What Family Link does and why you might want to change it
Google Family Link is parental control software that lets a parent or guardian set screen time limits, block apps, see location, and restrict what a child can download on Android devices and Chromebooks. If you're the account holder (the parent), you can change or remove these controls yourself through your Google Account settings. If you're the child or teen whose device is managed, Family Link is designed to stay in place until the parent removes it — there is no built-in bypass or workaround that keeps the controls disabled.
The reason this matters: Family Link locks down the device at a system level, which means restarting the phone, clearing the cache, or uninstalling apps won't remove it. The controls are tied to your Google Account, not just the app. If you're trying to regain access to your own device, the direct path is talking to the parent or guardian who set it up, because they hold the password that unlocks it.
Key Takeaways
- Family Link is managed through the parent's Google Account, so removing it requires either the parent's password or the parent changing the settings themselves.
- Factory resetting the device will not remove Family Link — it reactivates automatically when you sign back into the Google Account.
- If you are the parent and have forgotten your password, you can recover your Google Account through the account recovery process on Google's website.
- If you are a teen whose device is managed, the fastest resolution is a direct conversation with the parent about what restrictions feel unfair and why they should change.
- Some families use Family Link as a temporary tool during specific ages and agree in advance when it will be removed — knowing that timeline can help you plan.
If you are the parent and want to remove Family Link
Open the Family Link app on your own device (the parent's device, not the child's). Tap the child's account you want to manage. Scroll down and tap Controls on Google Play or App activity depending on what you want to change. You can adjust screen time limits, unblock apps, or remove location sharing from this menu. To fully remove Family Link from the child's device, tap the child's name, then tap the three-dot menu in the top right, and select Remove account. This removes the parental controls but keeps the Google Account on the device.
If you have forgotten the password to your own Google Account (the parent account), go to the Google Account recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number you set up with that account. Google will walk you through verifying your identity and resetting your password. Once you have regained access to your account, you can open Family Link and make changes.
If you are a teen and the device is managed
Family Link cannot be removed without the parent's Google Account password or the parent changing the settings directly. There is no technical workaround that bypasses this — the controls are built into Android and Chromebook at the operating system level, below the app layer. Restarting the device, uninstalling the Family Link app, or factory resetting will not remove the parental controls because they reactivate when you sign back into your Google Account.
The realistic path forward is a conversation with the parent or guardian. Explain what you want to do that the current limits prevent, and why you think the restrictions should change. Many families set Family Link with an understanding that it will be removed at a certain age or after a certain period — if that agreement exists, ask when that date is. If no agreement exists, propose one: specific times when you have more freedom, or removal of certain app blocks while keeping screen time limits, or a trial period where you prove you can manage your time responsibly.
Why factory reset does not remove Family Link
When you factory reset an Android device or Chromebook, it wipes the local data on the device but does not disconnect it from your Google Account. When you sign back in with the same Google Account, the device automatically re-enrolls in Family Link because the parental controls are stored in your Google Account settings, not on the device itself. The controls come back within minutes of signing in.
The only way a factory reset would remove Family Link is if you signed into a different Google Account that is not managed by a parent. But if the device is set up to require parental permission before adding new accounts, you cannot do this without the parent's approval. This is by design — it prevents a child from simply creating a new account to escape the controls.
What happens if you remove the Family Link app
Uninstalling the Family Link app from the child's device does not remove the parental controls. The app is just the interface the parent uses to manage settings — the actual restrictions are enforced by Google's servers and by Android itself. Even without the app installed, screen time limits will still trigger, blocked apps will still be blocked, and location sharing will still work if the parent has it enabled.
If you uninstall Family Link, the parent will receive a notification that the app was removed. They can reinstall it remotely through their own Family Link app, or they can see that it is missing and address it directly with you. Removing the app is visible to the parent and does not solve the underlying problem.
Devices that cannot use Family Link
Family Link works on Android devices running Android 7.0 and newer, and on Chromebooks. It does not work on iPhones or iPads — Apple uses a different system called Screen Time for parental controls on iOS devices. If the device in question is an iPhone or iPad, the parental controls are managed through Screen Time settings, not Family Link, and the process to change them is different.
If you are trying to remove parental controls from an iPhone or iPad, you will need the parent's Apple ID password or access to the parent's device to change Screen Time settings. The same principle applies: the controls are tied to the parent's account, not the device itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove Family Link if I know the parent's password?
If you have the parent's password, you can sign into their Google Account on a computer and change or remove Family Link settings from there. However, using someone else's password without permission is not recommended and may damage trust. A direct conversation about why you want the controls removed is a better approach.
What if the parent's account is locked or compromised?
If the parent's Google Account has been hacked or locked, they can recover it through the account recovery process at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. If the parent is unavailable or unresponsive, and you are a teen who needs access to your device, talk to another trusted adult — a school counselor, another parent, or a family member — who can help mediate the conversation.
Does a VPN remove Family Link restrictions?
No. Family Link blocks apps and enforces screen time limits at the device level, not the network level. A VPN changes your internet connection but does not affect how your device enforces parental controls. The restrictions will still apply even if you use a VPN.
Can I use a different Google Account to avoid Family Link?
If the device allows you to add a new account without parental permission, you can create a new Google Account and use that instead. However, most devices managed by Family Link require parental approval before adding new accounts. If this setting is enabled, you cannot add a new account without the parent's permission.
What if I think the parental controls are unfair?
Write down specific examples of times when the restrictions prevented you from doing something important — homework, staying in touch with friends, or a legitimate need. Present this to the parent with a proposal: what would fair restrictions look like to you, and why? Many parents are willing to adjust controls if they understand the impact, especially as a teen gets older.