How to set up parental controls on Android with Google Family Link
Google Family Link is free, and it does most of what parents need. Set it up in about 20 minutes, then adjust the rules as your child grows.
Giving a child a phone is easier when you can set a few limits: how long they use it, which apps they can install and what content they can see. Android's main tool for this is Google Family Link, which is free and works on most Android phones. Samsung and other makers add their own options. This guide walks through the setup in order, explains each control in plain language and covers what the tools cannot do, because no setting replaces talking with your child.
What you need
- A parent Google Account, and a phone (Android or iPhone) with the Family Link app.
- The child's phone, with Android 7 or later for most features, and a Wi-Fi or mobile connection.
- A few minutes with your child, since you will sign in on their phone together.
- For a child under 13, a supervised Google Account that you create during setup, which needs your consent.
Step 1: install Family Link and create the family group
- 1
Install Google Family Link from the Play Store or App Store on your phone.
- 2
Open it and sign in with your Google Account.
- 3
Follow the prompts to create a family group.
You become the family manager. You can add another adult as a parent later.
- 4
Tap Add child, and choose to create an account for a child under 13, or to link an existing account.
Enter the child's name and birthday, and choose their email address.
- 5
Give consent and confirm your payment method for verification.
Google may ask for a small verification step as part of parental consent in the US.
Step 2: set up the child's phone
- 1
On the child's phone, sign in with the supervised account.
Use a new phone's setup screens, or go to Settings › Passwords & accounts › Add account › Google.
- 2
Follow the prompts and enter your parent password to approve.
Family Link may ask you to set the supervision from the parent phone.
- 3
Choose which apps to allow and whether to turn on location sharing.
You can change these later.
- 4
Check that supervision is on.
In the Family Link app on your phone, the child's name and device should show as active.
What you can control
The main controls
Screen time and bedtime
Set a daily limit, and set bedtime hours when the phone locks. You can also lock the device right now from your phone, or give bonus time.
App approvals and limits
Require approval before new apps install, block apps you do not want and set time limits for individual apps.
Google Play content filters
Choose the age rating of apps, games, movies and books your child can download. Require your approval for purchases.
Web and search filters
Turn on SafeSearch and use Chrome's filter to block mature sites, or allow only a list of sites you choose.
Location
See where the device is on a map, if you turn on location sharing, and get an alert when a child arrives or leaves a place.
YouTube
Choose a supervised experience that limits what your child can watch, based on age.
How to set screen time limits
- 1
Open the Family Link app and tap your child's name.
- 2
Tap Controls, then Daily limit.
Pick a number of hours for each day, or set different limits for weekdays and weekends.
- 3
Tap Bedtime and choose the hours the phone locks.
During bedtime, only calls and alarms work.
- 4
Review the weekly report.
It shows how much time your child spent in each app.
How to approve or block apps
In Family Link, open your child's profile and tap Controls, then Google Play. Turn on Approve all purchases or Approve all app downloads, and you get a request on your phone each time they try to install something. In the App activity section you can see which apps they use and for how long, and block any app by tapping it and choosing Block. Blocked apps vanish from the home screen. If your child buys something by accident in an app, read how to get a refund on Google Play.
Samsung and other brands
Samsung phones have Digital Wellbeing and parental controls in Settings, which link to Family Link and add screen time reports and app timers. Samsung Kids is a separate, child-friendly space with a limited set of apps, available on many Galaxy phones and tablets, and parents set a PIN to exit. Other brands offer similar kids modes. They are good for younger children who should only use a few apps, but older children usually outgrow them. For a simple way to keep a young child in one app, you can also pin the screen, see how to lock an Android screen for kids.
What parental controls cannot do
- They cannot show the content of messages or private conversations.
- They cannot block everything. A child can use a friend's phone, school computer or a second account.
- They do not replace talking. Children respond better to rules they understand.
- They can break after updates or a factory reset, so check the settings now and then.
- Teens can leave supervision at 13 in the US, so older children need trust, not just tools.
Tips for making controls work
- 1
Explain the rules before you turn them on.
Tell your child what you will see and why.
- 2
Start strict and relax with age.
It is easier to give more freedom than to take it back.
- 3
Review the weekly report together.
Use it to talk, not to catch them out.
- 4
Set a phone-free time, such as meals and bedtime.
Rules that apply to the whole family are easier to follow.
- 5
Teach them what to do about strangers and scams.
Tell them to come to you if something strange happens.
Setting up a plan and phone for a child
If you are about to buy a phone and a line, many carriers have kid-friendly plans and add-ons. See how to add a line to your phone plan. If your family also has iPhones, you can see where each child is with location sharing, read how to share location between Android and iPhone. If your child has an iPhone instead, see how to set up an iPhone for a child.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Family Link free?
Yes. The Family Link app is free from Google, and it works on Android and on iPhone for the parent.
What age is Family Link for?
It is built for children under 13, who need a supervised Google Account in the US. Teens can use it too, with their agreement, and at 13 they can choose to stop supervision.
Can my child get around parental controls?
Some children find ways, such as using a different device, a second account or a factory reset. Controls work best with an open talk about the rules, and with checks on the settings.
Can I see my child's messages with Family Link?
No. Family Link shows app use, screen time and location, but it does not show the content of messages or browsing in private modes.
What to try next
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