When you create a Google Account for your child using Family Link, you can set screen time limits on their Android device or Chromebook. That way, you can lock your child's Android device or Chromebook at bedtime, after they've used it for a certain amount of time, or when you think they need a break.
Tip:
- Time limits will apply to apps installed on all of your child's devices.
- System apps aren't supported by the app limit functionality. Limits can only be set for devices with Android N (7.0) and up and Chromebooks running on Chrome OS versions 83 and up.
How screen time limits work
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.
- Can answer phone calls, and tap Emergency to make a call if the device has a calling plan (Android phones only).
Set daily limits
Set time limits for apps your child uses
Change time limits for apps your child uses
Give your child bonus time
Set a bedtime
Lock or unlock your child's Android device or Chromebook
Disable screen time limits
With a parent's device
- Open the Family Link app
.
- Select your child.
- On the "Daily limit" card, tap Set up or Edit limits and follow the on-screen instructions.
With your child's device
- On your child's device, open Settings
.
- On Android versions 8.1 (O) and later, tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- On other Android versions, tap Google
Parental controls.
- To view the current settings, tap Daily limit.
- To edit Daily limit settings, sign in or use your Parent Access Code to verify that you are 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.
If your child's Android device is running Android N (7.0) and up, or Chromebook is running on Chrome OS versions 83 and up, you can set time limits on apps to manage how much time your child can spend on a specific app each day.
- Open the Family Link app
.
- Select your child.
- On the "Today's activity" card, tap Set limits.
- Next to your desired app, tap
Set limit
.
- Set a daily time limit for the app.
- Tap Set.
Tip:
- Time limits will apply to apps installed on all of your child's devices.
- System apps aren't supported by the app limit functionality. Limits can only be set for devices with Android N (7.0) and up and Chromebooks running on Chrome OS versions 83 and up.
To update a time limit on a specific application:
- Open the Family Link app
and select your child.
- On the "Today's activity" card, tap More.
- Next to your desired app, tap
Edit limit
.
- Change the time limit to your desired amount.
- To remove a limit, tap Delete limit.
- Tap Edit.
- New limits will get updated whenever the child device is online next.
You can let your child spend more time on their device for the day without changing their daily limit or bedtime schedule.
- Open the Family Link app
.
- Select your child.
- On the card for one of your child's Android or Chromebook devices, the
Bonus time chip will appear when your child’s device is locking soon or if your child’s device has already locked.
- Tap
Bonus time.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to give your child bonus time for the day.
With a parent's device
- Open the Family Link app
.
- Select your child.
- On the "Bedtime" card, tap Edit schedule and follow the on-screen instructions.
With your child's device
- On your child's device, open Settings
.
- On Android versions 8.1 (O) and later, tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- On other Android versions, tap Google
Parental controls.
- To view the current settings, tap Bedtime.
- To edit Bedtime settings, sign in or use your Parent Access Code to verify that you are a parent.
- Open the Family Link app
.
- Select your child.
- On the card for one of your child's Android devices, tap Lock now 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.
You can disable screen time limits from the Family Link app on your device.
You can also disable screen time limits by going to families.google.com on a web browser:
- Sign in with the Google Account you use to supervise your child.
- Select your child.
- Select More
Disable.
Tip: You can use the Family Link app
to re-enable screen time limits.