Team Mint ArrowQuick version: Get THE safest phone for kids for FREE plus more when you use code MINTARROW just in time for back-to-school!!
Parents, back-to-school season is here, and if you’ve been searching for the safest phone for kids, the best smartphone for teens, or just a way to stay connected without the constant worry about what they might see online (we’ve all been there!), this is for you.
We’ve done all the research, looked into every avenue, consulted all the safe tech resources out there, tested devices in our own homes, and we can confidently say: Troomi makes the safest phone for kids. And right now, we have an exclusive deal that’s even better than the one on their site.
Troomi’s FREE PHONE Deal
YES, you really can get a FREE phone from Troomi plus one month of free service on any plan and free activation when you use code MINTARROW at checkout! You’ll only pay for shipping and warranty (if you’d like to add warranty). This deal is even waaay better than what they’re offering on their site RN!
Limited time only – don’t wait!
How to Claim Your Free Phone + 1 Month Free Service
- Go to Troomi.com
- Choose your plan.
- Enter code MINTARROW at checkout.
- Pay only for shipping (and optional warranty).
- Enjoy peace of mind knowing your child has the safest phone possible.
Why Troomi Is the Best Safe Phone for Kids
After testing Troomi with our own kids, here’s why it wins:
- Total parental control via the Parent Portal – adjust who they can call or text, which apps they can use, and when their phone is active.
- No social media or open browser unless YOU allow it.
- Safe apps only – educational tools, music, school apps, and games you approve.
- Spam call & text blocking – no random numbers slipping through.
- Military-grade security to keep predators, explicit content, and scams away.
What kind of phone does Troomi use?
Troomi is now offering the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G — and it’s a game changer. This isn’t just another budget phone; it's a sleek, powerful device that parents and kids will both love.
It retails at $200 and gets rave reviews everywhere, but what makes it really special through Troomi is the safety-first setup: no random calls or texts, no social media rabbit holes, and no sketchy websites. Just a smart, modern phone that parents can fully control from the Troomi Parent Portal.
How do the parental controls work?
Troomi’s Parent Portal is one of our favorite things about this phone. You can:
- Approve or block calls and texts
- Control which apps are allowed (or none at all)
- Set daily usage windows (like after school only)
- Add or remove contacts instantly
- Change settings without touching your child’s phone
You can even give temporary access for things like sending a photo, and then turn it right back off — all from your phone.
How Troomi Keeps Kids Safe from Harmful Content
If you know Corrine's story of addiction recovery, you know how deeply important it is to protect our kids from stumbling into pornography, violence, or unsafe online interactions.
Troomi makes it easier with:
- A safe web browser that only allows the sites you approve
- No social media until you decide they’re ready
- Military-grade security to block intruders and predators
With Troomi, you’re not just giving a phone — you’re giving boundaries, safety, and peace of mind.
Best Age to Give a Child Their First Phone
Bill from Troomi told Corrine in a podcast interview, “There’s no perfect age… but wait as long as possible.” We couldn’t agree more.
We love that Troomi can start out extremely limited — so kids can learn safe phone habits. For us, that meant they could only call or text parents and grandparents at first.
A Genius Alternative to a Home Phone
Corrine hasn’t had a home phone in years (too many telemarketers!), but still wanted a safe way for their kids to reach them.
With true safelisting, Troomi blocks spam calls and texts entirely. So when they're away, their kids can call or text only them — no creepy numbers, no spam. Those sweet “goodnight” and “love you” messages from their kids when they're traveling? PRICELESS.
Best Troomi Plans for Kids
When Corrine first started with Troomi, we went with their most basic $19.95/month plan because, it was the cheapest safe smartphone plan they could find — and it came with no contracts (huge win in our book). A lot of Troomi’s competitors will lock you into a contract just to get “low” pricing. Not here.
Least Expensive – $19.95/month
Unlimited talk and text to approved contacts, GPS tracking (a lifesaver for after-school pickups), and all the basics your kid actually needs.
