Google Family Link is Google’s free parental control app. Install Family Link on your own phone, open it, select your child’s profile at the top left, tap Add child and follow the steps. That creates a supervised Google Account for a child under 13.
If your child already has an account, open Settings → Google → All services → Parental controls on their Android phone, tap Let’s do this and follow the prompts. Your child has to agree. Then set screen time, app approvals and location from the app.
Handing a kid their first phone is a big step. Family Link lets you approve apps, set daily limits and bedtimes, and see where their Android phone is, without buying anything extra. Below are the setup paths Google offers, the settings worth turning on first, and the limits you should know about. It’s part of our Google guides.
What Google Family Link can and can’t do
According to Google, a parent using Family Link can:
- Decide which apps your child can download or buy, block or allow apps, and change app permissions.
- Set a bedtime or daily screen time limits, and see how much time your child spends in certain apps.
- Check the location of your child’s Android phone or compatible Fitbit.
- Restrict mature content on Google Play, and block or allow sites in Chrome.
- Change some of your child’s Google Account settings.
It also has clear limits. Google says parents can’t see their child’s past searches or Chrome browsing history through Family Link. And it only supervises certain devices.
| Device | Can a parent use it to manage? | Can a child’s device be supervised? |
|---|---|---|
| Android phone or tablet (6.0+) | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone or iPad (iOS 16+) | Yes, with the Family Link app | No |
| Chromebook | Yes | Yes (ChromeOS 71 or later) |
| Windows PC or Mac | Some settings at familylink.google.com | No |
| Compatible Fitbit | No | Yes |
Before you start
- You have your own Google Account and you’re 18 or older (or the age of majority where you live).
- You and your child live in the same country, and Family Link is available there.
- Your phone runs Android 6.0 or later, or iOS 16 or later, and has the Family Link app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Your child’s phone runs Android 6.0 or later and is charged and online.
- Your child’s account isn’t a school Google Workspace for Education account. Google says those can’t be managed with Family Link.
Google may place a temporary authorization on a credit card to confirm you’re an adult. Google says it isn’t a charge and is usually removed within 48 hours.
Option 1: Create a new account for a child under 13
Use this if your child doesn’t have a Google Account yet. In the US, Google lets parents create accounts for children under 13 this way.
From the Family Link app on your phone
- Open the Family Link app.
- At the top left, select your child’s profile, then tap Add child. (If you haven’t added anyone yet, the app guides you to this step.)
- Follow the on-screen steps to enter your child’s name, birthday and new email address and password.
- Give parental consent when asked, then choose your child’s starting settings.
Need a strong first password your child can actually remember? Our password generator can make a readable one.
While setting up a brand-new Android phone
- Turn on the new phone and follow the setup screens.
- When asked to sign in with a Google Account, tap Create account. If you don’t see it, tap More options → For my child.
- Enter your child’s name, birthday, gender, email address and password.
- Sign in with your own Google Account when asked, give parental consent and pick your child’s settings.
Setting up the phone for the first time? Our guide to setting up a new Android phone covers the rest of the setup screens.
Option 2: Add supervision to an existing account
Use this when your child already has a Google Account, such as a teenager who’s had Gmail for a while. Your child must agree, because Google requires their consent.
On your child’s Android phone
- Open Settings and tap Google → All services.
- Under Kids & Family, tap Parental controls.
- Tap Let’s do this at the bottom right.
- Choose the account to supervise and follow the steps. You’ll sign in with your own account, and your child confirms they agree.
From your Family Link app
Open Family Link, select your child’s profile at the top left, then tap Controls → Account Settings → About supervision and follow the on-screen steps.
On a Chromebook
Open Settings. Under Accounts, next to Parental controls, click Set up, then follow the steps. Your child will need to give consent during setup.
The first settings to turn on
Once the accounts are linked, open Family Link and pick your child. You don’t need to lock down everything on day one. Start with these and adjust as you see how it goes.
- App approvals. Require approval for new downloads and purchases on Google Play so you see what gets installed.
- Daily limit and bedtime. Set a daily screen time limit and a bedtime schedule. You can lock the phone at bedtime and give bonus time when you choose.
- Content ratings. Restrict mature apps, games and movies on Google Play to an age that suits your child.
- Chrome sites. Block or allow specific websites in Chrome.
- Location. Turn on location sharing for your child’s Android phone so you can see it on a map.
Talk it through with your child first. Google’s setup requires their agreement for existing accounts, and kids are less likely to look for workarounds when they understand why the limits are there.
If Google Family Link setup doesn’t work
- “This account can’t be supervised.” School accounts (Google Workspace for Education) aren’t supported. Use a personal Google Account instead.
- Your child has an iPhone. Family Link can’t supervise iPhones or iPads. Use Apple’s built-in Screen Time instead.
- Parental controls isn’t in Settings. Make sure the phone runs Android 6.0 or later and Google Play services is updated. Menu names can differ slightly on Samsung Galaxy phones, so try searching Settings for “Parental controls”.
- Different countries. Parent and child must live in the same country, and Family Link isn’t offered everywhere.
- Old accounts on the phone. When creating a new child account on a used phone, Google suggests removing existing accounts and data from it first.
Worried something on your child’s phone isn’t right, like strange apps or pop-ups? Our guide on how to tell if a phone has been hacked walks through the checks. You’ll find more phone guides on our Android hub.
Related guide: How to Set Up Parental Controls on Your Kid’s iPhone (Screen Time Guide).
FAQ
Is Family Link free?
Yes. The app and its controls are free from Google. Google may place a temporary card authorization to confirm you’re an adult, which it says is usually removed within 48 hours.
Can I use Family Link on an iPhone?
As a parent, yes. You can manage your child from the Family Link app on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later. But a child’s iPhone or iPad can’t be supervised with Family Link.
Can my child turn off Family Link?
Google says a child under 18 needs a parent’s approval to stop supervision.
Can I see my child’s search history with Family Link?
No. Google says parents can’t see their child’s past searches or Chrome browsing history through Family Link. You can block or allow sites in Chrome.
Does Family Link work on a Samsung Galaxy?
Yes. It works on Android phones running Android 6.0 or later, including Galaxy phones. Some Settings menu names may look slightly different on Samsung’s One UI.
