Linked devices and family protection
Link trusted devices to view shared security summaries and recent alerts. Compatible Argus Windows clients can participate in device sharing, but available features differ by platform and version. Website filtering is not supported on every linked client.
Only link people and devices you trust. The approval screen explains that a linked device can view family summaries and invite other devices.
Pair two devices
Compare the six-digit code on both devices before confirming. If they differ, choose Decline and start again.
Do not post pairing QR codes in public chats or support screenshots.
Both devices need an internet connection and a signed-in Argus account. A device already in a family can invite others, but cannot scan an invitation to join a second family at the same time.
- On the inviting device, open menu > Link a device, or Family > Link a device.
- Tap Link a device > Show QR code. Keep the screen open and watch its expiry countdown.
- On the joining phone, open Link a device > Scan with camera.
- Allow Camera permission if requested, then scan the invitation shown on the trusted device.
- Compare the six-digit code on both devices and confirm the device name.
- On the inviting device, tap Codes match · Link only if the codes match and you intended this pairing.
- Wait for the linked-device list to update on both devices.
If codes differ or the request is unexpected, choose Decline. Cancel the invitation and start again.
For Windows-to-Android pairing, display the invitation in the compatible Windows client and scan it with the Android phone. Follow the available confirmation prompts on both devices.
View device status
Use View linked devices for a quick overview. On the linked-devices page, tap a device and choose View device details.
Depending on the information available, details include the platform, security status, recent flagged items, and a seven-day activity chart. These are shared summaries, not a complete record of everything on the other device.
Check Last shared and any Fresh or Sync Stale label. A secure status describes the latest available summary; it does not prove the other device is currently online or fully protected. An unknown status means there is not enough information to draw a conclusion.
What the family can see
Shared information can include:
- Device name, platform, security status, and update time.
- App names and identifiers, scan results, alert times, and explanations.
- File-location details associated with some app findings.
- Recent activity counts, charts, and protection-related events.
- Website-filtering enrollment and policy status.
- Flagged-email summaries, if you enable the separate sharing option.
Do not link a device on the assumption that only a green or red status icon will be shared.
Flagged-email sharing
On the linked-devices page, use Share flagged email subjects and senders to control whether this phone publishes flagged-email summaries. It is off by default.
When enabled, summaries can include sender, subject, date, and risk status. Email bodies and attachments are not part of the family email summary. Sender addresses and subject lines can still reveal sensitive information.
Turning sharing off does not erase screenshots, exported material, or information someone has already seen. See privacy and permissions.
Rename or disconnect a device
To rename this phone, tap its device entry, select Rename device, enter a recognisable name, and save.
To leave the family, use Disconnect this device and confirm. Wait for confirmation: the phone should stop sharing and lose family access. Other devices remain connected.
The family owner can use Remove device for another device. If an action is unavailable or refused, check the owner account and the message shown. Removing a device from the family does not uninstall Argus from it or delete its account.
If you intend to stop family sharing, use the disconnect action rather than treating logout as permanent unlinking. Membership may be recovered when you sign in again.
Family website controls
The family owner can open a device's actions and select Manage website policy.
The policy applies to all enrolled family devices, even when opened from one device's menu. It is not a separate rule set for that one device.
- Select Manage domains > Add domain.
- Enter a website domain such as example.com, then add it.
- Enable the policy with Enable policy if it is off.
- Allow time for supported, enrolled devices to receive the change.
- Review the policy state on each relevant device.
To remove a restriction, use Manage domains > Remove domain and choose the domain. Disable policy turns off the family policy.
Where offered for your own device, Enroll in website filtering requires VPN approval. Stop website filtering removes that device's enrollment. If an enrollment control is unavailable, do not assume the device is filtered simply because it is linked.
Read the policy state
| State | Meaning and next step |
|---|---|
| APPLIED / RECEIVED | The device has acknowledged the current policy. Also check that its network protection is running. |
| PENDING | The device has not yet acknowledged the current policy. Connect it, open Argus, and refresh. |
| STALE | Recent device updates are missing. Check connectivity and protection on that device. |
| NOT ENROLLED | Linking alone has not enabled website filtering for this device. |
| DISABLED | The family policy is turned off. |
| UNSUPPORTED | The device or client version cannot apply this policy. Windows and older clients may show this state. |
Website filtering is not a guarantee that every route to unwanted content is blocked. Network protection, supported clients, enrollment, and current policy updates all matter.
Linking and sync troubleshooting
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Camera access is denied | Open Android app permissions for Argus and allow Camera, then retry. A phone without camera access can still show an invitation for another phone to scan. |
| QR code will not scan | Clean the lens, reduce screen glare, increase screen brightness, and adjust distance until the whole code is clear. |
| Invitation expired or linking was declined | Generate a fresh invitation and repeat the comparison and approval. |
| Already in a family | Use Show QR code to invite another device, or disconnect before joining a different family. |
| Pairing remains pending | Keep both devices online and check the inviting device for its approval dialog. Cancel and retry with a fresh code if necessary. |
| A device is stale or missing updates | Open Argus on that device, check sign-in and internet access, then refresh the family list. Check the Last shared time again. |
| A device unexpectedly disconnected | Ask the family owner whether it was removed. Check the signed-in account before attempting a new pairing. |
| Reinstall did not restore membership | Sign in to the intended account, connect to the internet, and reopen linked devices. If it remains missing, contact support or pair again with the owner's help. |