Question 1

Can the Tin Can phone call 911?

Accepted Answer

Tin Can says 911 calling is supported on both the Can 2 Can and the Party Line plans. Its own pages word the set-up differently: the product page says "911 is always enabled", while its FAQ says 911 services have to be enabled to activate the device, and the product page's quiet-hours answer begins "If you have 911 enabled". Tin Can recommends always having an alternative means of contacting emergency services. Per Tin Can's terms, 911 will not function if the device loses power, the internet connection fails or is unstable, or the account is suspended or terminated, and the service may not support 911 in all locations or at all times. They say 911 calls may be routed to a national emergency response center rather than a local public safety answering point if the current location cannot be validated, and that emergency calling may not function outside the United States, Australia, and Canada. Tin Can says calls to 911 will connect even during Quiet Hours.

Question 2

Does the Tin Can phone work without a monthly plan?

Accepted Answer

Per Tin Can, the free Can 2 Can plan provides calling to other Tin Cans (and 911), is included with every device and needs no subscription. Tin Cans can call each other as long as both numbers are approved in the app, and calling approved external numbers takes the Party Line subscription.

Question 3

How much does the Tin Can phone cost per month?

Accepted Answer

Per Tin Can, on the Party Line Plan ($9.99 / month) the phone can call anyone the parent adds as an approved contact in the app, including external numbers such as cell phones and landlines. Tin Can says the plan is available month-to-month or annually, that costs vary by country, and that two lines that each make external calls need two Party Line plans. Per Tin Can, the Party Line Plan's first month is free. Per Tin Can's terms, a subscription automatically renews unless it is cancelled, with reasonable notice before any automatic renewal; it may be cancelled at any time, but subscription fees already paid are not refunded, with access continuing to the end of the current subscription period. The terms say prices shown exclude taxes and shipping and handling.

Question 4

Does the Tin Can phone work in a power or internet outage?

Accepted Answer

Tin Can says that if you lose power at home the Tin Can will not be able to call 911, because it requires a power source and an active internet connection to make or receive any calls, including emergency services. Its terms say the customer is responsible for maintaining backup power or an alternative means of accessing emergency services in an outage. Per Tin Can, it plugs into any standard wall outlet and requires a power source to make or receive any calls. Asked whether the Tin Can is wireless, Tin Can answers "Nope, sure isn't!"

Question 5

Can you take the Tin Can phone to another house or on vacation?

Accepted Answer

Per Tin Can's terms, if a device is moved to a new location the Registered Location (the address it holds for emergency calls) must be promptly updated. Tin Can says it is sold and supported in the US and Canada, and on moving it within the home it says that after mesh set-up it can be moved back to "its usual spot". Its current pages don't say how to switch it to a different Wi-Fi network, or whether it can join hotel or other networks that need a web sign-in. Per Tin Can's terms, if a device is moved to a new location the Registered Location must be promptly updated, failing to do so may result in emergency services being dispatched to the wrong address, and there may be a delay before the new address is available to route emergency calls.

Question 6

Who can call the Tin Can phone?

Accepted Answer

Tin Can says "Approved contacts only" and that the parent manages who calls in and out; it says only callers the parent approves can communicate with the Tin Can. Tin Cans can call each other as long as both numbers are approved in the app, and approved external numbers can call in if you have the Party Line Plan ($9.99 / month). In a Community Directory, Tin Can says families approved by the directory admin see other families in their Tin Can contact list, and parents can limit who their kids can call in the app.

Question 7

Does the Tin Can phone need a phone jack?

Accepted Answer

Per Tin Can, it runs entirely on Wi-Fi with no phone jack required, on the home's 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. Tin Can says it can work with mesh Wi-Fi systems, though setup may take an extra step.

Question 8

Does the Tin Can phone record calls?

Accepted Answer

Per Tin Can's privacy policy: "We do not record calls made using Phones." It says it does collect call logs, network quality metrics and other technical data related to call performance. Per Tin Can, call logs in the companion app let parents keep track of who's calling who and for how long. Its privacy policy says it collects the phone numbers called or received, the date/time of the calls and the length of the calls.

Question 9

Can you return the Tin Can phone?

Accepted Answer

Per Tin Can, there is a 45-day return window starting from the day the order is delivered, with no special reason required. The Tin Can should be in the same condition it was received in, original shipping charges are non-refundable, and items sent back without starting a return through the portal can't be refunded. A Party Line Plan subscription has to be cancelled separately from the device return.

Tin Can, a Wi-Fi home phone for kids: what Tin Can says

The phone

What it costs

Calling

Where it works

Calling 911

Parent controls

Common questions about the Tin Can phone