Multiple Google Accounts In One Device (Android Market)

[Super Turtleman]

I did not see a question addressing this issue, so if it's already asked a link would be appreciated.

My kids are getting to the age where they're about to start having Android devices. I'd like to create a master account I can have on my phone (separate from my current google account) that I can use to download apps onto my kid's devices. Is there a simple way to do this? Can I have two different google accounts on one device and have them not interfere with each other?

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Android doesn't yet support multiple user profiles on a single device. There has been code discovered in recent versions of Android that suggests that Google is working on such a feature. So it is expected in a future version on Android.

But, for now, it's not supported.

 

[Super Turtleman]

Well, I thought of a kind of workaround. If I create an account and put it on the device, I can then load apps from my computer. Not as easy as just having it on my phone but I guess it might work.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

Maybe I misunderstood what you were asking. Currently, it's not possible to have multiple profiles on a device (i.e. two different log-in accounts, each with their own apps, wallpaper, permissions, etc.).

So whatever account you put on the device, the user of that device will have full access to it. In the case of apps, if you don't want to have to pay again for apps that you may have already purchased, you're going to have to use the same Google account that you originally purchased the apps under. If that's your primary Google account, then your child will have access to your GMail, Calendar, etc. I'm quite sure you don't want that.

Essentially, for now, Android is designed as a one-person-per-device system. Although some apps, like GMail can access more than one account, there are no provisions to segregate the accounts. Access to one means access to ALL.

Your alternative is to create an account for your child and not give them the password, and set up a PIN for app purchases in the Play Store app. You'll have to either only use free apps or re-pay for any previously-purchased apps under that new account.

 

[Super Turtleman]

I don't mind repaying for the apps, I just want them in my phone under my control. Jerry answered my question on the AC website. Thanks for your help.

 

[Insp_Gadget]

You're welcome. Yes, I saw the article on the front page. You're now famous.