This guide is for Android specifically which assumes you have a smartphone or tablet of some kind, but before we really get into Android we should first consider the simplest line of attack. Do you need the device you have?

Setting up a device can be a hassle, and if you have no other option it can feel like a blessing when you finally have the device configured with robust safety controls. But you might be able to breathe the same sigh of relief for a fraction of the effort. As Jared Henderson says, sometimes there’s a physical solution to a technical problem.

If you’re open to selling your Android device and getting a basic phone instead, skip ahead to the alternative options section.

Now, on with our show.

What You Need

  • Andoff
  • Safe Browser w/ Plucky
  • A recent backup of your important data

Setup Process

Part 1: Andoff

A video of this part of the setup process is viewable on https://getplucky.net/andoff

A written guide is available at https://docs.andoff.one/how-to-install

  1. Factory reset the device
  2. When you’re at the first-time setup screen, tap on the screen until you enter QR Code mode
  3. Point the camera to scan this QR Code
  4. Proceed through the remaining first-time setup steps like normal

Part 2: Safe Browser

  1. Install Edge from the Play Store
  2. Launch Andoff > tap the center of the screen until you get the green checkmark
  3. Tap on the gear icon in the top-right corner to get to the settings screen
  4. Scroll down to the login section and sign in to your Plucky account (or create one now if you haven’t yet)
  5. Upgrade to the newest version of Andoff using the Check for update button a bit farther down
  6. Toggle Advanced Mode for later

Before moving on, also take some time to make sure your device is configured the way you like by restoring as much of your backed up data as possible and re-installing apps, special keyboards, etc.

If you’re setting this device up for a child and you want monitoring software, install it now.

Part 3: Harden Settings

Finally it’s time to lock-in so the device settings can’t be easily changed.

  1. Launch Andoff
  2. Toggle Install Plucky in supported browsers (this makes Edge safe)
  3. On the same screen, toggle the reset prevention options and set new installs to Smart Mode
  4. Tap on the Apps button in Andoff, and set each app’s status the way you’d like. Make sure to block any browsers that aren’t safe like Edge
  5. You can also protect any apps you don’t want to be uninstalled, such as monitoring software
  6. Go back to the settings screen and set a locking mechanism (either a delay or password)

Part 4: Plucky Configuration

Edge is now forcefully filtered by Plucky, but Plucky isn’t configured yet.

  1. Launch Edge and go to https://u.pluckeye.net/configurations/classic-android
  2. Tap on Import and select your config (usually called main)
  3. Edge now blocks images and videos by default
  4. Set a config delay to lock the Plucky settings as well
  5. Done!

Getting Help

If you’re having trouble with the setup process, or don’t know how to configure Plucky to filter Edge, here are some helpful links:

Provide feedback about this guide by clicking here.

Alternative Options

Click to expand for more info on each list item

Wisephone 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 The Wisephone is a minimalist Android phone that is designed to maximize your life by minimizing your device. A very effective option.
Light Phone 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 Light Phone, "A simple 4G phone with e-ink, messaging & other essential tools – a phone that actually respects you."
Tracfone 🇺🇸 🇵🇷 🇻🇮 Tracfone
  1. National Coverage
  2. No long term contract
  3. Choose a plan based on how much talking you do
  4. The Phone Rated site wants to help you select the Dumb Phone style that is best for you. Scroll part way down the page, and look on the right for the Regular 'dumb' phone only
Jitterbug 🇺🇸 Jitterbug
  1. Nationwide service with no long-distance or roaming fees
  2. No long-term contract - cancel anytime
  3. Choose your plan based on how much talking you do.
Snapfōn 🇺🇸 Snapfōn
  1. Use website to check coverage, but it is described as nationwide
  2. The length of the contract was unclear without reading details
  3. Choose a plan based on how much talking you do. 3 texts=1 minute of talk
  4. Handset replacement protection is built into the plan
Consumer Cellular 🇺🇸 Consumer Cellular
  1. Nationwide coverage
  2. No long-term contract
  3. Choose a plan based on how much talking you do
  4. Savings for 2 or more phones