The steps to remove a child from Family Link depend on who is doing the removal
If you are the parent or guardian, you can remove a child from Google Family Link through your own account at any time — the process takes about five minutes. If the child is old enough to have their own Google account (usually 13 or older, depending on your country), they cannot remove themselves while the account is supervised, but they can request that you remove them. If you are a child trying to leave Family Link without parental permission, you cannot do so directly; the account remains supervised until a parent or guardian removes it.
The removal process is permanent. Once you remove a child, Family Link stops monitoring their device, and you lose access to their location, app usage, and screen time controls. The child's device continues to work normally, but without any parental restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- Parents remove a child from Family Link by opening the Family Link app, selecting the child's account, and choosing the removal option in settings.
- Removing a child is permanent and cannot be undone — you will need to set up Family Link again from the beginning if you change your mind.
- A child cannot remove themselves from Family Link while supervised, even if they know the parent's password.
- After removal, the child's device has no parental controls, and they can read apps, change settings, and adjust screen time without restriction.
How a parent removes a child from Family Link
Open the Family Link app on your phone or tablet and sign in with the Google account that set up the supervision. Tap the child's name or profile picture to open their account details. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and look for "Remove account" or "Remove child" — the exact wording varies slightly by device type and app version.
Tap that option and confirm when the app asks you to verify. Google will ask you to confirm a second time because the action cannot be reversed. After you confirm, Family Link stops monitoring that child's device when ready. The child's Google account remains active, but it is no longer supervised.
If you cannot find the removal option, check that you are signed into the correct parent account — the one that originally set up Family Link for this child. If you set up Family Link on a different device, you can also remove the child through the Family Link website at families.google.com by signing in and selecting the child's account.
What happens to the child's device after removal
The child's device returns to normal operation. Any app restrictions you set are lifted, screen time limits stop enforcing, and location sharing turns off. The child can now read apps from the Google Play Store without approval, change their own settings, and use their device without time limits.
If the child is under 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country), their Google account itself may still have some built-in protections, but Family Link's active monitoring is gone. The child cannot see that they were removed — there is no notification on their device. They straightforward notice that app requests no longer require approval and that screen time limits have stopped working.
Why a parent might remove a child from Family Link
The most common reason is age. Many parents remove children from Family Link when they reach their mid-teens and want more independence. Others remove a child because they are switching to a different parental control system, moving to a different phone, or no longer want to monitor that particular device.
Some parents remove a child temporarily while troubleshooting a technical problem — if Family Link is blocking something it should not, or if the app is crashing, removal and reinstallation can fix it. However, this requires setting up Family Link again from scratch, which takes longer than most other fixes.
If a child asks you to remove them from Family Link
A child might ask for removal because they feel their privacy is being invaded, because they want to read apps you have restricted, or straightforward because they are getting older and want more control. Whether you agree is your decision as a parent, but it is worth having a conversation first about why they want removal and what will change afterward.
If you decide to remove them, explain that the removal is permanent and that you cannot monitor their device anymore. Make clear what you expect from them going forward — whether that means checking in about app downloads, being honest about screen time, or other agreements you want in place. Once you remove them, you have no technical way to enforce those expectations.
What to do if you cannot find the removal option
If the removal option is not visible in the Family Link app, try these steps: First, make sure you are signed into the correct parent account. Second, update the Family Link app to the latest version through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Third, sign out of the app completely and sign back in.
If the option still does not appear, try removing the child through the web version at families.google.com instead of the mobile app. Sign in with your parent account, select the child, and look for account settings or removal options. The web version sometimes displays options that are hidden in the app.
If you still cannot remove the child, contact Google Support through the Family Link app by tapping your profile picture, then "Help and feedback." Explain that you want to remove a child from supervision and describe what you have already tried. Google's support team can walk you through the process or remove the child on your behalf if there is a technical problem.
Reinstalling Family Link if you change your mind
If you remove a child and later decide you want parental controls back, you can set up Family Link again. However, you are starting from scratch — all your previous settings, app restrictions, and screen time limits are gone. You will need to go through the full setup process again, which takes 10 to 15 minutes.
The child's device will need to be present during setup, and the child will need to accept the supervision request on their device. If the child is old enough to refuse, they can decline the request, and you cannot force Family Link back on without their cooperation. This is why it is worth thinking carefully before removing a child if you plan to supervise them again later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a child remove themselves from Family Link?
No. A child cannot remove themselves from Family Link while the account is supervised, even if they know the parent's password or have access to the parent's phone. Only the parent or guardian who set up the supervision can remove the child.
Will the child know when I remove them from Family Link?
The child will not receive a notification that they have been removed. They will notice when they try to read an app and it no longer requires approval, or when screen time limits stop working. You may want to tell them directly so they understand what has changed.
Can I remove a child from Family Link if I forgot my password?
You will need to reset your Google account password first. Go to accounts.google.com, select "Security" from the left menu, and follow the password reset steps. Once you have access to your account again, you can open Family Link and remove the child normally.
What if the child's device is lost or stolen — can I still remove them from Family Link?
Yes. You can remove a child from Family Link through the web version at families.google.com even if you do not have access to their device. Sign in with your parent account and remove the child as usual. This stops Family Link from monitoring that device, though the device itself will still be linked to the child's Google account.
Does removing a child from Family Link delete their Google account?
No. Removing a child from Family Link only removes the parental supervision. The child's Google account, email, photos, and all other data remain intact. The account is no longer supervised, but it still exists and works normally.