In brief: everything you need to do to set up a Sayph phone, in order, on one page. Ten minutes with the phone in one hand and this page in the other and you’re done. Each step says why it matters, so nothing feels like a hoop.
1. Insert the SIM
The Sayph phone takes a physical nano-SIM only (no eSIM). We don’t sell SIMs – any UK provider works. If you haven’t bought one yet, our choosing a SIM page covers data, MMS and networks; around 5GB a month should be sufficient for most children.
2. Turn on WiFi and mobile data
Connect the phone to your home WiFi, then switch mobile data on: Settings → Connections → Data usage → Mobile data. Mobile data matters more than people expect: picture messages don’t work without it (even on WiFi), and location updates away from home need it. Full detail in turn mobile data on.
3. Create your parent account
Go to app.sayph.one in a browser and create your account with a real email address – please don’t use Sign in with Apple, which can create a hidden relay address and lead to duplicate accounts later. Choose your plan here on the web app; subscribing through the iOS or Google Play apps costs more.
4. Pair the phone
Generate the pairing code with the phone in your hand: a code from the mobile app is valid for 1 hour, and a code from the web app at app.sayph.one is valid for 24 hours. Enter it on the phone. The phone needs a connection (WiFi or mobile data) to register. If a code keeps being rejected, generate a fresh one from the web app; if that’s rejected too, email help@sayph.one with the code shown and the exact error.
5. Switch on Music and Radio, if wanted
Sayph Music, Radio and MP3 are the only things off by default. If your child would like them, switch the toggles on in Sayph Space – otherwise the Music app will say “no stations are published yet”, which reads like a fault but isn’t. More on the Sayph Music page.
6. Enable notifications
On the phone, allow notifications for Sayph Messenger and Sayph Phone: Settings → Apps → Notifications. Without this there’s no unread-message indicator, and children miss replies.
7. Set the child’s PIN – and write it down
There is no parental override for a forgotten PIN; that’s an Android-level constraint, not a Sayph choice. Record it somewhere safe during setup and you’ll never think about it again.
8. Approve first contacts, and MMS per contact
Add and approve your child’s first contacts in Sayph Space. Picture messages are off by default for every contact – switch MMS on per contact if wanted, and allow a little time for the change to reach the phone before testing. Approve 999 and set it as an emergency contact so it can be called even in school mode.
9. Add a second parent by invitation
One subscription covers the family. Add a second parent from within your family (Add Parent in the Family tab), so they join by invite code rather than creating a separate account of their own. If they’ve already made a separate account, email us and we’ll merge it.
Email help@sayph.one with the step you’re on and what the screen says. Most setup problems turn out to be one of: mobile data off, an expired pairing code, or notifications not yet allowed.
Last updated: 9 September 2026.
More answers on the Support Centre. Thinking about Sayph but not bought yet? Read things to know before you buy.
