How to remove Family Link depends on who set it up and what device you're using
If you set up Google Family Link on your own device as a parent, you can remove it yourself through your Google Account settings. If a parent or guardian set it up on your device and you don't have their password, you'll need either their permission or to verify your identity to Google — there's no backdoor around this, and that's intentional.
The process differs between Android phones, Chromebooks, and iPhones. On Android, you remove it from Settings. On a Chromebook, you sign out of the supervised account. On iPhone or iPad, a parent must remove it from their Family Link app or account settings. The key difference: Android and Chromebook let the account holder remove it themselves; Apple devices require the parent to initiate the removal.
Key Takeaways
- On Android phones, go to Settings, tap your account name, select Family Link, and choose to remove the supervised account — you need the parent's password to confirm.
- On Chromebooks, sign out of the supervised account and sign in with a different Google Account that isn't managed by Family Link.
- On iPhones and iPads, only the parent who set up Family Link can remove it through their Family Link app or Google Account settings.
- If you don't know the parent's password and they won't remove it, you can contact Google Support to verify your identity and request removal if you're over 18.
- Resetting your device to factory settings removes Family Link but also erases all your data, and the parent can set it up again when ready if they have access to the device.
Removing Family Link on Android phones and tablets
Open Settings and tap your name or account icon at the top. Select Google, then Manage your Google Account. Go to the Family tab and look for the supervised account you want to remove. Tap it, then select Remove account. Google will ask for the parent's password to confirm — you cannot skip this step.
If you're the parent removing your own supervision of a child's account, the process is the same, but you'll use your own password. The account itself stays on the device; only the Family Link restrictions are removed. The child can then use the account without parental controls, though they'll still be part of your family group in Google's system.
Removing Family Link on Chromebooks
On a Chromebook, Family Link is tied to the user account itself, not the device. To remove it, sign out of the supervised account completely. Click the account icon in the bottom right corner, select Sign out, then sign in with a different Google Account — one that isn't managed by Family Link.
If you don't have another account to sign into, you'll need to create one first. Go to the Google Account sign-up page from the login screen, create a new account, and then sign in with that account instead. The supervised account remains on the Chromebook, but you're no longer using it, so Family Link restrictions no longer explore to your activity on that device.
Removing Family Link on iPhones and iPads
On Apple devices, the parent must remove Family Link through their own Family Link app or Google Account settings. You cannot remove it yourself, even if you know the parent's password. The parent opens the Family Link app, selects your account, taps the menu icon, and chooses Remove account.
Alternatively, the parent can go to myaccount.google.com, select the Family tab, find your account, and remove it from there. If the parent has lost access to their account or won't remove it, you'll need to contact Google Support and verify your identity as the account holder to request removal.
What happens if you don't have the parent's password
If you're over 18 and the parent won't remove Family Link, you can contact Google Support and request removal by verifying your identity. Google will ask for proof that the account belongs to you — usually a government ID or other documentation. This process can take several days and is not may provide, but it's the legitimate path when the parent is uncooperative.
If you're under 18, Google's policy is that the parent or guardian must authorize removal. You can ask the parent to remove it, explain why you need it removed, or involve another trusted adult who might help mediate. Attempting to bypass Family Link through factory resets or other workarounds will only delay the issue, not solve it.
Why factory reset doesn't solve the problem long-term
A factory reset does remove Family Link from your device because it erases everything, including all accounts and settings. However, it also deletes all your photos, messages, apps, and files — there's no selective removal. Once you set up the device again, if the parent has access to it and still wants Family Link active, they can set it up again in minutes.
Factory reset is useful only if you're planning to give the device to someone else or stop using it entirely. If you're trying to keep using the device without parental controls, this approach creates more problems than it solves. The parent will notice the reset, and you'll have lost your data in the process.
Asking a parent to remove it: how to have that conversation
If Family Link is limiting your access to apps, screen time, or features you genuinely need, the most direct approach is to ask the parent to remove it or adjust the settings. Come with specific reasons: you need certain apps for school, you're old enough to manage your own screen time, or you want privacy appropriate to your age.
If the parent refuses, ask what would need to change for them to consider removing it. Sometimes the issue isn't the tool itself but what it represents — a lack of trust. Showing responsibility with the freedoms you do have can shift that conversation. If the parent is using Family Link as punishment or control in ways that feel unfair, involving another trusted adult — a school counselor, relative, or therapist — can help mediate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove Family Link without the parent knowing?
Not permanently. On Android, you need the parent's password to remove it. On Chromebooks, you can switch to a different account, but the parent will see the supervised account is no longer in use. On iPhones, only the parent can remove it. Any workaround like factory reset will be noticed and can be set up again when ready.
What if the parent's password is forgotten?
The parent can reset their own Google password through the account recovery process at accounts.google.com. They'll need access to their recovery email or phone number. Once they reset their password, they can remove Family Link. If they've lost access to their recovery options, they'll need to contact Google Support to verify their identity.
Does removing Family Link delete my Google Account?
No. Removing Family Link only removes the parental controls and supervision. Your Google Account, email, photos, and all data stay intact. You'll still have the account; you just won't be managed by the parent anymore.
Can a parent remove Family Link if they set it up years ago and forgot about it?
Yes. The parent can remove it anytime through their Family Link app or Google Account settings, even if they haven't used it in years. They don't need a reason or your permission. If they've forgotten how, Google's support pages walk through the removal process step by step.
What if I'm 18 and the parent still won't remove it?
Contact Google Support and request removal by verifying your identity as the account holder. Provide a government ID or other proof that the account is yours. Google will review your request and may remove the supervision. This is not when ready and requires documentation, but it's the official path when you're an adult and the parent is uncooperative.