About Family Space
I’ve had this app on my Samsung Galaxy for just over a year now. I saw it had a decent rating in the store and figured, as a mom trying to keep track of two kids and a husband who works odd hours, I’d give it a shot. We needed one place for everything—soccer games, doctor appointments, grocery lists, the works. Family Space promised to be that hub. After using it for this long, I can say it does help, but it’s not the smooth, reliable solution I was hoping for. It feels like a tool that’s almost there but hasn’t been polished enough, which explains that middle-of-the-road 3.6 star rating.
Core Features
The main things we use are the shared calendar and the lists. The calendar is the heart of it. I can put in my daughter’s piano lesson every Thursday at 4 PM and color-code it purple so everyone knows it’s her thing. My husband can add his late shifts in blue. That visual layout is a lifesaver for a quick morning check. The to-do lists are simple, which is good. We have a “Weekend Chores” list that actually gets things done because everyone can see their assigned task. There’s also location sharing, which I only turn on when my son is walking home from a friend’s house, and a way to approve apps on the kids’ devices. The messaging part is basically useless though; it’s so plain that we just switched back to our regular text group chat.
Real-World Use
Our real test was last month’s family reunion. I made a list called “Reunion Prep” with items like “Buy paper plates” and “Confirm Aunt Linda’s arrival time.” Watching my husband check off “Fill coolers” gave me a little peace of mind. But then the app showed its flaws. I added “Pick up cake at 2 PM Saturday” to the calendar. My husband never got the notification. He was running other errands and completely missed it. I had to call him at 1:45 in a panic. The cake was fine, but my stress level wasn’t. For an app built to prevent exactly that kind of mix-up, it failed us at a crucial moment. The interface also feels slow sometimes, like it takes an extra tap to get where you want to go.
Pricing & Value
It’s free. You can’t beat that price. For zero dollars, you get a functional family calendar, some basic lists, and those parental controls for kids’ apps. If you already have Motorola phones, it’s a no-brainer to try. I wouldn’t tell someone to go buy a new phone just for this app, though. You get what you pay for, and sometimes the little bugs and the outdated look make you feel like you’re using a free app. It’s useful, but it doesn’t feel premium or incredibly reliable.
Updates & Support
I’ve never had to contact support myself, thankfully. The app has updated a few times in the year I’ve had it. I don’t notice huge changes after an update, maybe a slight speed improvement that fades. Reading other reviews in the store, it seems like some people have had real sync problems and mixed experiences getting help. That makes me hesitant to rely on it for anything super critical. I keep hoping the next update will smooth things out, but so far, the core issues seem to stick around.
Data & Privacy
This is a big one for me as a parent. The app collects location data, calendar info, and obviously the content of your lists and messages. It’s from Motorola, which is a known company, so that gives me some comfort. The privacy policy is long and legal, like they all are. I made sure to go into the settings and limit location sharing to only when the app is in use. Knowing I can approve my kids’ app downloads from my own phone is a privacy plus, as I don’t have to snoop on his device physically. I wish it felt a bit more transparent about how data is used, but I’m cautiously okay with it for now.
What are the main features of Family Space?
Family Space offers a shared color-coded calendar, to-do lists with assigned tasks, location sharing, and app approval for kids' devices. The calendar and lists are the most useful for keeping everyone on the same page, while the messaging feature is too basic to replace a regular group chat.
Can I use Family Space to share shopping lists with my family?
Yes, you can create shared to-do lists like a grocery list or a reunion prep list, and family members can check off items as they're done. It's a simple but effective way to track tasks, though you'll need to rely on the app's notifications to stay updated.
Why are my Family Space calendar notifications not showing up?
This is a common issue where notifications can be unreliable, especially for events you add to the calendar. To fix it, make sure the app has permission to send notifications in your phone settings, and try restarting the app or your device to refresh the sync.
How do I fix the app when it fails to alert family members about a calendar event?
If a family member misses a notification, first check that everyone has the same version of the app and that notifications are enabled for all users. You can also manually remind them through a text or by setting a separate alarm in your phone's clock app as a backup.
How does Family Space compare to Cozi for family organization?
Both apps offer shared calendars and lists, but Cozi tends to have more reliable notifications and a cleaner interface, while Family Space includes location sharing and app approval features. Family Space is a decent budget option, but if notification reliability is key, Cozi might be a better fit.
