Key Takeaways
- The fastest method is to ask the parent or guardian who set up Family Link to remove it from their own device through the Family Link app.
- If you own the device and set it up yourself, you can factory reset it, though this erases all data on the phone.
- Removing your Google account from the device and signing back in with a different account bypasses some restrictions but not all.
- If Family Link was set up by someone else on a device you own, you may need to prove ownership to Google or contact the account holder directly.
Ask the Parent or Guardian to Remove It
The simplest solution is to have the person who installed Family Link remove it. They open the Family Link app on their own phone or tablet, select your device from the list, and tap the option to remove the supervised account. This takes about two minutes and requires no technical knowledge.
If you're an adult and a parent set this up on your phone years ago and never removed it, this is your first step. Call or text them and explain that you need the restriction lifted. Many parents are willing to do this once their child reaches adulthood, and some simply forget the account exists.
If the person who set it up is unreachable or unwilling, move to the next method.
Factory Reset Your Device
A factory reset erases Family Link completely because it removes all accounts and data from the phone. This works on any Android device, but you lose everything stored on it — photos, messages, apps, contacts — unless you backed them up first.
To factory reset, go to Settings, then About Phone, then tap Reset or Factory Reset (the exact wording varies by manufacturer). You'll be asked to confirm; select Yes. The phone will restart and take 10 to 30 minutes to complete the reset. When it finishes, you'll see the initial setup screen as if the phone is brand new.
After the reset, do not sign in with the same Google account that had Family Link attached. If you do, Family Link may reactivate. Instead, create a new Google account or use a different existing account. Once you've set up the device with a new account, Family Link will not return unless someone reinstalls it.
This method works if you own the device, but it's destructive — use it only if you have no other option and have backed up what you need.
Remove and Re-Add Your Google Account
Some versions of Family Link can be bypassed by removing your Google account from the device and adding it back. This doesn't always work, but it's worth trying before a factory reset because it preserves your data.
Go to Settings, then Accounts, then Google. Select your account and tap Remove Account. Confirm the removal. Then go back to Accounts and select Add Account, choose Google, and sign back in with the same email and password.
After you sign back in, check whether Family Link restrictions are still active. Open Settings and look for Parental Controls or Family Link. If the option is gone, the restrictions have been lifted. If it's still there, this method did not work for your version of Family Link, and you'll need to try a factory reset instead.
Use a Different Google Account
If you have access to a second Google account, you can sign out of the restricted account and sign into the new one. This bypasses Family Link because the restrictions are tied to the original account, not the device itself.
Go to Settings, then Accounts, then Google. Tap your current account and select Remove Account. Then go back to Accounts, select Add Account, choose Google, and enter the email and password for your second account.
The device will now run under the new account, and Family Link will not apply. However, you'll lose access to apps, photos, and data stored under the original account. This works best if you have a second account already set up and don't need the data from the first one.
Contact Google if You Own the Device
If you can prove you own the device but someone else set up Family Link on it without your permission, Google may help you regain access. This is less common and takes longer than other methods, but it's an option if the person who set it up is unavailable or hostile.
Go to the Google Account Recovery page and select "I don't remember my password" or "I can't access my account." Follow the steps to verify your identity. You'll be asked for a phone number, recovery email, or other proof that you own the account. If you can't verify the account, Google will ask for proof of device ownership — a receipt, order confirmation, or IMEI number (found in Settings under About Phone).
This process can take several days and may not succeed if you don't have documentation. It's slower than the other methods but may be necessary if you're locked out of an account you created.
Prevent Family Link From Being Reinstalled
After you've removed Family Link, you can make it harder to reinstall. Go to Settings, then Apps, then App Permissions, then Device Admin. Look for Family Link in the list and tap it, then select Deactivate. This removes Family Link's ability to run as a system app, which makes it harder (though not impossible) to reinstall without your knowledge.
You can also go to Settings, then Security, then Device Admin Apps, and deactivate Family Link from there if it appears. Deactivating it does not remove the app, but it strips away the deep access that makes Family Link so restrictive.
If you want to remove the app entirely, go to Settings, then Apps, find Family Link, and select Uninstall. If the Uninstall button is grayed out, the app is a system app and cannot be removed without a factory reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing Family Link erase my photos and messages?
Removing Family Link through the parent's app or by removing your Google account does not erase your data. A factory reset does erase everything, so back up your photos and messages to Google Photos or another cloud service before you reset. You can also connect your phone to a computer and copy files manually.
What if I don't know the parent's password?
You don't need their password. The parent removes Family Link from their own device using the Family Link app, not from your device. If they won't do it, your options are a factory reset, removing your Google account, or contacting Google if you own the device.
Can I remove Family Link if I'm under 18?
Family Link is designed to prevent this. If you're a minor, the parent or guardian who set it up has the authority to remove it, and most of these methods require their cooperation. If you're being monitored unfairly, talk to the parent or guardian directly, or reach out to a trusted adult like a school counselor.
Will a factory reset remove Family Link from my Google account?
A factory reset removes Family Link from the device, but not from your Google account. If you sign back into the same account on any device, Family Link may reactivate if the parent still has it active on their end. To fully remove it, ask the parent to delete the supervised account from their Family Link app.
What if Family Link comes back after I remove it?
This usually means the parent reinstalled it or it was set to reactivate. Check your Google account settings and ask the parent whether they've reinstalled it. If they have, ask them to remove it again. If they keep reinstalling it and you own the device, a factory reset with a new Google account is your most reliable option.