Poppy users they have been invited to connect with.