Pause the internet on demand or on a schedule
With Wi-Fi pause, you can pause the internet for a label or specific devices on demand. Or set a schedule ahead of time for regular routines like getting ready for bed or distraction-free homework time.
Pause and resume a specific device
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
tab.
- Tap the Family Wi-Fi icon
.
- Tap the Devices section. Then tap pause button
next to a device to pause it.
tab. 
.
next to a device to pause it.When a device is paused, a status bar beneath it will say so and the pause button will be purple. A paused device will also jump to the top of your device list.
Pause and resume a label
Before you begin, you'll need to first create Family Wi-Fi labels.
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
- Tap the Family Wi-Fi icon
- Tap the pause button next
When a label is paused, the status bar beneath it will say so and the pause button will be purple.
Add an end time for a paused device or label
Set a time to resume Wi-Fi on a paused device or label.
- Tap the name of the paused device or label.
- Tap Add end time and select a specific time to resume Wi-Fi.
Choose from 1, 2, 4 hours from now, Until morning (6:00 AM) or a Custom time.
Keep in Mind
If you pause your own device, you won't be able to access Wi-Fi on that device.
Create a scheduled pause
Automatically pause the internet for everyday events like your kids’ bedtime or family dinners. Just create a schedule, select the labels to apply the schedule to, and -- voila -- devices you choose will go offline and come back online, all without lifting a finger.
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
- Tap the Family Wi-Fi icon
icon (if you haven’t already created labels, you’ll be prompted to do so).
- After reading the schedule pauses intro, tap Set up.
- Choose a preset or create a custom schedule.
- Select your start and end time, then tap Next.
- Choose which days you'd like the schedule to occur, the tap Next.
- You have successfully scheduled a pause. Tap Done.
- To continue with site blocking, tap Block sites. Learn more about site blocking.
icon (if you haven’t already created labels, you’ll be prompted to do so).View upcoming schedules
If you ever need to see your upcoming schedules, do one of the following:
- Open the Google Wifi app and take action through one of the Family Wi-Fi cards, or
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
tab
Family Wi-Fi
tab 
Family Wi-Fi Delay or skip upcoming schedules
Things don't always go as planned, so you might want to postpone an upcoming scheduled pause, or skip it entirely.
To delay an upcoming schedule's start time by 30 minutes, do one of the following:
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap Delay 30min on the card for the upcoming schedule, or
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
to the right of the schedule
Each time you tap "Delay 30min," you'll delay the upcoming pause for an additional 30 minutes.
To skip an upcoming schedule, do one of the following:
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap Skip on the card for the upcoming schedule, or
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
Delay active schedules
Sometimes you might want to delay a scheduled pause once it’s already started. This allows the paused device(s) to get back online until the pause becomes active again 30 minutes from the time you delayed it. For example, if you delayed an active schedule at 6:13pm, it will resume the pause at 6:43pm.
You can delay an active schedule in one of the following ways:
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap Delay 30min on the card for the active schedule, or
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
Each time you tap "Delay 30min," you'll delay the pause an additional 30 minutes. Once you reach 30 minutes before the scheduled end time for that pause, you won’t be able to delay further.
End active schedules early
To end an active schedule before its scheduled end time, do one of the following:
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap End now on the card for the active schedule, or
- Open the Google Wifi app and tap the
FAQs
When should I use Family Wi-Fi pause?
Whenever your family needs a break from online distractions. Pause the internet overnight, during dinner, or when the kids need to get ready for school.
Can I choose which device to pause?
Yep. You can pause the internet on a single device or a group of devices. All your other devices will stay online. You can also pause a label and individual devices on top of that.
Oops, I paused my own device. How can I reconnect it to Wifi?
Here are a few ways to get your paused device back online:
- If you’re on a device with a data plan, turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi and use your data to access the Google Wifi app. Then re-open the Wifi app and resume your device.
- If you have access to another device with the Google Wifi app installed, resume your device from there.
- Tether a Wi-Fi connection from a phone or hotspot in your house and connect your device to it. Then re-open the app to resume yourself.
- Find another location with available Wi-Fi to connect and resume your device.
Can I pause more than one device at a time?
Absolutely. Just create a label and add whatever devices you want. Pausing a label will pause the internet for all of its devices.
What does "End pause on all" do?
It will end the pause on all your devices that are currently paused in a Scheduled Pause or through manually pausing the label or device. Your devices in Scheduled Pauses will pause again at the next scheduled time. You can click “End pause on all” from the three dots 
What if one device is shared by multiple kids?
You can create a label like “kids” with all their shared devices. But note: Devices can only have one label.
I tried to pause a device, but it didn't work. What gives?
Most internet activity will pause immediately after you press the pause button. However, some things like video streaming will continue to play for up to a few minutes after the device has been paused. Some video chatting apps may also continue after the pause session has been initiated. If your devices aren’t pausing the way you’d expect it to, please send us feedback via the app.