Create a Google Account for your child

You can create a Google Account for your child under the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your country) and manage it using Family Link. With Google Accounts, children get access to Google products like Search, Chrome and Gmail, and you can set up basic digital ground rules to supervise them. 

If your child uses a Pixel Tablet and is under nine years old, you can create a Google Account without a Gmail address and password.

If you want to add a functional Gmail address to your child's account, you can do so at any time.

Tip: You may need to add a Gmail address and password to your child's account to enable them to access certain apps and services. You can upgrade your child's account from a blocked app or through Family Link.

Create an account

It takes about 15 minutes to create your child's Google Account.

With the Family Link app

Important: If you live in the European Union and your child is between 13 and 15 years old, follow the steps to set up a new Android device instead.

1. Open the Family Link app .
   • If you don't have the Family Link app, visit the Family Link setup page to get started.
2. At the top left, tap Menu   Add child .
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. When you're done, you'll get an on-screen confirmation.

On a new Android device

Follow these steps to create a Google Account for your child under the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your country) when you're setting up a new device running Android 5.1 or up.

1. Turn on the new device and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the device.
2. When you're asked to sign in with your Google Account, tap Create new account. If you don't see 'Create new account', tap More options first. 
3. Enter your child's name, date of birth, gender, email address and password.
4. Follow the instructions to sign in with your own Google Account, provide parental consent and choose your child's settings.

On a new Chromebook

Follow these steps to create a Google Account for a child under the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your country) when you're setting up a new device running ChromeOS M71 or up.

1. Turn on the new device and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the device.
2. When you're asked to sign in with your Google Account, tap Create new account. If you don't see 'Create new account', tap More options first. 
3. Enter your child's name, date of birth, gender, email address and password
4. Follow the instructions to sign in with your own Google Account, provide parental consent and choose your child's settings.

On an Android device that's already set up

Follow these steps to create a Google Account for a child under the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your country) to sign them in to an existing device running Android 5.1 or up.

Note: Instructions for adding and removing accounts on the device will vary. If the instructions below don't work, search your device's Help Centre for more information.

1. Remove any existing accounts on the device.
2. Delete any apps, photos or other data from the device that you don't want your child to have access to.
3. Follow the steps to add a new account to the device.
4. When you're asked to sign in with your Google Account, tap Create new account. If you don't see 'Create new account', tap More options first. 
5. Enter your child's name, date of birth, gender, email address and password.
6. Follow the instructions to sign in with your own Google Account, provide parental consent and choose your child's settings.

On a new Pixel Tablet

Create an account without a Gmail address and password

Important: To create your child's Google Account without a Gmail address and password, you need to sign in with your parent account first.

1. Turn on the Pixel Tablet and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the device with the parent account.
2. Go to Settings .
3. Tap System  Multiple users.
4. Turn on 'Allow multiple users'  Add child.
5. When prompted, tap Yes, continue.
6. Enter your child's name, then tap Next.
7. Enter your child's basic information, then tap Next.
8. You'll get the option to continue with or without a Gmail address. Select Yes, continue without one and follow the on-screen prompts to choose a profile picture.
9. Review the privacy information.
10. To provide consent, enter the password tied to your parent Google Account, then tap Next.
11. Review settings for parental controls, then tap Next.
12. Review screens, then tap Next.
13. When you're done, you'll get an on-screen confirmation.

Tip: See something that looks like an email address (@glimitedaccount.com)? This is auto-generated to help us provide your child services and is not a valid email address.

Create an account with a Gmail address and password

You can give your child access to Google products like Search, Chrome and Gmail when you create a child account with an email and password.

1. Turn on the Pixel Tablet and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the device. 
2. When asked to create a Google Account:
   • Tap For my child  Next  Yes, continue.
3. Enter your child's name, date of birth, gender, email address and password.
4. Follow the instructions to sign in with your own Google Account, provide parental consent and choose your child's settings.

When you're done, you'll get an on-screen confirmation.

On other devices and computers

1. Go to the Create your Google Account page.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your child’s account. You’ll enter information such as your child’s name, the email address they want and their date of birth.
3. Sign in with your own Google Account and choose a way to provide parental consent for your child’s account.
4. When you've finished creating the account, you’ll see a confirmation on the screen.

Troubleshoot problems

I'd like to manage an existing Google Account with Family Link

Learn how to add supervision to your child's existing Google Account.

I'd like to delete an existing Google Account and then recreate it in Family Link

Gmail addresses can only be used once. If you delete an email address, you won't be able to reuse it later.

My child has a Google Account through their school

You can add their school account as another user on their Android device. However, Family Link parental supervision features won't apply to this account.

I'd like to manage a Google Account for my child who is over the age of 13 (or the applicable age in my country)

If a child over the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your country) wants a Google Account, they can create their own account. Then, you can add supervision to your child's account.

I want to upgrade my child's account with Gmail and password

You can upgrade your child's Google Account to include a Gmail address and password so that they can access more features.

When your child tries to access a blocked app, they'll get the option to tap 'Ask a parent' or 'OK'.

If they select 'Ask a parent', you can upgrade the account through your parent account.

Upgrade your child's account from their device

When your child tries to access a blocked app, they'll get the message 'Your parent will need to add a Gmail address and password to your Google Account'.

1. Tap Ask a parent.
2. When prompted, tap Parent is here.
3. Select your parent account.
4. Enter your password.
5. Enter your child's basic information, then tap Next.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a Gmail address and password for your child.
7. Tap Next.
8. Review the privacy information and provide consent.
9. When you're done, you'll get an on-screen confirmation. 

Upgrade your child's account from your device

When your child tries to access a blocked app, they'll get the message 'Your parent will need to add a Gmail address and password to your Google Account'.

1. Tap Ask a parent.
2. On your child's device, ask your child to tap Yes, email my parent.
3. The child's device gets a notification that an email has been sent.
4. Tap OK.
5. On your parent device, find the email and tap Change account.
   • If you're prompted to, add your child's date of birth.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a Gmail address and password.
7. Review the privacy information.
8. To provide consent, enter the password tied to your Google Account and tap Next.
9. Tap Done.

I was charged a fee to set up my child's account

To create a Google Account for your child, you're required to give parental consent. One way to provide consent is by using your credit card. While you won't be charged a fee, a temporary authorisation may be placed on your card to verify that it's valid. In most cases, temporary authorisations are removed from your account within 48 hours.