Gabb Mobile Review (2024)

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Gabb At A Glance

What is Gabb?

Gabb claims to provide the world's safest smartphone options for kids. The devices are designed for children aged five and over and prevent them from accessing the internet and social media, or downloading games onto their devices. This makes them ideal for parents who want their child to have a mobile device but are concerned about what their child might access over the internet.

Gabb features

Gabb offers three devices aimed at children and teens: a smartwatch called the Gabb Watch 2, and two phones, the Gabb Phone and the Gabb Phone Plus. You’ll need one of these to use the Gabb service. You can’t bring your own phone to Gabb or use a Gabb phone on another carrier.

All of Gabb’s devices are designed for parents who want their children to have a phone but without access to the internet. The devices can’t access social media or the online app stores either.

Instead, there is basic functionality like GPS, along with unlimited voice and text messaging. Gabb works off the Verizon network, which is reliable and provides good coverage across the U.S. Finally, while the phones have a camera, the smartwatch doesn’t. 

When signing up, you can choose between no-contract, one-year and two-year plans. There is no price difference in the monthly fee across these options. However, you get a 10% or 20% discount on your Gabb device when committing to a one- or two-year contract, respectively. 

If you cancel your contract early, there’s $100-$150, depending on the contract. This termination fee decreases as you get closer to its end.

Is Gabb Reliable?

Gabb’s plans are limited to calls and text messaging, so you won’t have any issues with mobile data. And as it uses Verizon as a carrier, you’ll be connected to a reliable network. 

How Gabb Works

Gabb provides a child-friendly phone service. You purchase a Gabb device and pay monthly for calls and texts. Gabb devices are locked down with no internet access or social media, and you can control your child’s device from your phone. 

How to Get Started with Gabb 

Signing up to Gabb is straightforward. Register on its website, choose the device you want, and decide whether you want to sign up for a two-year, one-year, or no-contract plan. Then select any optional extras you would like—such as additional music subscriptions, a warranty, or phone accessories like screen protectors and cases. 

To pay for the device, you’ll need to register for a Gabb account by providing your name, phone number, password, and answers to security questions. You’ll also need to provide your payment details and shipping address.

Once you complete the checkout process, it takes Gabb one to three days to process the order for shipping. It will then take another one to seven days to receive your device, depending on which shipping type you chose. 

Activation process

When your Gabb device arrives, you can activate it via the Gabb website by following its activation instructions. You’ll need to:

• Download the MyGabb app on your own device

• Pair your child’s device with your app

From there, you’ll be able to configure the settings on the child’s device.

Selection of phones available

Gabb provides the choice of a smartwatch and two phones. The Gabb Watch 2 is a basic smartwatch with GPS and voice messaging built in. It also offers an own-brand smartphone called the Gabb Phone and a more premium Gabb Phone Plus, which is made by Samsung.

Gabb call and text performance

Gabb operates on the Verizon network, which means that you’ll get great coverage, and call and text performance should be good in most locations. 

Gabb data speeds

Gabb doesn’t provide mobile data and internet access on its devices. So, even though Gabb uses Verizon’s 4G LTE network, you won’t have access to cellular data. 

Gabb Customer Service

Gabb provides phone and live chat support from 7 am to 7 pm MST Monday to Friday and 7 am to 3 pm MST on Saturdays. Its support lines are closed on Sundays. Getting through to a person via the live chat was quick, and the support staff answered my questions promptly and politely. 

You can also email Gabb for support, as well as check its blog and knowledge base. The knowledge base itself is comprehensive and provides detailed explanations. 

How to Cancel or Pause a Gabb Subscription

You can cancel your Gabb subscription at any time by logging into your account via its website and selecting the cancel option on the subscription you wish to remove. If you cancel before the end of your contract, there will be a termination fee. This fee depends on your Gabb plan and the length remaining on your contract. 

Is There a Gabb App?

There is a Gabb App for your phone rather than your child’s. It’s intuitive to use and is a convenient way to control your child’s device without needing physical access. 

You first use the app during the activation process to pair the child’s device with your app. Afterward, you use the app to monitor how your child is using their device, send them messages, and check the device’s location. 

Gabb Pricing

How Much Does Gabb Cost?

With Gabb, each plan is connected to a device. So, the monthly amount you pay is based on whether you choose the smartwatch, standard phone, or premium phone. You can’t use your device with Gabb or use a Gabb phone on another network. 

You’re not committed to a contract with Gabb and can buy the devices outright, but committing to a contract gives you a discount. You get 10% off with a one-year contract and 20% off with a two-year contract.

Each plan is aimed at a different age group. The watch option is designed as a tool for younger children whose parents don’t want them to have a phone yet. The Gabb Phone Plus is made by Samsung and is targeted at older teenagers.

Given that no mobile data is included in these packages, the subscriptions feel somewhat expensive compared to the average.

Optional add-ons

The ability to send and receive images and group messages is an add-on for the Gabb Phone. You'll need to pay an additional $2 per month for this feature, although it comes as standard with the Gabb Phone Plus. A warranty is available for all devices for an extra $4.99 per month. 

You can also add a music streaming service to the phone for an additional $4.99 per month. This provides the phone with a kid-safe library of songs they can listen to radio-style over WiFi. Gabb states on its website that it will soon introduce a $9.99 per month plan that allows users to download music to their phones.

Gabb Alternatives

How Does Gabb Compare to Other Mobile Plan Providers?

Gabb vs AT&T

Gabb’s plans are best suited to families with one or two children. The pricing can be expensive for those with larger families, especially as you still need your own phone plan. AT&T’s pricing makes it more attractive to families using multiple lines and for heavier data usage. However, AT&T’s parental controls do require more configuration and are not as all-encompassing as those on Gabb. 

Gabb vs T-Mobile

T-Mobile offers a range of plans for seniors, first responders, and military personnel. However, it doesn’t have a specific child-only plan. Instead, it has a FamilyMode add-on for $10 per month. This allows you to supervise online habits across multiple devices, locate your family members, and set content filters on your child’s device. 

Gabb vs Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile's infrastructure, which doesn’t have the same coverage that Gabb provides. Mint Mobile also lacks the parental controls that Gabb has. If you’re on a budget and feel confident installing and configuring other parental control options for a phone, then Mint can offer good value for money. 

Gabb Visit Site

Bottom Line (Is Gabb Worth It?)

Whether Gabb is the right phone for your children depends on your approach as a parent. Other solutions for parental controls on a standard phone plan can be cheaper. Similar kid-friendly competitors provide more flexibility in what can be installed on the device. 

However, if you want a locked-down phone with limited functionality for your children to use, Gabb provides a convenient solution. Bear in mind it might not be entirely foolproof, as children have previously found ways to circumvent the restrictions. Gabb has addressed this issue, however.

Overall, I think the highlight of the Gabb lineup is the watch, as a great tool for younger children who aren’t ready for their first phone. It’s also the cheapest subscription in the Gabb lineup, making it a more affordable option.