How to Install the Family Orbit Desktop App on Your Mac

Please watch this video to learn how to install Family Orbit Desktop App on your macOS:

To get started with remotely monitoring your child’s device via Family Orbit, you’ll first need to ensure that your child’s iPhone is set up for wireless backups to your Mac. Then, you can install the Family Orbit Desktop App and set up the syncing process.

Step 1: Set Up iPhone for Wireless Backup to Your Mac

1. Connect Your Child's iPhone to Your Mac
   Use a USB cable to connect your child’s iPhone to your Mac. Open Finder on your Mac. When prompted on the iPhone, tap Trust to authorize the connection.

2. Select Your Device in Finder
   In the Locations section of Finder, click on the name of your child’s iPhone.

3. Backup Settings
   Under the Backup section, select This computer. Make sure the checkbox for Encrypt local backup is left unchecked for faster backup processing. However, if you plan to log web history and call history, you must enable the encryption option.

4. Wi-Fi Sync Settings
   In the Options section, ensure that both checkboxes labeled "Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi" and "Automatically sync when this iPhone is connected" are selected.

5. Create the First Backup
   Click the Back Up Now button to create the first backup of your child’s device on your Mac.

Step 2: Download and Install the Family Orbit Desktop App

1. Log In to Your Family Orbit Control Panel
   Open your web browser and log in to your Family Orbit control panel. Once logged in, click on the top-right menu and select the "Add New Apple Device" option.

2. Download the Family Orbit App
   Visit the Family Orbit Download Page and navigate to the WiFi Sync section. Download the macOS DMG file for the Family Orbit Desktop app.

3. Install the Family Orbit App
   Once the download is complete, open the file and drag the Family Orbit app icon to the Applications folder shortcut. After that, you can close the window and drag the installer file to the Trash to keep your system clean.

Step 3: Grant Permissions on Your Mac

1. Open System Preferences
   Click on the Apple menu on the top-left of your screen, then select System Preferences.

2. Allow Full Disk Access for Family Orbit
   In the System Preferences window, click on Security & Privacy, then go to the Privacy tab. Scroll down to the Full Disk Access section.

3. Unlock the Settings
   Click on the Lock icon at the bottom of the window and enter your password to unlock the settings.

4. Add Family Orbit to Full Disk Access
   Click the plus button and select the Family Orbit app from the Applications folder to grant it the necessary permissions.

Step 4: Launch the Family Orbit App

1. Open Family Orbit
   Click on the Launchpad icon in your Dock, then select the Family Orbit app to open it.

2. Handle Security Warnings (If Any)
   When you run Family Orbit for the first time on macOS, you may receive the following warning message:
   

   In that case, simply click OK. Then, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and click Open Anyway next to the warning message to open Family Orbit.

   Important: Be sure to grant Full Disk Access permissions before attempting to open Family Orbit.

Step 5: Login and Set Up Syncing

Log In to Your Family Orbit Account
When the Family Orbit window opens, click on the Login tab and enter your Family Orbit credentials to sign in to your account.

Associate Your Child’s Device
Go to the iTunes tab and select your child’s device from the list. Then, associate it with your child’s Apple ID. If needed, you can create a new child ID here.

Sync Your Child’s iPhone Backup
Once the association is complete, return to the Overview section and click the Sync button. Family Orbit will decode the iPhone backup and upload it to your secure online account.

Step 6: Automatic Future Syncs

After the first sync, all future backups will happen automatically. Family Orbit will periodically check for new backups and upload them to your private online panel. You can view your child’s activity logs by logging into the Family Orbit control panel.

With the Family Orbit Desktop App installed on your Mac and your child’s device set up for wireless backups, you'll have continuous access to the monitoring data through your Family Orbit account. All future syncs happen automatically, allowing you to stay updated on your child’s digital activities.