How to Add Netflix to Leapfrog Epic

As one of the leading kids’ tablets on the market, Leapfrog offers exciting, educational and learning playtime for young children. Most parents don’t want to subject their kids to the full power of tablets and the internet in general. By the same token, they don’t want their kids to be technologically unprepared for life, either. Devices such as Leapfrog Epic, therefore, offer true middle ground.

Although certain Netflix content might be too much for your child, allowing them to watch some Netflix content is more than acceptable. Here’s how to add Netflix to Leapfrog Epic.

Why Let Your Kids Use a Tablet?

Yes, as a parent, you’re constantly worried about your little ones. You’ve been through life (at least a part of it) and you know that there’s a lot of information available out there. To make things worse, this information is regularly accessible through everyday devices such as tablets, smartphones, computers, etc. Certain measures that limit the browsing experience for your kid do exist, but your child is probably much more tech-savvy than you might think. They’ll find a way around it.

However, you don’t want to deny your children a valuable piece of future life experience that is technology. Nowadays, you need to be fluent in the latest developments in order to get anywhere.

Enter devices such as Leapfrog. These are essentially tablets that are designed for children and come with various content blocks that allow for an absolutely safe and seamless tablet experience. Using Leapfrog, your child is on a safe path towards becoming tech-savvy.

Why Add Netflix?

Although you may enjoy hours upon hours of Netflix, you probably don’t allow your children to watch all the content available on the Netflix app. There are certain TV shows and movies (actually a lot of them) that aren’t children-friendly.

On the other hand, a large scoop of content available on Netflix truly is intended for kids, so you may want to allow them access to a certain degree. Netflix is the daily part of our lives and your child knows this.

Netflix for Kids

The Netflix app is available on most devices that range from mainstream TVs to mobile devices. It can be easily downloaded using the dedicated app. As an Android device, Leapfrog Epic should come with Google Play, right?

Nope. Leapfrog Epic doesn’t come with Google Play preinstalled, and if there’s one thing that you should know about Google Play, it’s that it’s impossible to find, download, and install. The only way you can use it is if you’ve got it with the device.

So, how do you download Netflix on Leapfrog? Well, all Leapfrog Epic devices come with their own native app stores that offer a variety of interesting apps that are intended for children. Netflix, too, happens to offer its very own kids’ version that only features Netflix content appropriate for children. The app can be found easily in Leapfrog Epic’s dedicated app store and downloaded as you would download an app on any other device.

Regular Netflix

Although allowing your kids access to regular Netflix is in no way recommended (if it was, you’d be able to find the typical Netflix app in Leapfrog’s dedicated app store), there’s a way you can install it onto your kid’s Leapfrog device. In fact, almost any Android app that you can find on Google Play can be manually downloaded, set up, and installed on Leapfrog Epic. This does take some tweaking, mind you.

The Parent Screen

First of all, this is all done from the Parent Screen. The Parent Screen is started by tapping on the parents icon in the top-right screen corner. Once you tap this icon, you’ll have to enter the parental lock code that you chose when setting up the device. Once you’ve entered the code, you’ll gain access to the Parent Screen.

Third-Party Apps

Even though Leapfrog Epic is an Android device, it treats all Google Play content as third-party apps. In order to be able to install Netflix or any other Google Play app, go to Device: Settings & Accounts, found in the upper-right corner of the screen. From here, go to Device Settings, followed by Security. Now, tap Unknown Sources. This will prompt a warning to pop up. Tap Okay to confirm.

Installing the App

In order to install Netflix or any Google Play app, you’re going to have to access the browser. Towards the bottom of the list in front of you, you’ll see an entry called App Center. If you don’t see it, you probably have to update the Leapfrog’s firmware. Do this from the System Updates menu. Tap App Center and then tap Other. Confirm all warnings and you’ll see a browser open.

Inside the browser, go to an APK download site such as “APKMirror.com”, find the Netflix (or any other) app, and download it. Once the download is finished, tap the app and it will open.

Blocking Third-Party Installation

Once you’re done installing Netflix or another app, you’re going to want to block access to the browser. To do so, go to Device: Settings & Accounts again, navigate to Device Settings, then Security and uncheck the Unknown Sources option.

Why block this option again? Because your kid can easily learn how to gain access to any Google Play app out there and, at that point, you may as well give your child a regular tablet.

Leapfrog Epic and Netflix

Although there’s a legitimate way to install the kids’ version of Netflix on Leapfrog Epic, if you want to, you can find a workaround that will allow your kids access to other Google Play apps. In any case, you should pay attention to what you’re downloading. Otherwise, the Leapfrog limitations are pretty much useless.

Would you let your kid use a typical Google Play app? Which one(s)? Would you give them access to Netflix? Feel free to discuss this and anything else in the comments section below.