Google Family Link is parental control software built into Android and Google accounts
Google Family Link is a free tool that lets parents monitor and set limits on what children do on Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks. It is not a cloud storage service — it is a separate system that works alongside Google accounts to help parents manage screen time, app access, location, and purchases.
When you set up Family Link, you create a supervised Google account for your child. That account connects to your own Google account through the Family Link app on your phone. From there, you can see what apps your child has installed, set daily screen time limits, require approval before they read new apps, lock the device at bedtime, and view their approximate location on a map.
Family Link works on Android 7.0 and newer, and on Chromebooks. It does not work on iPhones or iPads. The service is free — Google does not charge a monthly fee.
Key Takeaways
- Family Link is a parental control system for Android devices and Chromebooks, not a cloud storage service, and it is free to use.
- You create a supervised Google account for your child and link it to your own account through the Family Link app on your phone.
- You can set screen time limits, require app approval, see location, and lock the device remotely from your own device.
- Family Link does not work on iPhones or iPads, and children can still use Google services like Gmail and YouTube through their supervised account.
How to set up Family Link on your child's device
Start by downloading the Family Link app on your own Android phone or tablet from Google Play. Open the app and sign in with your Google account. Tap "Create account for a child" and follow the steps to set a name, birthday, and password for your child's account.
On your child's device, go to Settings, then Accounts, and add the new supervised Google account. The account will automatically connect to your Family Link app. Once it is linked, you will see your child's device appear in your Family Link dashboard, and you can begin setting rules.
If your child already has a regular Google account, you cannot convert it to a supervised account — you must create a new one. Your child will need to use this new account to sign into their device.
What you can control with Family Link
Family Link gives you control over several categories. App management lets you see every app installed on the device and block specific ones. You can also require your child to ask your permission before downloading any new app from Google Play — when they request an app, you get a notification and can approve or deny it from your phone.
Screen time limits let you set how many hours per day your child can use the device. When the limit is reached, the device locks until the next day. You can set different limits for different days of the week, and you can temporarily extend the limit from your phone if needed.
Bedtime mode locks the device at a time you choose — useful for keeping screens out of the bedroom at night. Location sharing shows your child's approximate location on a map in your Family Link app, updated roughly every few minutes. You can also see which apps your child is using and for how long.
You cannot see the content of messages, emails, or browsing history through Family Link itself. If you want to monitor web activity, you need to set up Google Safe Browsing, which blocks known dangerous sites but does not log what your child visits.
What your child can still do with a supervised account
A supervised Google account is a full Google account. Your child can use Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Classroom, and any other Google service normally. They can sign into apps that use Google sign-in. The supervision only controls the device itself and app downloads — it does not restrict what they can do inside those services.
If you want to limit YouTube content, you can turn on Restricted Mode in YouTube settings, but that is a YouTube feature, not a Family Link feature. Similarly, you can set a Google Play content rating filter to hide apps rated for older ages, but your child can still request them and you can approve them.
Your child can still use Google services on other devices — a school computer, a friend's phone, a library tablet — as long as they sign in with their supervised account. Family Link only controls the device it is installed on.
When Family Link stops working
Family Link supervision ends automatically when your child turns 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country — it varies by location). At that point, the account becomes a regular unsupervised Google account, and you lose access to the Family Link controls. Your child will get a notification that supervision has ended.
You can also manually remove supervision at any time by opening Family Link, selecting your child's account, going to Settings, and tapping "Remove account." Once removed, the account is no longer supervised, and you cannot re-enable Family Link on that account.
If your child's device is lost, stolen, or factory reset, Family Link will no longer work on that device. You can remove the device from your Family Link account and set up Family Link on a new device instead.
Family Link on Chromebooks
Family Link works on Chromebooks the same way it works on Android phones. Your child signs into the Chromebook with their supervised Google account, and you control the device from your Family Link app. You can set screen time limits, require app approval, and see location (though location is less useful on a stationary computer).
On a Chromebook, you can also restrict which websites your child can visit by setting up a supervised user account in Chrome. This is separate from Family Link but works alongside it — you can block entire categories of sites or specific URLs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child turn off Family Link or delete the supervised account?
No. Your child cannot remove Family Link, change the account password, or delete the account without your permission. They can see that supervision is active in their device settings, but they cannot disable it. If they forget the password, they can request a reset, which sends a notification to your Family Link app.
What happens if my child uses a different device?
Family Link only controls the specific device it is set up on. If your child uses a school computer, a friend's phone, or a tablet without Family Link installed, your controls do not explore to that device. They can still use their supervised Google account on those devices, but you cannot see what they are doing or set limits.
Can I see what websites my child visits?
Family Link does not log browsing history. You can turn on Google Safe Browsing to block known dangerous sites, but it does not show you a list of visited websites. If you need detailed web monitoring, you would need a separate parental control app or your router's built-in controls.
Does Family Link work if my child is offline?
Screen time limits and bedtime mode work offline — the device will lock at the scheduled time even without internet. However, you cannot see location, approve apps, or lock the device remotely if there is no internet connection. Once the device reconnects, your Family Link app will sync with the latest information.
Can I set different rules for different times of day?
You can set different screen time limits for different days of the week, but you cannot set different limits for different times within a single day. Bedtime mode locks the device at one set time each night. If you need more granular control, you would need a third-party parental control app.