Tag Archives: Freetime Unlimited

Amazon releases new update for FreeTime Oops problem (But it may not work)

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Here is another update on the “Oops! Something went wrong with FreeTime” problem. Prior posts on the problem are here and here.

Amazon has released what they say is “a fix for many of the issues that lead to this error.” They are asking customers to  update to the latest version of the FreeTime app (FreeTimeApp-fireos_v3.17_Build-1.0.210214.0.26452).

Per Amazon’s post, here are the instructions for updating:

Please follow these steps:

  • Confirm that your device is connected to a wireless network.
    • Connected devices have a Wi-Fi or 4G LTE icon with signal bars near the battery indicator.
  • Sync your device.
    • Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick actions menu and then tap the Settings (gear) icon. Tap Sync Device. Large files may take time to download.

If you want to ensure FreeTime updated to FreeTimeApp-fireos_v3.17_Build-1.0.210214.0.26452, go to:

Fire OS 5 Tablets (4th – 7th Generations):

  1. Settings > Apps & Games > Manage All Applications.
  2. Find the Downloaded tab (yellow bar), then swipe the entire screen to the right (see All tap).
  3. Scroll down until you find the FreeTime app. All apps are in alphabetical order.

Fire OS6 – Fire HD 8 – 8th Generation:

  1. Settings > Apps & Notifications > Manage All Applications.
  2. Scroll down to FreeTime app.

Amazon added several troubleshooting tips, according to the post on the Kindle device forums:

If the issue continues after updating,please follow the below troubleshooting steps:

  1. Reboot/restart the impacted Fire Tablet, then check if the issue is resolved.
  2. If the issues persists after a reboot, clear the application data for FreeTime.

Please note: Clearing the application data may delete customers content on customer’s FreeTime profiles.

Be aware that this fix may not work for all customers and additional improvement will be released in the next few weeks. [Emphasis added]

One person already posted on the forum that the update did not work for them.

The frustration level on this issue seems to be off the charts. Tech issues are aggravating enough, but the primary users of FreeTime are small children, who neither have the skills or the patience to deal with the issues. As a parent, seeing my kids repeatedly upset by this would make me extremely angry. Amazon needs to come up with a working fix for this, ASAP.

UPDATE: Oops! Something went wrong with FreeTime

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Someone from Amazon posted an update on the Amazon Device forum on Monday to the “Oops! Something went wrong” error message problem for FreeTime. Note that this is NOT a permanent fix, but is meant to allow people to use their tablets while Amazon is working on the fix.

First Measure: Device Reboot

  1. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds
  2. Turn back on the device

Second Measure: Clearing FreeTime App Data

  1. Switch to adult profile on the tablet

  2. Tap on the Settings icon

  3. Tap on Apps & Games row

  4. Tap on Manage All Applications

  5. Swipe right to see all applications (ALL will be underlined in orange)

  6. Scroll down and select FreeTime

  7. Tap CLEAR CACHE

  8. Tap MANAGE SPACE

  9. Tap OK on the Are you sure you want to clear data from Amazon FreeTime popup window that appears

More to come on this story!

Oops! Something went wrong with FreeTime

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Users on the Amazon device forum are complaining about issues with FreeTime on their devices. Users are reporting getting the “Oops! Something when wrong” error message. This issue has been going on for the last few weeks.

Several common threads among the complaints:

  • The problem seems to have started for most people after the most recent update for FreeTime and the latest Fire OS update.
  • Sometimes, rebooting temporarily fixes the problem, but it keeps coming back.
  • Amazon is recommending a factory reset (which does NOT seem to be fixing the problem.
  • Several people have noticed that they get the error message when WiFi is not available or has disconnected.
  • The FreeTime app is also causing a severe battery drain problem.

Amazon has been working on the problem. A user on the device forum was given the following fix by Amazon support (NOTE: there seem to be reports that this does not work for everyone):

I opened a chat with customer service a few minutes ago. Apparently there is a patch that gets pushed out if you do the following. It’s similar to what outnumbered_by_boys posted above. I can’t confirm it fixes the problem yet but it seems promising.

1. Swipe down from the top of your Home screen and tap “Settings.”
2. Tap “Apps & Games,” then “Manage All Applications.”
3. Swipe left until the “All” tab is displaying.
4. Tap “Freetime.”
5. Select “Force Stop” and then “Clear Cache.”

Please sync the device.
1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, and then tap the Settings (gear) icon.
2. Tap Sync Device.
Please sync both the devices and keep still for 2-3 hours and connected to WiFi.
It will auto update the new patch files and the freetime will work on both of the devices then.

Some people are saying the above fix worked for them while others are continuing to experience problems.

This is not the first time an update has caused a problem for FreeTime users.

More to come on this an more info becomes available. You can follow the discussion on the topic on the Amazon device forum here.

Note that because of the similarity between FreeTime (a free app) and FreeTime Unlimited (a premium app), it is unclear which app is having the problem.

SEE AN UPDATE ON THIS STORY HERE WHERE AMAZON HAS RELEASED A TEMPORARY FIX.

Freetime Unlimited adds kid-friendly audiobooks

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Amazon is releasing a new update for its Freetime Unlimited service that adds over a thousand kid-friendly audiobooks to its collection of apps, games and videos for children.. Available books will include classics like Peter Pan, Rip Van Winkle, Beauty and the Beast and more. The books will be delivered via a software update. Freetime Unlimited works on  Amazon tablets and iOS and Android devices.

According to Amazon:

Families can also use their FreeTime Unlimited subscription to access FreeTime Unlimited on Alexa, an all-new Alexa experience for kids and parents with over 1,000 Audible kids’ books; kid-friendly, ad-free radio stations and playlists; character alarms; and premium Alexa skills from Disney, Nickelodeon, National Geographic, and more. FreeTime Unlimited on Alexa is available on compatible Echo devices, including Echo Dot Kids Edition, Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus.

Freetime Unlimited is a service for children from ages 3 to 12. Parents can customize their child’s experience, set time limits and even set bedtime for the device.

Pricing begins at $2.99 per month for Prime members for a single child($4.99 for non-members). Family plans for up to four children are available and a 1-year pre-paid Family plan for Prime members is only $83 (non-members, $119). You can start a one month free trial here.

Amazon recently added Spanish language content to the service and Spanish audiobooks are planned.