Unable to activate Safe Kids on Android 10 Go

[jkr]

I am attempting to install and activate Safe Kids on my child’s inexpensive Android 10 Go tablet, but without success.  During the activation process, I am asked to enable the feature to display over other apps, but the device says that the feature is not available because it slows down the phone.  This article describes the issue:

https://support.google.com/android/thread/73364335?hl=en

I am unable to move past that part of the activation process.  Is Safe Kids incompatible with Android Go, or is there some other workaround available?

[Flood and Flood's wife]

I am attempting to install and activate Safe Kids on my child’s inexpensive Android 10 Go tablet, but without success.  During the activation process, I am asked to enable the feature to display over other apps, but the device says that the feature is not available because it slows down the phone.  I am unable to move past that part of the activation process.  Is Safe Kids incompatible with Android Go, or is there some other workaround available?

Hello @jkr, 

Welcome!

As far as we understand, Android 10 Go is a stripped down A10, leaving only essential features to maximise performance & optimized for Google apps. If KSK can be made to work, there may be performance impacts🤔

If KSK is premium subscription, not free, log a case with Kaspersky Technical Support, follow the template as in our image, however, for Operating system, put Android 10, and in the problem description, put as much information as possible about the phone specifications, including an image of the About screen, with version information; please include a video of the issue, it will help the experts understand the issue & the URL/link to this Community topic: Support may request Logs & or other system data, they will guide you if necessary

 

• After submitting the case, you’ll receive an automated email with an INC+12digits reference number, then, normally, within 5 business days, a Kaspersky Technical Support human will be in touch, also by email, you may continue to engage with the Kaspersky Technical Team via email or by updating the INC in their MyKaspersky account.
• Please share the outcome with the Community when it’s available? 
• Note: if KSK is the free version, please post back? 

Thank you🙏

Flood🐳+🐋

Resources:

KSK hardware and software requirements

[jkr]

I apologize for the brief delay in the response.  This does appear to be an Android 10 Go edition issue.  I have two different brand tablets that are demonstrating the same problem.  I have a premium subscription, and have submitted a tech support case as you have suggested.  I’ll share the outcome once I know something more.  Thanks.

[jkr]

Unfortunately, the outcome is that I came away with no resolution, other than to contact the manufacturer of the tablets.  This isn’t a viable resolution, as the two tablets I have are budget tablets with minimal support.

I was not provided with enough information to know if I just got unlucky in the same way with two different brand tablets, or if this is an issue impacting all Android 10 Go edition tablets.  Nevertheless, my advice to anyone reading this is to avoid Android 10 Go edition like the plague for a child’s tablet, as it appears to me that these devices are so underpowered that Google stripped out the features necessary to lock them down.  As a parent, that unfortunately means investing in a more capable and expensive tablet for a child that may break it.

[Flood and Flood's wife]

Hello @jkr,

Thank you for the update & sharing the information👌

• Why have Kaspersky TS told you to “contact the manufacturer of the tablets”? Either they know KSK works or they don’t🤔

Thank you🙏

Flood🐳+🐋

[jkr]

Kaspersky TS gave me the following response:

“In other words the experts advised that you will need to get assistance from the Manufacturer of the device on how to enable this feature. As you have mentioned that they come with no manufacturer support this would make it challenging to resolve the issue.”

Reading between the lines, I think they are saying that they cannot figure out how to get KSK working on the device.  The device or Android version does not seem to have a feature for displaying over apps, so I’m guessing that’s a deal-breaker without a workaround for KSK.

[Flood and Flood's wife]

Hello @jkr, 

Thank you👌
KSK definitely needs to be able to “display over other apps” to function correctly. 

(ioo) Kaspersky need to make it very clear, in their documentation, KSK is not compatible with any “stripped down” android, even if the OS matches the standard OS available. 

•  @Igor Kurzin - please engage.

Btw, we checked the Go, (ioo) they’re not that “cheap”🤔

Are you going to use alternative Android devices, if not & if you cannot use KSK, request a refund. 

Thank you🙏

Flood🐳+🐋

[jkr]

I had suggested that Kaspersky build a list of known supported or unsupported devices.  Even having something like a list of “Kaspersky certified” devices that have been thoroughly vetted by their QA department would be helpful.  That would at least help other parents make better technology decisions for a child’s device.

The 2 Go devices we had were budget devices (~50 USD, give or take).  One was sold through Amazon (Linsay brand), and the other through Wal-Mart (Onn. brand).  I have used a wide variety of Android devices, but this is the first time I have come across Android 10 Go, and so far I’m not impressed.

I found that other software couldn’t secure these devices either because they need the same feature.  The devices lack other kid-friendly features, such as app pinning and restricted user profiles.  I eventually concluded that these devices were never intended for kids, so I cut my losses, bought my kid a Galaxy Tab, and took away the tablets that I can’t secure.

I already have another kid using KSK, so that was enough incentive to just go buy a more powerful tablet that can run it.

[Flood and Flood's wife]

Hello @jkr, 

Thank you for the update👌

Kaspersky maintaining a list of devices, is a big ask, given how rapidly that market changes. Kaspersky already documents some device/system conflict information, (ioo), all they need to do is add to that document. 

Thank you🙏

Flood🐳+🐋