Middle – $24.95/month
After one trip out of town, we realized how much we wanted to send photos back and forth. This plan added picture messaging and group texting. Totally worth the extra $5.
Premium – $29.95/month
Eventually, they upgraded to the top plan so their kids could access safe, parent-approved apps while traveling — things like Gospel Library, Duolingo, and their school-favorite, Epic Reading. They can turn these apps on or off instantly from their own phone using the Parent Portal.
Bottom line? For $19.95–$29.95 a month, you can give your kids a phone that keeps them connected with you and totally out of trouble.
FAQ – Safe Phones for Kids 2025
Q: Does Troomi require a contract?
A: There are NO contracts required with Troomi!
Q: Can I transfer an existing phone number to Troomi?
A: YES you can! It'll ask for transfer info when you go to checkout.
Q: How is Troomi's tech support?
A: We had to call them once because we couldn't figure out one of their features, and the nicest guy got on the line with us and, in the most friendly and patient way, walked us through step-by-step until we were 100% confident we had resolved our issue. Their customer support is Nordstrom-level world class. Seriously.
Q: Can Troomi phone FaceTime?
A: No. Troomi phones are Android-based and don’t support FaceTime.
Q: What apps does Troomi have?
A: Troomi offers a curated library of safe, educational, and productivity apps such as Canvas, Duolingo, Epic, and Spotify Kids. Parents can enable or disable these anytime. You can shop a three-tiered app collection where you choose from carefully-vetted apps, or almost any app from the Google Play Store.
Q: What carrier does Troomi use?
A: Troomi uses the T-Mobile network for coverage. Check your area to ensure strong service before purchasing.
Q: Which is better, Troomi or Gabb?
A: Both are designed as safe phones for kids, but Troomi offers more flexibility, safe app options, stronger security, and gradual “unlocking” of features as your child grows, making it better for long-term use.
Make Your Kid’s Phone Safer with Troomi!
Remember, you can get a free Troomi phone plus one month of free service on any plan and free activation when you use code MINTARROW at checkout! This exclusive offer is only available for a limited time! When it comes to safe phones for kids, this is absolutely our top pick, and we know you’ll love it for your family, too.
wow. 50% off sounds really appealing to me. Thank you for recommending the coolest cell phone for kids. I loved reading this blog seriously. Loved it big time.
Hi I just saw this 50% off code and it’s past will this be happening again anytime soon
Hi! The deal probably won’t be back until Black Friday! You can use code MINTARROW for $50 off though! 🙂 -Kourtney
Do you need a case? I have boys that are “physical” sports etc. I don’t see any listed on website.
Yes you for sure need a case! You’ll just want to get one that matches your Samsung phone, they are super easy to find on amazon or mall kiosks etc! 🙂 -Kourtney
This sounds like exactly what I am looking for. Great review! But I have a question… do you need additional service through a cell phone carrier, like Verizon, for this phone to be usable when not on wifi? Thank you!
Hi Amy! Yes you do need additional service – Troomi’s plans start at $19.99 per month and go up to $29.99 per month depending on which features you’d like, and you can cancel anytime!
-Kourtney
How does the front (selfie) camera on the A12 compare to the A13? I can’t find info about it online but I think my daughter uses that camera more often than the back one. I know the back camera on the A13 is significantly better but on their website it says the selfie cam is only 5MP but I cannot find what the selfie cam on the A12 is.
Hi Heather! The A12 has an 8 MP selfie camera and the A13 is only 5 MP, but the quality is still great! The A13 camera though is a 50 MP camera and the A12 is a 48 MP. We got word from Troomi that they are running low on A12, so if you’re thinking about that one, you may want to act quick before they sell out! 🙂 -Kourtney
PS We are getting our better than Black Friday deal back this Friday for 24 hours since the last time it went live, there was an IG outage if you want to hold off until then!! 🙂
Yay! Thanks for letting me know!
Thank you for your review! I’ve been staring at kidsafe phones all morning and your endorsement really helped with making a decision. FYI, the sale is on again for the holidays, yay! We’re buying three so it makes a big difference.