Your child calls. You answer.
This is the download page for the Shivnex Parent app — the free app your child's hostel uses to ring your phone for supervised video calls. Shared with you directly by your school. Works on any Android 7+ phone. Takes about two minutes to set up.
Android — direct download
Install the APK straight from us — no store account needed.
Free · ~60 MB · version 0.1.0 · also coming to Google Play
- 1Download the APK. Tap the green Download APK button (at the top of this page), using Chrome. Android may show a "Downloaded file may be harmful" notice — that's routine for any file outside the Play Store. Tap Download anyway.
- 2Open the downloaded file. Tap the Shivnex notification, or open it from your Files app.
- 3Allow installs from Chrome. Android will ask permission to install from Chrome. Tap Settings, then turn on Allow from this source. This is a one-time, app-specific permission — it doesn't change any other security setting on your phone.
iOS — App Store
iPhone and iPad support is on its way, but it isn't ready to download yet. Shivnex Parent for iOS is going through Apple's review process, and Apple doesn't allow installing an app outside the App Store the way Android does — there's no workaround for that. The nearest thing available today is TestFlight, Apple's official beta program: a real install, just ahead of the public release, rolling out to pilot schools first.
Want early access? Ask your school to contact us, or write to shivnexsolutions@gmail.com and we'll add you to the list. The moment there's a public TestFlight or App Store link, it will appear on this page.
Installing on Android, in full
The same steps as above, with a bit more detail. If your phone shows something different, check the phone-specific help below.
- 1
Download the APK
Tap the green Download APK button (at the top of this page), using Chrome. Android may show a "Downloaded file may be harmful" notice — that's routine for any file outside the Play Store. Tap Download anyway.
- 2
Open the downloaded file
Tap the Shivnex notification, or open it from your Files app.
- 3
Allow installs from Chrome
Android will ask permission to install from Chrome. Tap Settings, then turn on Allow from this source. This is a one-time, app-specific permission — it doesn't change any other security setting on your phone.
- 4
Go back and open the file again
Return to the download and tap it once more to continue.
- 5
Let Play Protect scan it
Google Play Protect checks the app automatically — every phone with Google Play Services does this, even outside the Play Store. If you see "More details," tap that, then Install anyway. You may need to confirm with your PIN or fingerprint on the way through.
- 6
Tap Install, then open the app
Confirm the install prompt, then open Shivnex and sign in with the email or phone number your school has on file.
Stuck partway through? Message us on WhatsApp
Find your phone's brand
Some phone brands add their own extra security step. If Step 3 above didn't work, find your phone here.
Xiaomi runs its own security scan on top of Android's, and can block the install with no error message. If the permission screen never appears, try these.
- 1Download the APK in Chrome and tap the file to open it.
- 2If it says "Install blocked," tap Settings — this opens Settings > Apps > Chrome > Install unknown apps. Turn on Allow from this source.
- 3MIUI's Security app may show "This app has not been verified." Tap Install anyway — that's Xiaomi's own scan, separate from Google's.
- 4Still nothing? Turn on Developer Options: Settings > About phone, tap the version number 7 times. Then in Developer options, turn on Install via USB — this unlocks a stuck installer on some Xiaomi phones.
- 5Still stuck: turn off MIUI Optimization in Developer options, restart your phone, and try again.
Newer Galaxy phones add a feature called Auto Blocker, on by default. The usual install-permission toggle isn't enough here.
- 1Download the APK in Chrome and tap the file.
- 2Tap Settings when prompted, then turn on Allow from this source for Chrome — or just search "Install unknown apps" in Settings.
- 3Still blocked? Go to Settings > Security and privacy > Auto Blocker and turn it off. Confirm with your fingerprint, PIN or pattern.
- 4Try installing again. You can turn Auto Blocker back on afterward — it won't affect an app you've already installed.
The setting you need moves around by model, so searching for it is faster than hunting through menus.
- 1Download the APK in Chrome and tap the file.
- 2When Vivo blocks the install, open Settings and search "Install unknown apps." Select Chrome and turn it on.
- 3You may see a warning that this "may put your phone at risk." Tap I know the risks to continue.
- 4Return to the download and tap it again to finish.
This setting has moved around in different ColorOS versions, so searching for it in Settings is the most reliable way to find it.
- 1Download the APK in Chrome and tap the file.
- 2When blocked, open Settings and search "unknown apps." Select Chrome and turn on Allow from this source.
- 3Return to the download and tap it again to install.
- 4If the option is greyed out, turn on Developer options first: Settings > About device, tap the Version number 7 times. Then try again.
Shivnex isn't on the Play Store yet, and that's worth noticing — so here's why this download is trustworthy anyway. This link comes from your child's school, not from searching the internet; it's the same trust you already place in the hostel. The app carries no ads and no tracking, and asks for nothing beyond the camera, microphone and notifications a call needs. Every guardian who can call in is approved by the school first — there's no public sign-up. Data is handled under India's DPDP Act: kept isolated to your child's school, calls aren't recorded by default, and you can request erasure. This direct download is a bridge — Shivnex is moving to the Play Store, and this page will link there the moment that's live.
Before you install
That instinct is a good one — this is the same download method scammers use, which is exactly why it's worth double-checking. This link comes from your child's school, it only ever lives at this page on skandev.in, and you can call the hostel office to confirm it independently. Shivnex is also on its way to Google Play — this direct download is a bridge until then.
No. Shivnex only asks for your camera and microphone, needed for the video call, plus notifications so your phone can ring when your child calls. It never asks for contacts, SMS, photos, call logs, or access to any other app — including anything financial.
It's in the middle of Google's listing and review process now. Until that's done, your school is sharing the app directly so families aren't left waiting to start calling. This page will switch to a Play Store link the moment that listing goes live — nothing about how you sign in or use the app will change.
No. Shivnex Parent has no payment screen and never asks for a card, UPI ID or bank details. Any billing your hostel does is handled separately, through its own usual channels — never inside this app.
Android shows that for any app installed outside the Play Store — it's not specific to Shivnex. It usually says "unknown to Play Protect" or asks you to allow installs from this source. Tap Settings, allow it for Chrome, then continue installing as the steps above show.
No. This permission is app-specific and one-time — it only lets Chrome install this one file, and doesn't turn off any other protection on your phone.
Use the email or phone number your school has on file for you. You'll get a one-time code by WhatsApp, SMS or email — enter it, and you're signed in. No password to create or remember.
Check Settings > Apps > Shivnex Parent > version on your phone. If you're ever unsure, uninstall and download fresh from this exact page — Shivnex is only ever linked from skandev.in/download — or message us and we'll help you check.