Set up parental controls for your child

Limit what apps your child can use on certain devices and manage other key settings with Google parental controls.

Use the Google Family Link app

You can use the Family Link App to create a Google Account for your child under 13 (or the applicable age in your country). You can also use Family Link to add supervision to your child's existing Google Account.

Important:

Family Link may not be available in all countries or regions.
iPhones, iPads, and computers other than Chromebooks can't be supervised with Family Link.
Google Workspace for Education accounts can't be managed by Family Link.
Family Link’s purchase approval settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.

How account management works

Important: To find your child's Android and compatible Fitbit device location or remotely manage their screen time and apps, you need the Family Link app.

As a parent, you can use Family Link to do things like:

Change some of your child's Google Account settings.
Manage your child's apps on supervised devices: Decide which apps your child can download or purchase, block or allow apps, and change app permissions.
Manage your child's screen time on supervised devices: Set a bedtime or daily screen limits, and check how much time your child spends on certain apps.
Check the location of your child's Android or compatible Fitbit device.
Restrict mature content on Google Play.

Google services & your child's Google Account

If your child has a Google Account, they can use a variety of Google services. Keep in mind that these services generally aren’t designed for children.

Requirements

Manage your child's Google Account

To use Family Link to manage your child’s Google Account, you need to:

Have a Google Account. If you don’t have one you can create a Google Account at no charge.
Be 18 or older (or the appropriate age in your country) and have a Google Account.
Have an Android device (6.0+), iPhone or iPad (iOS 16+), or a Chromebook that supports Android Apps to download the Family Link app on. You can also manage some settings at familylink.google.com.
Live in the same country as your child.

Supervise your child’s device

To use Family Link to supervise your child’s device, the child needs to:

Have a Google Account.
Have an Android device (6.0+), a Chromebook (running Chrome OS 71 or higher), or a compatible Fitbit device. Learn how to update your Android or Chrome OS version.

Set content restrictions on Google Play

You can choose what can be downloaded based on content restrictions.

When you set up content restrictions 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 content restrictions

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

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

Open the Family Link app .
At the top left, select your child.
Tap Controls Google Play.
Tap the type of content you want to filter.
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 these settings from g.co/YourFamily.

How content restrictions work

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

Tip: Content restrictions 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 content restrictions 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 find 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 find 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 content restrictions, 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 content restrictions for Movies

You can restrict movies on an Android device by using content restrictions, 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 content restrictions, 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 content restrictions off to view these movies again.

Set up content restrictions for TV

You can restrict TV shows on an Android device by using content restrictions, 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 content restrictions, 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 content restrictions off to make these shows available again.

Set up content restrictions for Books

When you set up content restrictions 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 content restrictions off to see these books again.

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

Restrict access to apps from the Digital Wellbeing app

Set up App time limits

Important: Some work and school accounts might not work with app timers.

Open your device's Settings app.
Tap Digital Wellbeing App timers.
Next to the app you want to limit, tap Set timer .
Choose how much time you can spend in that app.
Tap OK.