Manage your child's screen time

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 Android N+ devices. 

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

  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. On the "Daily limit" card, tap Set up or Edit limits.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to set daily limits.
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.

Set time limits for apps your child uses 

If your child's Android device is running Android Nougat or newer, you can set time limits on apps to manage how much time your child can spend on a specific app each day. 
  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link. 
  2. Select your child. 
  3. On the "Today's activity" card, tap Set limits.
  4. Next to your desired app, tap Empty hourglass and then Set limit Set limit. 
  5. Set a daily time limit for the app. 
  6. 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 Android N+ devices. 

Change time limits for apps your child uses

To update a time limit on a specific application: 
  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link and select your child. 
  2. On the "Today's activity" card, tap More. 
  3. Next to your desired app, tap Blue hourglass  and then Edit limit Set limit. 
  4. Change the time limit to your desired amount. 
    1. To remove a limit, tap Delete limit. 
  5. Tap Edit. 
  6. New limits will get updated whenever the child device is online next. 

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 bedtime schedule. 
  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. On the card for one of your child's Android or Chromebook devices, the Bonus time Bonus time chip will appear when your child’s device is locking soon or if your child’s device has already locked.
  4. Tap Bonus time Bonus time. 
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to give your child bonus time for the day.

Set a bedtime

  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. On the "Bedtime" card, tap Edit schedule.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to set a bedtime.

Lock or unlock your child's Android device or Chromebook

  1. Open the Family Link app Family Link.
  2. Select your child.
  3. On the card for one of your child's Android devices, tap Lock now or Unlock.
Note: You can also use a parent access code to unlock your child's Android device or Chromebook if it isn't connected to the Internet.
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