Set up a reading device

A reading device is a browser a grown-up has trusted for your children. You trust it once on the child's Sign-in and devices page. After that, your children can sign in themselves with pictures, words or a tap.

Before you begin

• Your child needs granted consent. See Give consent.
• Use a normal browser window. A private window can't stay trusted.

Steps

1. Sign in on the device you want to use.
2. Open Children from the menu and choose Sign-in and devices on your child's card.
3. The page is titled "Hand the device to" your child's name.
4. Under "How" your child's name "signs in", pick a method and set it up. The choices depend on the band. See Choose a sign-in method.
5. Under "Trust this device for" your child's name, press Trust this device. It then shows Trusted.
6. Press Start the 10-minute check and hand the device over. If you aren't ready, come back any time from Children → Sign-in and devices.

How long it lasts

A trusted browser stays trusted for 180 days. It works for all the children in your family, so you don't trust it again for each one.

What you'll see

Your child opens the reading page and sees "Who is reading today?" It lists the children in your family who have granted consent. They pick their picture and sign in.

If it doesn't work

• "Who is reading?" is empty or missing your child. The child needs granted consent. See Child isn't on "Who is reading?".
• The device forgot it was trusted. Cookies were cleared or the window was private. See Private browsing and cookies. Sign in as yourself and press Trust this device again.
• A child is locked. See Child is locked out.

Common questions

Can I trust more than one device? Yes. Repeat the steps on each browser.

Can a child use a school or friend's device? Only a device you have trusted. Don't trust a browser on a computer you don't control.

Does my child need an account? No. Children are not email accounts. They sign in on a trusted device.

Next: Hand it to your child.