You cannot bypass Family Link without the parent's password, and Google designed it that way on purpose
Family Link is built so that a parent or guardian controls access to a child's device. The parent code (also called the parent password) is the master key to that control. If you have forgotten it, Google does not have a "bypass" option — there is no secret code or workaround that unlocks the account without the parent's involvement.
This is intentional. Family Link's entire purpose is to give parents authority over what their child can do on a device. If a child could remove that control without the parent knowing, the tool would not work. So Google made it impossible.
If you are a parent who forgot your own code, there are real recovery steps. If you are a young person trying to remove parental controls without permission, this article explains why that is not possible and what your actual options are.
Key Takeaways
- Family Link parent codes cannot be bypassed, reset, or removed without the parent's Google account and recovery information.
- A parent who forgot their code can recover it through their own Google account recovery process, which requires access to their email or phone number.
- If a parent loses access to their recovery email or phone, Google can verify identity through other methods, but the process takes time and requires proof you own the account.
- A young person cannot remove Family Link without the parent's password, and attempting to factory reset the device will not work — Family Link is tied to the Google account, not the device.
- If parental controls feel unfair, the conversation to have is with the parent, not with the device.
How a parent recovers a forgotten Family Link code
If you are the parent and you have forgotten your password, start here: go to myaccount.google.com and click "Security" in the left menu. Look for "How you sign in to Google" and select "Password." Google will ask you to sign in again — use the email address or phone number connected to your Google account.
If you remember your current password, you can change it to a new one right there. If you do not remember your current password, click "Forgot password?" and Google will send a recovery link to your backup email address or phone number. Open that link and set a new password. Your Family Link parent code is the same as your Google account password, so once you have reset your Google password, you can use the new password in Family Link.
If you no longer have access to your backup email or phone number, the process is slower. Google will ask you to verify your identity through other information — like the recovery codes you may have saved, or answers to security questions you set up. This can take a few days. You can also try signing in from a device where you are already logged into your Google account; Google may let you change your password without sending a recovery link.
Why factory reset does not remove Family Link
A young person might think: if I factory reset the device, Family Link will be gone. This does not work. Family Link is tied to the Google account on the device, not to the device itself. When you factory reset, the device wipes its local storage, but it still requires you to sign back into a Google account to use it. If that Google account has Family Link attached, Family Link comes back immediately after you sign in.
The only way to remove Family Link from an account is to have the parent sign into their own Google account, open Family Link, and remove the child account from supervision. There is no technical workaround. Even if you delete the account from the device and create a new one, the parent can add Family Link to the new account as well.
What happens if you try to use someone else's password
Family Link is locked to a specific parent Google account. Even if you somehow knew another adult's Google password, it would not work — Family Link checks that the password belongs to the account that originally set up the supervision. Using someone else's credentials would also be accessing their account without permission, which is illegal.
Some young people ask a friend's parent to help remove Family Link. This puts that adult in a difficult position — they would be helping circumvent another parent's authority, which most parents will not do. It also does not solve the underlying issue, and it can damage trust between families.
When parental controls feel too strict
If Family Link restrictions feel unfair, the real solution is a conversation with the parent. Explain what you want to do and why. Ask what would need to change for them to adjust the settings. Parents sometimes set strict limits because they do not know what their child actually needs, or because they are worried about something specific. Talking about it directly is more likely to work than trying to get around the controls.
Some parents will adjust screen time limits, app restrictions, or location sharing if their child shows they can be trusted. Others will not, and that is their decision to make. It is frustrating, but it is how parental authority works. The conversation itself — showing that you understand why the rules exist — often matters more than the outcome.
What you can do within Family Link's limits
Family Link does allow some flexibility. A young person can request more screen time for a specific app or for the day — the parent gets a notification and can approve or deny it. You can ask to install an app that is currently blocked; the parent sees the request. These are not bypasses; they are built-in ways to ask for what you need. Using them shows the parent you are thinking about the rules rather than trying to break them.
You can also ask the parent to let you set your own bedtime or app limits once you reach a certain age. Many parents do this as their child gets older. If you want more freedom, showing that you can handle the freedom you have now is the path forward. Request features through the Family Link app itself — these notifications go directly to the parent and are designed for exactly this kind of conversation.
If a parent account is compromised
If you believe the parent account controlling Family Link has been hacked or is being used by someone who should not have access, that is a real security problem. The young person should tell a trusted adult — a school counselor, another parent, or a relative. That adult can help contact Google or local authorities if needed. This is different from a parent simply setting rules you disagree with.
Signs of a compromised account include the parent saying they did not make recent changes to Family Link, unusual activity on the parent's Google account, or the parent being unable to access their own account. If you see these things, report it to a trusted adult rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove Family Link if I know the parent's password but they won't give it to me?
No. Even with the password, you would be signing into the parent's account without permission, which is unauthorized access. Family Link is designed so the parent controls it, not the child. If you want the rules changed, ask the parent directly.
What if the parent who set up Family Link is no longer in my life?
If the supervising parent is unreachable or the account is abandoned, contact Google Support through myaccount.google.com. Explain the situation — that you are now an adult, or that the supervising account is inactive. Google can review the account and may be able to help, but it requires verification that you own the child account.
Does a factory reset on a Chromebook remove Family Link?
No. Chromebooks are tied to Google accounts more tightly than Android phones. A factory reset will wipe the device, but when you sign back in with the supervised Google account, Family Link reactivates automatically. The only way to remove it is through the parent account.
Can I use a VPN to get around app restrictions?
No. Family Link blocks apps at the account level, not the network level. A VPN changes your internet route but does not change what your Google account is allowed to do. Family Link will still prevent you from opening restricted apps.
What if I create a new Google account on the device?
If the device is supervised by Family Link, the parent can see all accounts on it and can add Family Link supervision to any new account you create. Creating a second account does not escape the control — it just creates another account for the parent to manage.