Uninstall Protection

Note: this is an archive page

How To Enable Uninstall Protection

When you first register the application on your child’s device, you will be prompted to enable both the Anti-Tamper and Uninstall Protection functions. We strongly recommend to enable both these functions, and to keep them enabled (ie: whilst it is possible to disable them later, please don’t!).

If either of these functions is disabled, then when you launch the application, you will be prompted to re-enable the function.

Legacy Application Information

The details below apply only to older versions of the apps. It is STRONGLY recommended to update the MMGuardian application on your child’s device to the latest version, to benefit from the superior anti-tampering functionality.

Uninstall Protection for Phone App versions 2.0.8 to 2.35 and Tablet App versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.6

The Uninstall Protection function includes various anti-tamper measures, and when not enabled it can be possible for a smart child to find ways to interfere with the correct operation of the app. We recommend to enable the function, as follows:

Launch the MMGuardian app on your child’s phone, and on the main screen, select the “Settings” icon. On the settings screen you’ll see an on/off button for Uninstall Protection. Tap the button to turn it on. You’ll be taken to an Android security screen, to confirm the selection. (As manual approval by the phone user at this screen is required, this is the reason why we are not able to set “Uninstall Protection” to be enabled by default).

If you find that the MMGuardian app is either not installed, or that it goes to the registration screen when launched (rather than the admin password screen), then it’s a sure sign that the app was tampered with. However, even if the app is still installed and looks to be functioning normally, without Uninstall Protection, it’s possible to tamper with the app, to prevent it working normally.

Standard Protection for Phone App versions 2.0.8 to 2.35 and Tablet App versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.6

Please note that the standard Uninstall Protection mode only provides protection against light tampering, but it’s still possible to uninstall the app by first disabling the MMGuardian Device Administrator status in the Android Settings: Security: Device Administrator screen. (If this were to occur, you should receive an SMS alert to the parent admin phone, or an email in the case of the tablet app). Hence:

Enhanced Protection for Phone App versions 2.0.8 to 2.35 and Tablet App versions 2.2.0 to 2.2.6

To fully protect the app, please consider also enabling the optional “Lock the device with the admin password….” check box, which can be seen on the Settings screen of the Parent Web Portal, next to the “Uninstall Protection” on/off button. However, note that if a serious attempt is made to tamper with the app by disabling the MMGuardian Device Administrator status in the Android Settings: Security: Device Administrator screen, this will result in the phone becoming locked with the Android lock screen. In this locked state it will only be possible to make 911 emergency calls, until your MMGuardian admin password is entered to gain access to the device. You will also then need to reset the Android lock screen as described in Reset Android Screen Lock . (If this lock occurs, you should also receive an SMS alert to the admin phone, or an email in the case of the tablet app).