Manage your child's screen time

When you create a Google Account for your child with Family Link, you can set screen time limits on their Android device or Chromebook. You can set your child's Android device or Chromebook to lock after they've used it for a certain amount of time or when you think they need downtime.

Important: System apps can't have app limits placed on them. You can set limits for Android 7 and up devices.

How screen time limits work

Important: You can only change the clock on a child's device when you disable screen time limits.

When you set a limit for your child's screen time on their Android device or Chromebook, they'll get a notification when:

• Screen time is set for the first time (Android devices only).
• Their device is about to be locked.

When the device is locked, your child:

• Can't see notifications.
• Can't unlock the device or use any apps - except for apps designated as Unlimited time apps when you have Unlimited time apps enabled.
• Can answer phone calls, and tap Emergency to make a call if the device has a calling plan (Android phones only).

Tip: Time limits will apply to apps installed on all of your child's Android and Chrome OS devices.

Set screen time limits

To go to the child's account settings that you last visited in the Family Link app, tap the button below:

Change daily limits

Set up daily time limits for the first time

1. Open the Family Link app .
2. At the top left, select your child.
3. At the bottom left, tap Screen time Time limits.
4. Turn on Daily limit.
5. Tap Weekly schedule.
   • For first time set up, tap Edit each day.
6. Select a day.
7. Enter how much screen time the device is limited to.
8. To apply limits on all days of the week, tap Apply to all days of the week Done.

Tip: To turn off screen time limit for a specific day, select a day and turn off Daily limit ON.

Edit the weekly limit schedule with a parent’s device

1. On your device, open Family Link .
2. At the top left, select your child.
3. At the bottom left, tap Screen time Time limits Weekly schedule.
   • For first time set up, tap Edit each day.
4. Select a day.
5. Enter how much screen time the device is limited to.
6. To apply limits on all days of the week, tap Apply to all days of the week Done.

Tip: You can edit the weekly schedule and change the limit on any selected day.

Set a daily time limit with your child's device

1. On your child's device, open Settings .
   • On Android versions 8.1 (O) and later, tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
   • On other Android versions:
     1. Tap Google All services.
     2. Under “Kids & family,” tap Parental controls.
2. To view the current settings, tap Daily limit.
3. To edit Daily limit settings, sign in or use your Parent Access Code to verify that you're a parent.

Tip: Daily limits apply to each Android device or Chromebook your child uses. For example, if you set a daily limit of 2 hours, your child would get 2 hours of time on each device.

Update or turn off screen time limits 

Lock or unlock your child's Android device or Chromebook

1. Open the Family Link app .
2. At the top left, select your child.
3. Tap Controls Signed in devices Lock screen settings.
4. At the top, tap your child’s device Lock or Unlock.

Tip: You can also use your Family Link parent access code to unlock your child's Android device or Chromebook if it isn't connected to the Internet.

Disable screen time limits

You can disable screen time limits from the Family Link app on your device.

1. Open the Family Link app .
2. At the top left, select your child.
3. At the bottom left, tap Screen time Time limits.
4. Turn off Daily Limit.

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.

Give your child bonus time

You can let your child spend more time on their device for the day without changing their daily limit or downtime, school time schedule. You can add bonus time while your child’s Android device is locked or soon to be locked.

1. Open the Family Link app .
2. At the top left, select your child.
3. At the bottom left, tap Screen time .
4. Below your child’s device name, tap Bonus time .
5. Set the amount of bonus time.
   • To increase bonus time, select .
   • To decrease the bonus time, select .
   • To set a specific time, tap the number.
6. Tap Done.

Tip: To give more bonus time or remove the bonus time, tap Bonus time again.

Allow your child to change the date & time on their device

1. On your device, open the Family Link app .
2. Select your child.
3. At the bottom center, tap Controls Signed-in devices.
4. Select your child's device.
5. Turn on Edit date & time.
6. Tap Ok.

Tip: You can set this up for each device.

Related resources

• Set a schedule on your child’s device
• Set app time limits on your child’s device