Making Calls

  • How do I call another Tin Can?

    Dial your friend’s Tin Can number (typically 4-7 digits). Remember that both numbers need to be on the approved contacts list for the calls to go through. 

  • How do I add contacts to my phone?

    To add a Tin Can contact

    • In the app: Select your Tin Can → Contacts → + → Add a Tin Can → enter the 4-7 digit Tin Can number → search → Add
    • Both Tin Cans must approve the connection for calls to work

    Adding external contacts

    • Calling external contacts requires the Party Line Subscription
    • If you’re on Can 2 Can plan, your phone won’t be able to call external numbersIn the app: Select your Tin Can → Contacts → + → Add external contact → search → Add

    Trouble adding contacts? 

    • Ensure that the Tin Can app has Contacts access enabled in the Privacy Settings on your phone
    • If the permissions are limited or off, this is usually the issue. Enable permissions, force close the app, reopen it, and try again

     

  • How do I add numbers to speed dial?

    Tin Can Phone

     Tin CanT 

    • Open the Tin Can app 
    • Contacts → Select Contact → “Add to speed dial” → Select an icon → Save 

    Flashback Phone

    • Save numbers with Speed Dial—up to 10 numbers in memory spots 0–9!
    • To Add a Number to Speed Dial:
    • Pick up the phone
    • Press [PROG/MUTE]
    • Press [MEM]
    • Pick a memory slot: press 0–9
    • Enter the phone number (you’ll hear a click with each press)
    • Press [PROG/MUTE] again
    • Hang up!

     

  • How do I call a number set to speed dial?

    Tin Can Phone

    • Pick up the Tin Can and tap the Speed Dial icon on the phone (set up in the app)
    • Talk to one of your favorite people!

    Flashback Phone

    • Pick up the phone and listen for the dial tone
    • Press [MEM]
    • Press the memory number (0–9)
    • Yay! It’s calling your favorite person.
  • My kids can’t dial quickly enough – the phone doesn’t register the numbers.

    Tin Can works best with quick, confident dialing. If there’s a long pause between numbers (more than a few seconds), the phone may stop registering the digits. Most kids get the hang of it with a little practice.

  • I can’t call my kid’s Tin Can from my cell phone.

    This usually means the calling number isn’t on the approved contacts list (or there’s a digit mismatch). Please double-check the contact in the app and try again. If it’s still not working, email us at support@tincan.kids and we’ll help get it sorted.

  • How do I turn up the volume?

     

    Tin Can Phone

    Press and hold the Tinothy (big smiley face) button then simultaneously press the volume (+) up button.

    Flashback Phone

    Slide the “RINGER” switch all the way to the right to the "HI" position. The wheel on the side of the handset labeled "LOUD" actually controls the volume of the voice you hear during a call.

  • How do I set up voicemail?

     

    Tin Can Phone

    Press the Tinothy (big smiley face) button once to call your voicemail and listen to the menu. You will be able to set or change the greeting by pressing 2 from the menu options.

    If your custom greeting sounds a little crackly, that’s a known issue the team is actively working on.

     Flashback Phone

    Dial *97 from the handset to hear your voicemail messages. After dialing, press 0 to open the setup menu. Follow the voice prompts to record your own greeting and adjust settings.

     

  • How do I check voicemail?

    Tin Can Phone

     Tin Can 

    Press the big smiley-face-looking button (also known as the Tinothy button) on the phone.

    Flashback Phone

    Dial *97 from the handset to hear your voicemail messages.

     

  • How do I do a 3-way call on my phone?

     

    Tin Can Phone

    It’s not available just yet, but it’s on our roadmap and something we’re excited to bring to Tin Can.

    Flashback Phone

    • Call your first friend
    • Press [FLASH] to put them on hold
    • Dial your second friend
    • When they answer, press [FLASH] again
    • Boom! Now you're all on the same call!

     

  • When I call someone from my Tin Can my caller ID name doesn’t come up.

     

    Your Tin Can name is just used on the device and isn’t shared with phone carriers, so it may not show up when you call. We recommend asking friends and family to save your number so they’ll recognize your calls.

     

  • The buttons on my Tin Can phone aren’t working properly.

    Tin Can Phone

    If button presses don’t register reliably:

    • Unplug the Tin Can, wait ~10 seconds, plug it back in
    • Try moving it closer to the router temporarily
    • If it’s still happening, contact Tin Can Support and tell us which button(s) are affected and when it happens—we’ll help troubleshoot next steps
  • How do I end the call?

    Just like the old days – you just put the receiver back on the base. 

  • World Soccer Hotline (July 2026)

    What is the World Soccer Hotline?

    It’s a number that anyone with a Tin Can (with any plan type) can dial to get the latest information on what’s going on in the World Cup. You’ll be able to hear live scores, tournament schedules, match recaps, and kid-driven commentary, just by dialing in.

    How can you access the World Soccer Hotline?

    Dial *96753 (*WORLD) from your Tin Can! 

    Does it cost any money? Can I still access it with the free Can 2 Can Plan?

    It’s free and available to anyone with an active Tin Can account/subscription, including the free Can 2 Can plan! 

    When does it launch? When does it end?

    It launches at 11am PT on the first day of the Quarter Finals (July 9th) and closes at midnight PT the night of the final game (July 19th).

    Is it a live broadcast?

    Sort of! We’ll have pre-recorded segments, courtesy of some marvelous Tin Can kids who’ll be our very first Can Casters. But scores and standings will be live, delivered via a robo-voice.

    Is it AI?

    Nope! We use one of those classic robo telephone voices for any automated part of it.

    Do I have to add it as an approved number?

    No, anyone with a Tin Can can call in without adding it as an approved number. 

    Will my kid be able to call it during quiet hours or do not disturb?

    Nope! Quiet Hours and Do Not Disturb are still respected.

    What if I don’t want my kid to be able to access it at all?

    Reach out to support@tincan.kids and we will put in a manual block for you. 

    Can families without Tin Can dial into the hotline?

    No, sorry, this one’s just for Tin Can users. 

    How often will the content be updated?

    Every game day will have new content.

    Why isn’t dialing *WORLD working? 

    If you’re having trouble accessing the hotline, reach out support@tincan.kids and we’ll get you sorted. 

  • My speed dial isn't working.

    Try removing your speed dial contact then re-adding them. If this doesn't work, please reach out to our support crew.