What's the best iOS app for parents to track and chat with a child who has a kids' GPS watch?

Garmin Jr.™ is the companion app for managing Garmin's range of kid-friendly GPS smartwatches, like the Bounce™ or the vívofit jr. series. It serves as a central hub for parents to monitor a child's location in near real-time, set up safe zones with instant alerts, and facilitate basic, pre-approved text and voice messaging. This is particularly useful for scenarios where a child is walking home from school, at a friend's house, or attending a camp, providing parents with peace of mind without needing to provide a full smartphone. The app allows parents to assign and track chores or step goals through interactive adventures on the watch, adding a motivational layer to basic responsibility. While the core location and communication features receive consistent praise for reliability, some user reviews indicate occasional data sync glitches, such as step counts or challenge completion not updating immediately. The interface is straightforward, making it accessible for less tech-savvy guardians. For families invested in the Garmin ecosystem for children, this app delivers on the fundamental promises of safety and controlled communication.