11 guides

Yoto, explained

Everything we've worked out about Yoto, written down so you don't have to work it out too.

We're Liza and Denis, parents of one Yoto-obsessed girl and geeks about it in the way you'd expect. Liza builds the tools, Denis writes about what goes on the cards. Every guide here comes out of our own player, our own cards and our own mistakes.

Start hereGuide

Just got a Yoto? Setup, Wi-Fi fixes and what to do first

How to set up a new Yoto Player or Mini, what to do when the Wi-Fi doesn't connect, and what to do first once it works.

Liza·Builds the tools·6 min read

Pixel art of a present wrapped in Christmas paper with a red bow and a gift tag, with orange headphones and a blue card case behind it on a table

Yoto labels: card size and a free printable template
Guide
Yoto cards are 54 × 85.6 mm (2.13 × 3.37 in). The label size that fits, free A4 and Letter templates, Avery and Canva sizes, and sticker paper that works.
Liza·Builds the tools·5 min read
Yoto bundles and gift sets: are they worth buying?
Comparison
Yoto bundles may look like a deal, but against the same parts on sale they save about 10%, and sometimes nothing at all.
Liza·Builds the tools·4 min read
Yoto Player 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: what's new, worth it?
Comparison
Yoto Player 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: the Green Button, 64GB, a full-panel nightlight and higher prices. What actually changed, and whether it's worth the upgrade.
Liza·Builds the tools·5 min read
Custom Yoto labels for MYO cards: what works, what rubs off
Guide
Make custom Yoto labels for MYO cards that survive small hands: the printable sticker sheets we use, how we lay them out, and what rubbed off first.
Denis·Writes about content and art·8 min read
Yoto Player vs Yoto Mini: which we bought, and why
Comparison
Yoto Player vs Yoto Mini, compared on Yoto's own current figures - and what actually decided it for us. We bought the Mini at not-quite-two and the Player for her third birthday.
Denis·Writes about content and art·4 min read
How to Make Yoto Icons: 3 Ways, Plus Free Downloads
Guide
Make custom 16×16 icons for Yoto Make Your Own cards: draw one, download a free one, or generate one. What each takes, and which is worth your evening.
Liza·Builds the tools·8 min read
How do Make Your Own cards actually work?
Explainer
The card is basically a bookmark, and everything else lives online. Once that clicks, a lot of confusing Yoto behaviour makes sense.
Denis·Writes about content and art·6 min read
Yes, Yoto icons can be animated
Guide
Little looping animations work on the player, and they delight small children. I know it wasn't the point, but it's too cool to pass up.
Liza·Builds the tools·4 min read
Yoto icon size: 16×16 pixels, PNG or GIF
Troubleshooting
Yoto icons are exactly 16×16 - PNG for still, GIF for animated, 32-bit RGBA. The full spec, why shrinking a photo turns it to mud, and what I got wrong.
Liza·Builds the tools·5 min read
Yoto vs Toniebox: an honest comparison
Comparison
Yoto vs Toniebox, decided by your child's age rather than the spec sheet. What each one does better, and where Tonies and MYO cards really diverge.
Denis·Writes about content and art·9 min read