How to set up parental controls on Google Play

When you put parental controls on an Android device, you can restrict what content can be downloaded or purchased from Google Play on that device based on maturity level. However, purchase approval settings will only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.

Set up parental controls

Important: Parental controls don't prevent restricted content as a search result or through a direct link.

For family members who manage their own accounts

How Google Play parental controls work

• Parental controls only apply to the Android device you added them on. To put parental controls on another device, repeat the steps below on the other devices.
• If you have multiple users on a device, you can set up different parental controls for each person.
• The person who sets up parental controls will create a PIN that needs to be entered to remove or change the parental controls.

Set up parental controls

1. Open the Google Play app .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Settings Family Parental controls.
4. Turn on Parental controls.
5. To protect parental controls, create a PIN your child doesn't know.
6. Select the type of content you want to filter.
7. Choose how to filter or restrict access.

 

For family members whose accounts are managed with Family Link

To go to this setting directly in the app, tap the button below:

Set up Google Play controls

If your child’s Google Account is managed with Family Link, you can set up parental controls for them.

How Google Play parental controls work

• Parental controls work on Android devices where your child is signed in to their Google Account.
• A parent in the family group needs to use their Google Account password to set up or change their child's parental control settings.

Set up parental controls

1. Open the Family Link app .
2. Select your child.
3. Tap Controls Content restrictions Google Play.
4. Tap the type of content you want to filter.
5. Choose how to filter or restrict access.

Tips:

• Whether or not your child can control their own account settings doesn't change the settings themselves. It’s recommended for parents to make sure the settings are correct after they change this control.
• You can also manage your child's account when you click on your child's name at g.co/YourFamily.

Fix possible parental control issues

If you have issues with your PIN, updates, or incorrect ratings show on your device, explore these options:

I forgot my PIN

Important: To reset your PIN, you have to clear your Play Store app settings. Before you follow these steps, you should note all your existing settings so you can set them up again.

If you forgot the PIN that you created when you set up parental controls, follow the instructions below to reset it.

1. On your device, open the Settings app .
2. Tap Apps & notifications.
3. Tap Google Play Store.
4. Tap Storage  Clear data or Clear storage.
5. This will reset your parental controls and your PIN.
6. When you go back into the Play Store app and add parental controls, you'll be able to set a new PIN.

My app or game won't open

If you've set up parental controls for apps and games and one of your apps isn't updating, it may be because the new version of the app has a higher rating than the version you have on your device.

If the new version of the app has a higher rating than your parental controls allow, you won't be prompted to update the app.

To get the app to update, you need to change your parental control settings to allow a higher rating.

Tip: You can turn off parental controls to update the app, then turn parental controls on again.

Content on my child’s device is outside the rating I set

You or your child will still be able to see any apps and games you downloaded before you added parental controls, even if they're outside of the rating you set. If your child’s account is supervised with Family Link, you can block these apps on their Android devices.

My subscription was canceled

Some apps and games are restricted based on the content rating because they target only users who are 18 and above or because app developers have chosen not to make them available to users under 18. This means app visibility and purchases, including subscription sign-ups, are limited to users who meet the age criteria. Developers may change their age criteria at any time and subscriptions are subject to cancellation if your account or developer settings change and no longer fit the criteria.

How parental controls work

You can set up parental controls for apps, games, and other digital content. Read the sections below to learn how parental controls work within each type of content.

Tip: Parental controls for each type of content aren't available in every country. If you travel to a country where they aren't available, they might not work until you get back home.

Set up parental controls for Apps & Games

You can restrict apps and games on an Android device by using parental controls, which lets you choose the highest content rating you want to allow for downloads or purchases.

However, you may still be able to see apps and games outside of your filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the app's page.

How parental controls for games work in Play Games

Parental controls don't change the games you see in the Play Games app, including games you've bought or recommended games.

If you try to install a game using the Play Games app, you’ll be taken to the Play Store app where your parental controls settings may restrict access.

Tip: You or your child will still be able to view any apps and games you downloaded before you added parental controls, even if they're outside of the rating you set. If your child’s account is supervised with Family Link, you can block these apps on their Android devices.

Set up parental controls for Movies

You can restrict movies on an Android device by using parental controls, which lets you choose the highest rating you want to allow for rental, purchase, or playback.

However, you may still be able to see movies outside of our filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the content's page.

If movies are restricted because of parental controls, you won't see them in the Play Store app or in the Google TV app, even if you've already rented or purchased them.

You can turn parental controls off to view these movies again.

Set up parental controls for TV

You can restrict TV shows on an Android device by using parental controls, which lets you choose the highest rating you want to allow for purchase or playback.

However, you may still be able to see TV shows outside of our filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the content's page.

If TV shows are restricted because of parental controls, you won't see them on the Play Store app or in the Google TV app, even if you've already purchased them.

You can turn Parental controls off to see these shows again.

Set up parental controls for Books

When you set up parental controls for books, you won't be able to read or purchase most sexually explicit books from the Play Store app and the Play Books app.

However, you may still be able to see books outside of our filter when you search, or by visiting them using a direct link to the content's page.

You can turn parental controls off to see these books again.

While setting up parental controls won't catch 100% of sexually explicit books in Google Play, it should help you avoid most adult content.